Umpire

There are two types of tennis umpires within the sport: line umpires and chair umpires.

The chair umpire is the final authority on all questions of fact during the match. Questions of fact include whether a ball was in, the calling of a service let or the calling of a foot-fault. In matches where line umpires are also assigned, the chair umpire has the right to overrule if they are sure that a clear mistake has been made. The chair umpire is often situated in a tall chair at the center of the court, behind a net post. The players’ benches are to either side of the chair.

From this position, the chair umpire calls the score of the match to the players and spectators between points. At the conclusion of a point, game, or set, the chair umpire times the players to ensure they follow ITF regulations on pace of play. The chair umpire is responsible for completing a scorecard, the official historical record of the match.

A line umpire stands at ready position, focusing on his assigned line.

The line umpire “calls all shots relating to the assigned lines”. Line umpires work on court as part of a team of between one and nine line umpires. Each line umpire is assigned to one line or, in the case of a short-handed crew, a position in a system. For example, a line umpire on the receiver’s side may have to cover the center service line then, following the serve, move to one of the sidelines.

The line umpire signals a ball out by making a verbal “out” call (“fault” for a serve) followed by the extension of the arm shoulder high in the direction the ball was out. A ball is signalled “safe” or “good” by holding both hands together knee high in front of the body. A line umpire who is unable to call a shot (usually because a player obstructs their view) signals this by holding their hands beside their head, the upper side pointing in the same direction as the eyes; that call is then the chair umpire’s responsibility.

Line umpires are also responsible for calling footfaults. When baseline umpires are being used, they watch to see if the server touches any part of the baseline before the ball is struck. Center service line umpires are responsible for calling footfaults when the server steps over the imaginary extension of the centerline. Footfault calls are made with a verbal “Footfault” call followed by a vertical extension of the arm with the palm open.

The chief umpire of a tournament “appoints and replaces or reassigns, when necessary, Chair Umpires, (and) Line Umpires…” Chief umpires are used primarily in large professional tournaments and are responsible for the recruitment and hiring of officials for the tournament. During the tournament, the chief umpire assigns umpires to courts, subject to overrule by the referee. The chief umpire also collects scorecards from chair umpires at the conclusion of the match and thus may furnish the media with any factual information they may request.