Ex-umpire Jake Garner promoted to US Open tournament referee

Former chair umpire Jake Garner will be the new tournament referee for the U.S. Open as of this year’s tournament.



LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 08: Novak Djokovic of Serbia argues with the umpire Jake Garner of the United States on day six of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 8, 2017 in London, England.  (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
© 2017 Getty Images

NEW YORK (AP) — Former chair umpire Jake Garner will be the new tournament referee for the U.S. Open as of this year's tournament, responsible for making the draws, preparing the daily match schedule and overseeing all officiating.

The U.S. Tennis Association announced Garner's promotion Wednesday.

Garner was a chair umpire from 2006-18, overseeing 18 Grand Slam finals, and served as the U.S. Open's chief umpire from 2019-21. Last year, he was an assistant tournament referee under Wayne McKewen, who was the referee in 2021 and 2022.

McKewen will be a Grand Slam supervisor at Flushing Meadows in 2023.

Melanie Tabb will be an assistant referee and Andrew Walker will be chief umpire.

The U.S. Open, the year's last Grand Slam tournament, is scheduled to be held Aug. 28 to Sept. 10.