
From the archive: ‘You can’t be the player’s friend’: inside the secret world of tennis umpires
The Audio Long Read
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Navigating the Pressure: Life as a Tennis Umpire
This chapter delves into the demanding role of tennis umpires, exploring their unique challenges and the delicate balance between authority and empathy during matches. It highlights personal anecdotes that illustrate high-pressure situations, particularly when dealing with volatile players and public scrutiny. Additionally, the chapter addresses systemic issues within officiating, including evaluation methods and recent calls for reform in how umpires are assessed and supported.
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