As a line umpire you call all shots relating to your assigned lines. You 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. It is your job to signal a ball out by making a verbal "out" call ("fault" for a serve) followed by the extension of your 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. In case you might be unable to call a shot (usually because a player obstructs your view) you signal this by holding his/her hands beside his/her head, the upper side pointing in the same direction as the eyes; that call is then the chair umpire's responsibility. Moreover, you are responsible for calling footfaults. Footfault calls are made with a verbal "Footfault" call followed by a vertical extension of the arm with the palm open.
As a chair umpire you are 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 he or she is sure that a clear mistake has been made. As a chair umpire you are situated in a tall chair at the center of the court, behind a net post. From this position, you call the score of the match to the players and spectators between points.
The number of women working as professional chair umpires has developed
really positive within the last years.
That is a great sign for all women independent of their profession. 👩🏼⚖️👩🏻🔬👩🏽🔧
Let's support each other to empower more women to find their purpose and follow their dreams.
Women for Women.
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International Tennis Federation.