Kerrilyn Cramer – Tennis Official, Chair Umpire

From centre court calls to international travel, Kerrilyn Cramer has built a rewarding career as a tennis chair umpire. Since first picking up an umpiring badge in her teens, she has officiated at all four Grand Slam tournaments and now travels the globe overseeing high-stakes matches. Her story is proof that turning a hobby into a global career is more than possible—it’s within reach.

We spoke with Kerrilyn about how she got started, what it takes to become a professional umpire, and the best (and most challenging) parts of the job.

How It All Started

Kerrilyn’s journey began at age 16 when she joined her local umpiring association. “It actually started as a hobby,” she says. “I joined Tennis Officials Australia and started working local tournaments and eventually the Australian Open as a line umpire.”

After seven years, she moved into chair umpiring and started taking time off from her day job in customer service with a local council. “Eventually I was missing too much work for it to just be a hobby, so in 2001, I resigned to pursue officiating full-time.”

How to Become a Tennis Official

Step 1: Local Training and Practice

Initial training involves a few days of seminars covering tennis rules and basic on-court techniques. Once certified, new officials join Tennis Officials Australia and begin working local matches while being mentored and assessed.

Step 2: Climbing the International Ranks

The International Tennis Federation (ITF), along with ATP and WTA, run global training programs with exams and practical evaluations. The progression looks like this:

• White Badge: After Level 2 certification, officials can umpire smaller professional events and top-tier junior matches.
• Bronze Badge: Qualifies umpires for early rounds at major tournaments like the Australian Open.
• Silver & Gold Badge: Awarded based on performance reviews. Gold badge holders can officiate Grand Slam finals.

“You don’t apply for gold—you earn it through performance,” says Kerrilyn, who currently holds a silver badge.

What Chair Umpires Actually Do

Before the Match

“We prepare by setting up our scorecards or devices—we use PDAs at professional events—and check the court, nets, and supplies,” she says. “Then I ensure the players are briefed on match conditions: tiebreak rules, ball changes, Hawk-Eye challenges, and so on.”

During the Match

The chair umpire controls the match from start to finish, calling the score, overruling line calls when necessary, enforcing conduct codes, and managing on-court timing and crowd noise.

“Nine out of ten matches are routine,” says Kerrilyn. “But when it’s close, or players are acting up, the pressure can rise. That’s part of the job.”

Career Highlights (and Close Calls)

Among her favourite matches? “Umpiring Kim Clijsters vs. Martina Hingis in San Diego—both former world No. 1s—was a big moment,” she says. “At the Australian Open, the quarter-final between Ana Ivanovic and Venus Williams was another career highlight.”

Working with the WTA Tour

Kerrilyn is now contracted with the WTA Tour, which began formalising officiating roles to align with ATP and Grand Slam standards. “It’s great to have more job security and be part of a consistent group of officials that travels and works across events throughout the year,” she says.

The Realities of Life on Tour

“I travel around 30 weeks a year,” Kerrilyn says. “I’ve been to over 40 countries so far. It’s amazing, but it can be tiring, so I try to experience more than just tennis courts when I can.”

And while the lifestyle includes occasional brushes with tennis royalty—dining at the same restaurants as Roger Federer, for instance—she says most players are “just regular people doing their job.”

Can You Make a Living as an Umpire?

“Most line umpires start as volunteers or part-timers,” Kerrilyn says. “But once you reach silver or gold badge level, it’s hard to hold down another full-time job. It becomes your career.”

Still, the journey from line umpire to chair umpire can take 8–10 years, requiring consistent training, dedication, and travel availability.

Advice for Aspiring Tennis Officials

“You don’t have to commit to a full-time career right away,” says Kerrilyn. “Start small. If you love tennis and want to get closer to the action, join your local officials association. Then if you want to progress, there’s a clear pathway and a lot of support.”

Want to combine sport with a professional career? Consider exploring related fields like sports management, fitness and coaching, or event management.