US Open Tensions Highlight Tennis Unwritten Rules, Player Conflicts

The 2025 US Open has brought to light significant tensions revolving around the unwritten rules and sportsmanship traditions in tennis. Players have clashed over customary rituals such as post-match handshakes, warm-up routines, and reactions to let cords, revealing how these long-standing but unofficial rules can spark controversy and emotional confrontations. Notably, a dispute between Jelena Ostapenko and Taylor Townsend highlighted issues of etiquette and respect, with Ostapenko criticizing Townsend's conduct and sparking a heated exchange. Similarly, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Daniel Altmaier's interaction at the net demonstrated that disagreements over match rituals are not isolated incidents. Experts and former champions, including Chris Evert and Brad Gilbert, emphasize the importance of maintaining dignity and class in victory and defeat, underscoring the sport’s cultural emphasis on sportsmanship despite recent frictions. These episodes illustrate how the US Open, as the season's final Grand Slam, intensifies emotional pressure and scrutiny on player behavior, challenging athletes to balance competitive intensity with respect and resilience.