Qualifying started on Tuesday, April 4, and the main draw of 16 started on Thursday, April 6. Because of the number of matches and a shortage of qualified referees, the single marker/referee system was used up to the semi-finals where the Marker and Referee system was used. As you would expect, the most contentious matches were in the Qualifying Round because players had to make the Main Draw to receive purse money for their efforts.
My most "interesting" match was a first round Main Draw match between the number 1 seed Renan Lavigne from France and a qualifier Greg Tippings from Wales. The match included some great play by both players and as the score indicated it was a well-fought match. The memorable parts of the match included: refusal to grant time for an injury that did not occur and the last call of the game. The last call came in the fifth game, score 14 all, set 1. After a furious rally, Tippings hit a loose volley center of the court half way between short line and front wall. Lavigne then hit a hard overhead volley cross-court. The ball hit the sidewall, nicked and came out across in front of Tippings. Tippings was prepared to return ball and asked for a let. Since Lavigne was in front of Tippings and if Tippings could have reached the ball - it was either a stroke or a no let. There was no graceful way out of this situation, i.e, Let. I saw the ball as a roll out and not playable, therefore - NO LET! To say the least, Mr. Tippings was not a happy camper. It seemed the "other" 50 referees in the crowd were evenly split on the decision.
I always try to take lesson from any of my refereeing experiences and this tournament was no exception. Victor Berg, one of Canada's fine players on the PSA tour, gave me a piece of advice, which I did take to heart. He watched a number of my matches and told me I was taking too much abuse from some of the players. (These players were very much in the minority.) He suggested a Conduct Warning or Stroke might help correct this imbalance. Unfortunately a few matches later I had the opportunity to put the advice into practice. The player in question abused his racquet and questioned my lineage at the same moment. Conduct Stroke was given and it was amazing how this player's behavior changed for the positive. I have tried hard not to get involved in any player's emotional tirades but when they try to take their frustrations out on the referee, a referee must maintain the boundary by applying Rule 17.
That's all from Atlanta and I hope Andre plans to have The Atlanta Open next year.
- Michael O'Brien