Jake Garner, the United States' highest-ranking international tennis official for much of the last two decades, will soon assume a new role: US Open Tournament Referee. Garner will ascend to the position beginning at the 2023 US Open.
As referee, Garner will act as the final authority on all officiating matters during the US Open, including but not limited to, making all of the draws, preparing the daily schedule of play, and ensuring that the tournament is conducted fairly and in accordance with all of the written rules, regulations and procedures of tennis. He will also approve official assignments and oversee the evaluation process of all on-site officials.
Garner had a decorated career as a chair umpire from 2006-18 before moving into officiating administration; reaching gold badge status, the highest level of international tennis certification for a tennis official, he chaired 18 Grand Slam finals, four Davis Cup Finals, a Billie Jean King Cup Final and the men’s gold medal match at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
Garner currently holds the title of Senior Director, Professional Pathway, Officiating, for the USTA, and is certified as both a gold badge chief umpire and silver badge referee. In 2022, he was the assistant referee to Wayne McKewen, who will continue on the US Open's team of officials as a Grand Slam supervisor. Garner was also the US Open's chief umpire from 2019-21.
Melanie Tabb and Andrew Walker will continue in their roles as assistant referee and chief umpire, respectively.
“Jake is one of the most distinguished and respected officials in the world," Stacey Allaster, US Open Tournament Director, said, "and we’re very confident in his ability, alongside Melanie and Andrew, to ensure that the US Open is officiated at the highest level of professionalism and integrity."
