Local News

1. How did you get started as a tennis umpire, and what inspired you to pursue this path?
When I was in middle school, I fell completely in love with tennis. I loved everything about it—the court, the racquets, playing, watching, and coaching younger players. My world began to revolve around tennis.

When I entered high school, I started coaching younger players almost every weekday and on the weekends. I worked for different people and clubs, but one person, Art Abbott, was also an umpire. At some point, he organized a local USTA tournament and asked me to help with the desk. I gladly accepted the invite. I enjoyed how well-organized the tournament was and began researching how to become certified as an umpire.

I got certified in my junior year of high school. Rebel Good, the person in charge of my region, hosted my first certification clinic and asked if I wanted to do some college matches. I had never seen a college match in person, so I was excited to get started. I went to matches with Art Abbott to observe, and I loved the energy on the court from both teams and the procedures we followed.

I began doing regular college tennis assignments and soon discovered calling lines at professional events. I met Meg Farrelly from SC, who became one of my best friends in tennis and pushed me toward professional lines and chair umpiring. I fell in love with calling lines and miss my time in that role.

I went to college, and my playing career stopped almost completely. A few months into my degree, I knew I wanted to make umpiring my career. I worked every weekend during college, traveling to tournaments all over the Southeast. Each May, I would hit the road for professional events across the country. I earned my first international certification in 2016 in Mexico, and after graduating from college in 2018, I went full-time into umpiring.

2. Can you share some of the most memorable matches you’ve officiated, including your recent experience at the US Open?
I have been fortunate to officiate two main draw finals at the US Open: the Mixed Doubles Final in 2022 and the Women’s Doubles Final in 2024. I never imagined that starting at local USTA tournaments would lead me to matches like these. The honor and pride are unbelievable.

3. What does a typical day look like for you as a chair umpire during a major tournament?
Grand Slam tournaments are the toughest because they have more days than a typical tournament. I wake up well before reporting time to travel to the site and prepare for my match.

4. How do you prepare mentally and physically for officiating high-stakes matches, like a Grand Slam final?
We prepare similarly for every match because each match is equally important and deserves the same respect.

5. What advice would you give to someone interested in pursuing a career as a tennis umpire?
I have traveled all over the world and met thousands of people I wouldn’t have met otherwise. Most of my colleagues I now consider family. If anyone has any desire to be involved in tennis and make lifelong friends, they should give umpiring a shot. It’s not for everyone, but there are many areas to explore: community tennis, charity organizations, college matches, entry-level professional events, Grand Slams, and more.

6. When did you start playing tennis, and how did you get started? Did you play at one of our local high schools?
I grew up in Charlotte, NC, and played for Charlotte Catholic High School.

7. What do you like most about the sport of tennis?
I can’t name a single thing I love about tennis—I love everything about it. I love the smell of a new can of balls, the sound of a ball bouncing, and the feel of the racquet. I love the travel opportunities and the people I’ve met along the way. Tennis is my passion. Although I don’t get to play as much as I’d like, every time I step on the court, it feels just as magical as the first time.