September 4, 2013 | By Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
Photo credit: Adam Woilfthal
The USTA has announced that David Ferrer has received the second annual “U.S. Open Sportsmanship Award,” presented to the male and female professional tennis players who best demonstrate excellence in sportsmanship throughout the Emirates Airline U.S. Open Series and the U.S. Open. The Award was presented to Ferrer on Wednesday at the U.S. Open by USTA Sportsmanship Selection Committee Chairman Todd Martin.
“As relentless a competitor as David is on the court, he is just as respectful toward the game and his opponents,” said USTA Chairman, CEO and President Dave Haggerty. “David personifies what the US Open Sportsmanship Award represents and certainly deserves the recognition.”
The USTA started a Sportsmanship Committee in 2011. Its charge is to “educate and inspire youngsters and their parents to develop and exhibit a high degree of sportsmanship and an attitude of fair play and mutual respect on and off the tennis court. Underlying the charge is the ethical imperative that fairness is more important than winning.”
Eligibility requirements for winners include participating in at least two Series tournaments, as well as the 2013 U.S. Open. Each U.S. Open Sportsmanship Award winner receives a trophy and a $5,000 donation to the charity of his or her choice. The 2012 winners were Bob & Mike Bryan and Samantha Stosur.
