Making History

History was made at the 2007 Australian Open. I’m not talking about the record crowds. Nor am I referring to Roger Federer’s title run. I am talking about the fact that Sandra De Jenken, an experienced tour umpire, was the first female to umpire a men’s Grand Slam final. There have been many men to umpire women’s finals at Grand Slams over the years so it’s really quite surprising that it’s taken so long for a woman to umpire a men’s final. Women’s professional tennis is the most successful professional female sport worldwide, but yet tennis still lags in certain respects, e.g. Wimbledon doesn’t offer equal prize money. It’s time for tennis to “get in game”…






