In 2018, former professional tennis player John-Laffnie de Jager challenged every sportsman and sportswomen around the world to shake their opponent’s hand both before and after every competition. His theory is that the physical act conveys a sense of mutual respect. That, in turn, should bring out the best of the athletes from both a performance and sportsmanship perspective. I love the idea.
I first heard about this initiative while reading Own the Arena by former USTA president Katrina Adams this week. Since her book was finalized in the Covid-19 era, she recognized that handshakes can be problematic. However, she firmly endorses the the philosophy behind the idea. I have a proposal that I think could be equally effective for amateur competitive tennis while observing health protocol considerations that might be in effect.
In professional match, there is ritual that starts each match. It consists of a meeting at the net between the players and the chair umpire. There are usually some match specific instructions such as the location of the “shot clock.” The meeting always includes a coin toss and determination of service and side. The meeting at the net is officially concluded with a photograph of both players standing shoulder to shoulder at the net.
In my recent tournament matches, when the umpire ventures onto my count to officiate the coin toss, I have made it a point to ask them to take a “match photo” of me and my opponent. I am convinced that the simple act of reminding both players that we will forever be connected has a profound impact. Additionally, the photo will inevitably lead to a connection on social media.
On a bizarrely related side note, a few years ago I got a Facebook friend suggestion for a tennis player from another city in my USTA section. I didn’t know her and outside of the fact that we both played tennis, there was no obvious connection. We shared no mutual friends. The following week I drew her in a first round mixed doubles tournament match. Social media is creepy.
The advance knowledge that players will be forever connected (possibly through that creepy social media) should produce a similar effect as the handshake challenge. The since of mutual respect and camaraderie should bring out the best in competition and sportsmanship. The fact that we will inevitably both have to come up with something positive to say about the match on social media couldn’t possibly hurt.
I think that the pre-match photograph should become a standard part of tournament play at all levels.
- The Handshake Challenge, website, last viewed 10/8/2021.
It would also be nice if the recreational leagues would agree to use The Code as a basis for interpersonal relations during a match. Most pros do not even touch on the etiquette points of tennis, or the rules, and if you mention to an opponent that they are foot faulting, their first response is usually, “ We’re not getting paid to play; this is for fun!” Playing for fun does not mean ignoring basic rules of any game. We don’t teach kids soccer and then tell them that they don’t have to go by the files in their matches because they are not getting paid: that they are just supposed to have fun. You can have fun within the basic rules.