USTA Umpire Anti-Discrimination Policy

Our Umpire Anti-Discrimination Policy provides that all qualified chair umpires will be afforded equal opportunities to chair men’s and women’s matches regardless of their gender or race.

 

The USTA, where it has the authority to do so, will seek to assign qualified female chair umpires to men’s tournaments and matches in numbers approximating their representation in the qualified pool of applicants available for such tournament and matches.

 

Furthermore, the USTA, where it has the authority to do so, will seek to assign qualified minority chair umpires to matches, including later-round matches, in numbers approximating their demographic representation in the qualified pool of applicants available for such matches.

 

The USTA will urge USTA Pro Circuit tournament referees/supervisors and the chief umpires assigned to such tournaments to do the same.

 

For additional information regarding the USTA Anti-Discrimination Policy, see below.

 

USTA Policy Statement on Chair Umpire Assignment, Selection, Certification and Training

 

I.  USTA POLICY

A.  Diversity and Inclusion:  A Key Element of the USTA’s Core Values

Just as any good investor knows that you have to diversify your portfolio if you want to maximize its value, so the USTA knows that by making tennis open and accessible to all people of varied backgrounds, the value of the sport, the overall crowd appeal and the potential for high returns will increase. The USTA has made Diversity and Inclusion a Primary Strategic Priority and is committed to growing the game through outreach and inclusion, as defined by our USTA Board of Directors Approved Diversity Statement: 

 

We, the United States Tennis Association, recognize diversity as essential to achieving our mission:  to promote and develop the growth of tennis.  For us, diversity refers to differences of culture, ethnicity, race, age, gender, beliefs, religion, social and economic status, sexual orientation, family status, physical ability, appearance, and ideas. 

 

We are committed to achieving greater diversity throughout the sport and fostering a tennis environment that is more inclusive.

 

Pursuant to its overall diversity policy, the USTA hereby promulgates this statement on diversity in umpire assignment, selection, certification and training.  Please address any questions concerning this statement or the requirements for assignment, selection, certification and training contained in this statement, by email to the USTA Officiating Department.


B. Assignment & Selection of Chair Umpires for Tournaments

1. The USTA does not permit discrimination on the basis of gender, race, or any other prohibited basis in the selection and assignment of Chair Umpires to tournaments and matches.

 

2. All qualified Chair Umpires will be afforded equal opportunities to Chair men’s and women’s matches regardless of their gender. The USTA,  where it has the authority to do so, will seek to assign qualified female Chair Umpires to men’s tournaments and matches in numbers approximating their representation in the qualified pool of applicants available for these tournaments and matches.  The USTA will urge USTA Pro Circuit tournament officials  and the Chief Umpires assigned to these tournaments to do the same, and will take best efforts to include these assignment goals in future contracts with entities holding USTA Pro Circuit tournaments.  When asked to recommend Chair Umpires for ATP tournaments, the USTA - will seek to recommend qualified female Chair Umpires in numbers approximating their representation in the pool of Umpires qualified and available to chair these tournaments. 

 

3. All qualified Chair Umpires will be afforded equal opportunities to chair tournaments and specific matches regardless of their race.  The USTA, where it has the authority to do so, will seek to assign qualified Chair Umpires, regardless of their demographic background (i.e., race, gender, sexual orientation, etc.), to matches, including later-round matches, in numbers approximating their demographic representation in the qualified pool of applicants available for these matches.  The USTA will urge USTA Pro Circuit tournament officials  and the Chief Umpires assigned to these tournaments to do the same, and will take affirmative steps to include these assignment goals in future contracts with entities holding USTA Pro Circuit tournaments.  When asked to recommend Chair Umpires for ATP and WTA tournaments, the USTA will seek to recommend qualified minority Chair Umpires in numbers approximating their demographic representation in the pool of Umpires qualified and available to work these tournaments.

 

4.a.  The process for applying for Chair Umpire positions at USTA Pro Circuit events, is:

  • Step One.  Work to achieve a Chair Certification by the USTA

  • Step Two.  Register work availability with the USTA Officials Department in the National Office (ITF certification encouraged but not required).

 

4.b. The process for applying for Chair Umpire positions at the US Open is: 

  • Step One.  Work to achieve a Chair Certification by the USTA.

  • Step Two.  Register work availability with the USTA Officials Department in the National Office (ITF certification not required).  

  • Step Three.  Achieve Silver Badge or better certification.  All Bronze or White Badge certified Chair Umpires who are accepted to the US Open are primarily accepted as Line Umpires. 

  • Step Four.  File an application to work the US Open by the annual US Open deadline with the USTA Officials Department. 

 

5.a. In selecting Chair Umpires and assigning them to USTA Pro Circuit matches, the USTA will rely primarily on job related criteria such as:  (Not in any particular order):  

  • Availability

  • Performance rating or evaluation from USTA/ITF Certified Chair Umpires/Referees

  • Experience

  • ITF Badge Level (encouraged by not required for Pro Circuit events)

  • Adherence to the USTA Officials’ Code of Conduct

 

5.b. In selecting Chair Umpires and assigning them to US Open matches, the USTA will rely primarily on job related criteria such as:  (Not in any particular order) 

  • US Open Application accepted

  • Performance rating or evaluation from USTA/ITF Certified Chair Umpires/Referees

  • Experience

  • ITF Badge Level

  • Adherence to the USTA Officials’ Code of Conduct

  • Nationality of the Umpire

  • Whether a player exists on the Umpire’s “NO” List


C. Certification and Training of Chair Umpires

1. The USTA does not permit discrimination on the basis of gender, race, or any other prohibited basis in the USTA certification of umpires and in the selection of USTA-certified Umpires to be recommended for admission to the ITF for Badge School. 

 

2. All qualified Chair Umpires will be afforded equal opportunities to obtain each USTA certification level and to be recommended for admission into an ITF Badge School, regardless of their demographic background (i.e., race, gender, sexual orientation, etc.).  The USTA will seek to recommend for ITF Badge School admission all qualified Umpires who express written interest in attending ITF Badge Schools.

 

3. The process for USTA-certified Umpires to obtain recommendations for admission to ITF Badge Schools is:

Step One.  Work to achieve a Chair Certification by the USTA which includes attendance at a USTA Officiating In-Person Workshop. 

Step Two.  Seek chair assignments at Junior events, Collegiate events, or any events to gain experience. 

Step Three.  Express interest to the USTA to attend and then successfully complete a Chair Umpire Center of Excellence training. 

Step Four.  Seek Chair assignments at USTA Pro Circuit events.

Step Five.  Obtain applications from the ITF website or seek assistance to obtain an application from the USTA Officials Department and submit as instructed.  

  • Selections for schools are made by the ITF.  Should more Americans seek admission than seats available, ITF requires USTA to endorse candidates based on the following criteria, Performance rating or evaluation from USTA/ITF Certified Chairs/Referees;

  • Pro Circuit and ITF event experience;

  • Adherence to the USTA Officials’ Code of Conduct. 

4. Decisions for selecting Umpires certified by the USTA to attend USTA-operated Centers of Excellence will be based primarily on job related criteria such as

  • Recommendations from USTA In-Person Workshop trainers;

  • Experience;

  • Adherence to the USTA Officials’ Code of Conduct. 

5. The USTA maintains records of the names of USTA-Certified Umpires recommended for admission into ITF Badge Schools, as well as the names of USTA-Certified Umpires who attend the USTA-operated Centers of Excellence. 

 

II.  DISCRIMINATION COMPLAINT AND RESOLUTION PROCESS

 

A. Umpire Equal Opportunity Policy

The USTA does not permit discrimination on the basis of gender, race, color, religion, national origin, marital status, citizenship status, veteran status, sexual orientation, age, disability, or any other prohibited basis in the selection and assignment of Chair Umpires to tournaments and matches, or in the certification of Umpires and the selection of USTA-Certified Umpires to be recommended to the ITF for Badge School admission. 

 

B. Umpire Complaint and Investigation Procedure

1. Any Umpire who believes that he or she has been subjected to discrimination in violation of the Umpire Equal Opportunity Policy may file a complaint in writing with the Chief Diversity Officer of the USTA, either by mail USTA National Campus, 10000 USTA Boulevard, Orlando, FL 32827, , or via email at diversity@usta.com.  The complaint shall include 

a. the date, time, and location of the acts or actions complained of;

b. the identities of the person or persons taking the disputed acts or actions and any witnesses to them; and 

c. the basis on which the acts or actions are believed to be discrimination in violation of the Umpire Equal Opportunity Policy. 

 

2. The USTA will promptly and thoroughly investigate each complaint in an impartial manner and, to the fullest extent possible, shall maintain the confidentiality of all complaints and Umpire complainants.  The Umpire complainant shall be informed of the results of the investigation. 

 

3. If the USTA determines that discrimination in violation of the Umpire Equal Opportunity Policy has occurred, it will immediately take appropriate remedial and/or disciplinary action, up to and including termination of the employment or contract of the responsible party if the USTA has this authority. 

 

4. The USTA will maintain the records of the Umpire Complaint and Investigation Procedure, including those reflecting the nature of the complaint, the investigation conducted, the results of the investigation, and any actions taken as a result of the investigation, in accordance with applicable legal standards. 

 

5. No Umpire shall be subjected to retaliation or other detriment in his orher relations with the USTA for filing, assisting with, or supporting in any manner a complaint of discrimination in violation of the Umpire Equal Opportunity Policy.  If any retaliation or detriment occurs, the affected Umpire may file an amended or a separate complaint with the Umpire Diversity Officer to be processed and resolved in the same manner as specified above.

 

Click here for the 2024 US Open Selection Guidelines.