ATP Sofia Open features ALL-female umpire team to mark first time that happened in history

The ATP 250 event in Sofia became the first in history to feature an All-female umpire team and many praised it.

We never had in history an All-female umpire team takes care of an entire ATP event until this week in Sofia. Not only are all the umpires female but also other personnel tied to the event. The ATP supervisor is a woman as is the tournament director with the chief of umpires as well.

Kay Gokhindi, the tournament director said:

"To be honest we didn’t realise as it all happened organically for us. The tournament team was built with people who just love what they do. I’ve been involved with organising both men’s and women’s events and while they both have their special requirements, at the end of the day it’s the same thing — making sure to keep all the balls in the air, ensuring everyone is happy and that we continue to strive and deliver the best tournament"

The ATP Supervisor Anne Lasserre added:

“I think it’s an honour as well to be the first female. I worked as a chair umpire for the ATP a long time ago. I think things and the situation are evolving, which I think is a good thing. It’s an honour, I’m proud of it…It’s good to think about the future and being able to break this glass ceiling and give this opportunity to other females to do the same job like we do in every sport.”

Here is Holger Rune reacting to it.