Traditional Tennis Etiquette Faces New Age Tensions in 2025
From lingering handshakes to charged exchanges across the net, 2025 has been a defining year for tennis etiquette, probing the boundaries between tradition and modern sportsmanship. This year’s tournaments have brought to light the very core of what it means to maintain fairness and camaraderie on the court.
The Year of Handshake Controversies
The United Cup in early January kick-started the year with a less-than-warm handshake controversy involving players from the U.S. and Poland. This was merely the prologue to a year colored by the absence of standard apologetic gestures post let-cord points and some outright refusals to offer handshakes, adding a new layer of drama to the matches.
Sportsmanship in the Spotlight
The evolving dynamics in the sportsmanship of tennis players became increasingly visible in high-profile tournaments like the Roland Garros. There, players’ off-hand comments during trophy presentations and post-match antics showcased an emotional landscape that sparked debates among both players and fans.
Tradition Versus Modernity
Traditions like the let-cord apology and the post-match handshake have emerged as focal points in this struggle for identity within tennis. Some players have argued in favor of shedding these conventions to embrace a more “honest” style of play that aligns tennis with mainstream sports, as advocacy for free expression mounts. As stated in Tennis.com, this viewpoint neglects the roots of these traditions that are deeply embedded in sportsmanship and fairness.
Players Weigh In
A perspective piece by tennis professional Emma Navarro highlights the role of sportsmanship within tennis, reflecting on her experiences and affirming that a “cool atmosphere” arises when opponents share mutual respect. With camaraderie as a central theme, it becomes evident why traditions are cherished by many.
Taylor Fritz and Alexander Bublik are among players who publicly expressed their views on the significance of maintaining respect on the field, despite emotions running high in moments of defeat or victory. The latter’s choice to refrain from common gestures due to perceived slights by his opponent further illustrates the evolving etiquette landscape.
Controversies at Major Events
A particularly heated exchange occurred at the US Open between Taylor Townsend and Jelena Ostapenko over a point contested on let-cord etiquette, highlighting the tension between individual expression and established norms. Not to be forgotten is Zizou Bergs’s notable moonwalk celebration following a first-round win—while excessive, it ended with a handshake, reminding us of the enduring tradition that caps these events with civility.
Conclusion
This year has been pivotal for tennis, proving that traditions in their varying forms, be they the post-match handshake or game-time gestures, still arc over the sport like a guiding star. They form a bridge between the traditional etiquettes from which they sprang forth and the modern game’s evolving narratives, leaving a complex yet refreshing mark on the competitive landscape.
