How to become a (human) line umpire

To stage an international event like this week's Challenger Hamburg requires the dedication of many committed individuals. Ball kids, player transportation, tournament liaisons and much more must be organized and coordinated before and during the tennis.

Even the on-court staff had to make its way to northern Germany. For the line umpires in particular, this presents a unique challenge. Last year, the 22-member crew that monitored the baseline, sidelines and service lines at the venue of the Hamburg Tennis Association came from twelve different nations.

📲 🖥️ Stream ATP Challenger Tour Sioux Falls this week on the Tennis Channel app

How do you become a line umpire?

“You need a specific qualification to work as a line umpire at a Challenger event,” explains Vlada, a tennis umpire from the Ukrainian Tennis Federation. Originally from Kyiv but now living in London, she was part of a quartet we spoke to about this special job.

“Everyone has completed national-level umpire training,” she adds. Such training consists of a theoretical and a practical section.

Vlada holds an even higher qualification, the so-called White Badge. In the same style as Olympic medals—bronze, silver and gold—umpires can continue to progress up the ranks, eventually reaching top tournaments and even the chair. Vlada works full-time on the international tennis tour and has stood at the lines at ATP Masters events such as the Mutua Madrid Open.

“That’s my absolute favorite tournament,” she said enthusiastically. “The atmosphere there is incredible.”

How do you get assigned to a Challenger?

Selection is based on the event’s requirements and the individual officials’ experience. Line umpires can apply to take part in specific tournaments, after which the Chief of Officials picks the suitable candidates and invites them.

On court, they work in rotation: 45 minutes on, followed by 45 minutes off.

“At indoor tournaments it’s easier for me to stay focused. You’re not affected by outside factors like sun or wind,” explained Maria, a sports management student from Ukraine who lives in Kyiv.

“This week we have an outstanding team, I’d even say one of the best,” said Guilherme from Lisbon. He has been active for over a year and also worked at the ATP event in Estoril. He loves his home tournament, but his big dream is to be on the lines at Roland Garros in Paris.

On average, line umpires work 25 to 30 tournaments per year, which also means keeping an eye on costs. This varies from event to event.

“We usually arrange our own travel. The hotel is generally provided,” explained Miljan from Bosnia and Herzegovina, who has been part of this traveling circus for ten years.

Technology as a threat?

Miljan also points to a growing issue that economists would describe as the substitution of labor with capital. With the introduction of electronic line-calling at many tournaments, the job of the line umpire is becoming redundant. Technology now makes the calls on whether a ball is in or out, with only one chair umpire overseeing play. This is already standard at ATP Tour events.

“This makes competition among line umpires tougher, because fewer of us are needed,” Miljan said.

At Challenger level, however, this often-expensive technology is not yet a widespread option for organizers.

Activities off the court

Even though line umpires travel widely, there is usually little time for sightseeing. During a tournament week, they spend almost all their time at the venue. Especially in winter, when days are short, there’s little room for leisure activities.

And one important rule must always be observed.

“We’re under a strict alcohol ban for 12 hours before match start,” Vlada reported.