Linesman
What does the tennis term “linesman” mean?
What is a linesman responsible for?
Who is considered a linesman?
A line umpire is responsible for calling the lines on the tennis court and the chair umpire is responsible for calling the score and upholding the rules of tennis. Line umpires get to call the shots – literally – at all levels of tournaments, from grassroots all the way through to the Australian Open.
It might appear simple, but the best Line Umpires need to be able to concentrate for long periods of time, be team players, and (of course) require excellent eyesight. As well as calling the lines, they act as an extra pair of eyes and ears for the Chair Umpire.
Becoming a Line Umpire is the quickest pathway to getting on court at tennis tournaments around the world.