After working at Grand Slam events for more than 30 years, Lars Graff, ATP Vice President of Officiating, was honored during his final day as a Grand Slam supervisor on Saturday at the US Open. At the end of 2020, he will retire from officiating and depart the ATP after 25 years for a new role as Co-Tournament Director of the China Open in Beijing.
Stacey Allaster, Chief Executive of Professional Tennis at the USTA and US Open Tournament Director, surprised Graff with US Open gifts in Arthur Ashe Stadium prior to the day’s first match. He was also honoured with a thank you message on the jumbotrons inside the stadium.
Graff worked his first Grand Slam tournament as a chair umpire at the 1987 US Open and eventually became a supervisor in 2012. He began his ATP career as a chair umpire at all levels of events, eventually transitioning to a supervisor before accepting the role of Director of Officiating Administration. He was promoted last year to Vice President of Officiating.
In July 2019, Graff was inducted into the Swedish Tennis Hall of Fame during a special on-court ceremony at the Nordea Open in Bastad.
from Tennis - ATP World Tour https://ift.tt/2EUKRid
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