As tennis fans were celebrating the success of ACT local Nick Kyrgios at this year’s Australian Open, ACT was also being represented on the world stage by a number of ACT tennis umpires.
This year, ACT had 12 officials at the Australian Open. David Hinds and Paul Simper called lines on the Women’s Final between Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova, while Myles Emery and Lyn Hinds called lines on the Men’s Final between Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic.
Myles Emery was selected to chair umpire the Men’s Wheelchair Doubles Final, featuring Shingo Kunieda the winner of over 50 titles and current world number one. Emma Walter also had the honour of chair umpiring the Junior Boys Final on Rod Laver Arena, the launching pad for many players, including Nick Kyrgios who defeated fellow Aussie, Thanasi Kokkinakis in the 2013 event.
“The ACT has always performed well above its weight in terms of a small, yet dedicated tennis officiating community” explains Emma Walter, local official.
“It is very exciting to have local members selected for these matches as they have outshone over 300 other officials to be selected for these finals”.
“Tennis in the ACT is performing well on the world stage, not just through the likes of Nick Kyrgios, but with the opening of the new tennis centre at Lyneham, we are looking forward to attracting international tennis back to Canberra.”
There are many ways you can get involved as a tennis official – whether that’s getting out on the lines or being up in a chair or helping out off-court at a local tournament.
To find out how to become a Line Umpire, please come and join our introductory course on Thursday 5 March 6-9.30pm. If you would like to become a court supervisor and assist from off court, please come and join us on Wednesday 4 March, 6-9.30pm. Both courses will be held at the Canberra Tennis Centre in Lyneham.
To register for an upcoming course or for more information on officiating in the ACT please click here
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