The Loretta Phillips Sportsmanship Award

Sportsmanship is the ALTA mantra. Every season, thousands of members show up to play hard, call lines fairly, and treat their opponents the way they'd like to be treated. When someone goes above and beyond — on the court or in organizing a match — we want to hear about it.

The ALTA Sportsmanship Award, now named in honor of longtime volunteer Loretta Phillips, recognizes members who set an extraordinary example of good sportsmanship while playing or organizing their matches. Anyone can nominate anyone: a teammate, an opponent, a captain, or a coordinator.

What we look for

  • Fair and honest line calls, even when the point is close and the match is on the line
  • Courtesy and a positive spirit toward opponents, before, during, and after the match
  • Grace in both victory and defeat
  • Consideration for the visiting team — a warm welcome, a fair court, a friendly handshake

How it works

  • Nominations are open all year and are reviewed at the end of every season.
  • Fill out the short online nomination form — it takes about two minutes.
  • Award recipients receive a letter from the ALTA President, a sportsmanship bag tag, and recognition in Net News magazine.

Good Sportsmanship

About Loretta Phillips

Loretta Phillips
"Good sportsmanship, kindness, joy, and humility were always at the top of Loretta's lists — both on and off the court."

Loretta Phillips volunteered with ALTA for 33 years, beginning in 1992. She served as a coordinator and league vice president in the Sunday Women's league, sat on the Executive Committee, the Rules Committee, and the ALTA Board of Directors, and was inducted into the ALTA Volunteer Hall of Fame in 2017 after 25 years of service. She was elected ALTA's First Vice President for 2025 and President-elect for 2026.

Off the ALTA courts, Loretta umpired for Special Olympics Georgia, taught tennis through the Above the Net nonprofit, and coached the Henry County High School tennis team. She passed away on January 27, 2025. In recognition of everything she gave to Atlanta tennis, the ALTA Sportsmanship Award now carries her name.

33 Years
ALTA volunteer, 1992–2025
Hall of Fame
Inducted 2017
First VP
2025 · President-elect 2026

Know someone who deserves it?

Nominations take about two minutes and can be submitted any time of year.

Nominate Someone