DON’T COMMIT A FAULT
Cheer on your favourites, but leave your heckles behind while sitting in the stands
Know spectator etiquette before you cheer or heckle from the stands,
From high society crowds to high energy, tennis has evolved as a spectator sport. Where silence was once golden, fans are now encouraged to be boisterous.
Writing in her 1928 book, Tennis, early American star Helen Wills devoted a whole chapter to etiquette that matched the “conservative . . . spirit of the game.” She espoused quiet during matches and cautioned against large parasols blocking the view of others.
“While the etiquette of the grandstand at tennis may seem conservative, it is based on sane and logical reasons,” Wills wrote. “Tennis is a conservative and dignified sport.”
Rogers Cup tournament director, Karl Hale, says a lot has changed.
“Fans are way more engaged than they were 30 years ago. Then it was more hands on your seats, quiet please, and now it’s more of a rock ’n’ roll atmosphere where you’re encouraged to voice your support for your favourite player,” he says. “Fans feel more a part of the outcome of the match.”
Widespread television coverage helped change tennis etiquette. The “product is great on TV,” so the fan experience needed to be “unique and engaging,” Hale explains. While Wimbledon crowds are still reserved, the Rogers Cup and U.S. Open have a more celebratory atmosphere. Hale calls most fans’ behaviour “exemplary,” but says ushers keep their eyes out for those who cross the line.
Follow these unofficial rules and you won’t commit a double fault in the stands. DON’T Cheer at the wrong moment Do you want to be the one who disrupts a glorious rally or vital serve? Players rely on hearing the spin that’s on the ball to gauge its direction and speed.
“It’s really just the obvious,” Hale explains. “No disrupting of players, especially on the serve when they toss the ball — which is a big issue sometimes because that’s when they are concentrating really heavily.” Hoot and holler, but pick your moments. This isn’t a music festival or gladiator arena. Talk loudly during play Use your library voice. Applaud unforced errors or double faults That’s just rude. Heckle players Insults aren’t welcome, Hale says. You want to exhaust yourself shouting about an athlete’s poor play? Save it for the hockey arena. And that means no foot stomping or mocking chants either. Stay classy.
“The players fully understand the enthusiasm fans have for them and their opponents,” Hale says. The problem is if “a fan is doing something to affect a persons’ play in a negative away.” Take pointers from Australia Fans at this year’s Australian Open made international headlines for boorish behaviour — with one fan famously yelling at the most crucial moment of one of Rafael Nadal’s matches. Some players openly blamed belligerent fans for their first-round losses. Ask Eugenie Bouchard to twirl An Australian on-court presenter made that mistake and Twitter exploded. Best just not to ask any player to twirl, regardless of gender. If they wanted to twirl, they would have become ballet dancers. Leave your seat during play: Wait for a change of ends, when players switch sides, to avoid disrupting spectators’ view and distracting players. Andy Murray has called it “offputting” to see someone stand up behind the court during play. Yell at officials Again, wrong sport. Throw Toronto Maple Leafs’ jerseys on the court Be patient. You can wait until October.
DO Form a cheering section Support your favourite player as a group; they might take notice. In 2014, 300 Bulgarian fans sat in the top row and vocally supported Bulgarian player, Grigor Dimitrov.
“After the match, he came up to me and said he wanted to see the fans who supported him . . . and I took him up to those fans,” Hale explains. “So the players are fully engaged with the support of fans from around the world.” Be patriotic: “Be boisterous for your countrymen and women . . . we encourage that a lot,” Hale says. “It creates a really great atmosphere at the tournament.” Between serves and match play, of course. Put your phone on silent No rings or conversations during play. (Yes, you can still take a selfie.) Turn flash off You can take photos, but make sure your flash is off. Dress to stay cool and comfortable Tennis used to attract an “audience of well-heeled women, dressed in elaborate summer gowns, shaded by silk and lace parasols and escorted by men in formal attire topped with stiff derbies,” according to the 2007 cultural history book, Turning Points in Curriculum. But modern fans are often out in the sun for more than six hours — twice as long as other pro sports. Hale recommends light clothing and hats. Bring young fans “We get a lot of kids — 7, 8 and upwards — who are definitely tennis enthusiasts and fully engaged,” Hale says. Seek sun protection Hale recommends plenty of water, sunscreen and breaks from the sun. You may also want to bring a small parasol; some traditions are worth keeping.