US Open Tournament Referee Jake Garner has entered rarefied air in world tennis as a newly-certified gold-badge referee.
Gold badge is the highest certification level for tennis officiating, and Garner is now one of only eight officials worldwide—and the only American—to hold the distinction as a chief umpire and referee simultaneously. Garner was recently elevated from silver to gold badge status under tennis officiating's Joint Certification Program, which is administered by the ITF, ATP, WTA and Grand Slam tournaments.
It's the latest milestone in Garner's distinguished officiating career, which dates back more than two decades, and comes after he completed his first US Open as referee this summer. As referee, Garner acts 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 also approves official assignments and oversee the evaluation process of all on-site officials.
Prior to transitioning into officiating administration, Garner also held a gold badge as a chair umpire, and worked the tour from 2006-18. In that time, he oversaw a total of 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 Olympics.
Outside of his US Open role, Garner also serves as the USTA's Senior Director, Professional Pathway, Officiating. He was the US Open's chief umpire from 2019-21, before becoming assistant referee in 2022 ahead of his appointment to the top job in March of this year.
