The USTA Officials Department would like to remind all USTA certified officials of your obligation and responsibilities as a professional.

Socializing with players is strictly prohibited at all times including during and outside of events.  Officials are to immediately notify the USTA Officials Department of any and all conflicts of interest, whether actual or perceived.  As an official you are not to request favors or special considerations from tournament sponsors.

The Official’s Code of Conduct is the foundation for what it means to be a successful certified tennis official.  A USTA official is expected to maintain the highest professional standards both on and off the tennis court.  All certified officials are to adhere to The USTA Official’s Code of Conduct listed on the back cover of the 2007 Friend at Court.  Failure to adhere to The USTA Official’s Code of Conduct can result in a suspension of an official’s certification or decertification.

The USTA Officials Department acknowledges that a very high percentage of our 2,600 certified officials adhere to The USTA Official’s Code of Conduct.  At all remaining 2007 events taking place in North America, we are asking all chief umpires to talk about The Official’s Code of Conduct at their first umpire meeting.  At all USTA officials schools, in addition to the material in our training DVD’s, we are adding to the curriculum a section dedicated to discussing the overall importance of The Official’s Code of Conduct.  In addition, we are asking our more experienced officials to take on a leadership role and help to educate newer officials on The Official’s Code of Conduct.

As always, if any official would like to discuss The Official’s Code of Conduct, do not hesitate to contact us.

Rich Kaufman, USTA Director of Officials
Ryan Orner, USTA Officials Coordinator
Lois Huggins, USTA National Chairman of Officials