Setting the Standard: The Culture We Expect at Tennis Sydney

Tennis Sydney is more than a tennis club. We are a community built around inclusion, respect, fairness and belonging.

As one of Australia’s oldest and largest LGBTQIA+ tennis clubs, we have a responsibility to ensure that our courts remain a safe and welcoming space for all members, visitors, volunteers and supporters – and that is the responsibility of anyone who participates in Tennis Sydney activities.

Tennis Sydney exists to provide a welcoming, inclusive and safe environment for people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, backgrounds and playing levels to participate in tennis and social activities. We expect everyone to uphold the values of inclusion, respect and diversity. Discrimination, harassment, bullying or exclusionary behaviour will not be tolerated.

Our Code of Conduct reinforces these expectations. Members, players, officials and supporters are expected to treat others with respect, dignity and fairness; avoid abusive, discriminatory or aggressive language and behaviour; promote good sportsmanship and teamwork; play by the rules; and follow tennis etiquette.

These are not just words in a policy document. They are the standard we expect.

Tennis is a competitive sport. It can be emotional. Close line calls happen. Foot faults happen. Doubles pairings are not always perfect. At Sunday Social, competitions and tournaments, people will sometimes disagree. That is normal.

What matters is how those moments are handled.

At Tennis Sydney, disagreements must be managed calmly, respectfully and collegially. It is acceptable to raise an issue. It is not acceptable to do so in a way that intimidates, embarrasses, humiliates or unsettles another person. No one should leave our courts feeling uncomfortable because of another player’s temper, tone or behaviour.

Playing by the rules

Tennis Sydney generally follows the ITF Rules of Tennis, along with Tennis Australia guidance and accepted etiquette for non-umpired matches. Most of our play is self-officiated, which means players are expected to understand the basic rules and apply them honestly and fairly.

A few reminders are worth making clear.

• Line calls: Players call the lines on their own side of the court. A ball is only out if you clearly see it out. If you are unsure, the ball is in. The benefit of the doubt goes to your opponent. Players should not pressure, argue or repeatedly challenge opponents over line calls. If there is a genuine pattern of concern, raise it calmly and respectfully.

• Lets: If a ball rolls onto court, or another interruption affects play after a point has started, call a let clearly and stop play immediately. The point is replayed. In most cases, this means the point restarts with a first serve. Safety comes first, and players should not continue a point where a ball on court creates a risk.

• Foot faults: Foot faults are part of the rules. In social play, most players will not call every minor technical breach, but repeated or obvious foot faults can be raised. This should be done politely and without confrontation. For example: “Just a heads up — I think you may be stepping over the line on serve.” It should not be used as a tactic to unsettle another player.

Good etiquette matters

The way we behave between points is just as important as how we play the points themselves. Good etiquette helps keep play enjoyable, efficient and respectful for everyone.

Please observe the following expectations:

• If you hit someone with the ball: Check that they are okay and apologise. Even if the shot was legitimate and accidental, a quick apology is basic courtesy.

• Returning balls to the server: Return balls in a friendly and efficient way. You do not need to place the ball perfectly in someone’s hand, but you should at least send it in their general direction. Carelessly hitting or rolling balls away from people slows play and can feel dismissive.

• Supporting your doubles partner: Be positive and encouraging. Doubles is a team format. Your partner will make mistakes, and so will you. Criticism, visible frustration, sarcasm or negative body language can quickly make the match uncomfortable.

• Managing frustration: It is okay to feel frustrated. It is not okay to make other people feel unsafe or uncomfortable because of it. Angry outbursts, racquet throwing, racquet smashing, swearing at others, intimidation or hostile behaviour are not acceptable at Tennis Sydney.

• Welcoming different players: Not every doubles group will be your favourite mix of people or playing styles. That is part of social tennis. The expectation is that you remain friendly, welcoming and respectful, regardless of who you are placed with.

• Respecting court rotations: At Sunday Social, the courts are shared by everyone. If your match finishes late in the session, particularly in the final 30 minutes, do not simply stay on court and start another set while others are waiting. Check with the coordinator and leave the court when required so that other players have a fair opportunity to play.

• Respecting volunteers: Tennis Sydney is run by volunteers. Committee members, coordinators and helpers are members giving their time to make the club function. Constructive feedback is welcome, but it must be delivered respectfully and through appropriate channels. Volunteers should not be treated as salaried staff or expected to absorb frustration from players.

Raising concerns the right way

Players are entitled to raise concerns. If someone is repeatedly foot faulting, making questionable line calls, behaving aggressively, excluding others, or otherwise affecting the experience of players, it is appropriate to speak up.

However, the way concerns are raised matters.

A concern should be raised calmly, directly and proportionately. In many cases, a polite comment on court will be enough. Where the issue is more serious or repeated, players should raise it with the Committee or the relevant event coordinator rather than escalating the matter themselves.

The Committee will continue to take player wellbeing seriously. Where behaviour falls short of the standards expected under our Code of Conduct, the club may take further action in accordance with its policies and procedures.

The standard we walk past is the standard we accept

Tennis Sydney is a safe and inclusive club because generations of members have helped make it that way. It is something we inherit, but it is also something we must actively protect.

Our culture is shaped in small moments: how we welcome a new player, how we make a line call, how we respond to losing a point, how we speak to volunteers, how we treat a doubles partner, and how we manage disagreement.

We will not always get everything right. But the standard is clear.

Be fair. Be respectful. Be welcoming. Play by the rules. Raise issues properly. Support your fellow players. Treat volunteers with courtesy. And above all, remember that everyone at Tennis Sydney deserves to feel safe, included and respected.

That is the culture we expect, and the culture we will continue to uphold.