WIMBLEDON has returned for another year of unmissable action from the capital!
But not everyone will get to step onto the hallowed turf of Centre Court at
It is even harder to get tickets for the action, with on day one in 2025.
The umpire is one of the most important people on the court, always making the tough calls, but will be helped by the at Wimbledon in 2025.
James Keothavong knows the thrills of being on the court, as well as the thrills of calling the biggest game in tennis - the final.
SunSport has everything you need to know about the umpire.
Who is James Keothavong?
Described as “royalty”; in the Tennis world, James Keothavong is an umpire who has worked 75 consecutive Grand Slams.
He has 20-plus years of officiating experience.
He is the eldest of four siblings, and has parents of Lao origin, who met in London and went on to live in Hackney.
The umpire went into officiating at 16, deciding that despite being ranked in the top 10 nationally at U16 level, he would not have the ability to make it all the way.
He worked at Wimbledon for the first time as a line judge in 1999.
His first Wimbledon Men’s Singles Final was in 2014, when he oversaw vs
Is James Keothavong related to Anne Keothavong?
Yes, James Keothavong and former British women’s No 1 Anne Keothavong are brother and sister.
They grew up together in Hackney, with both going on to play tennis in their youth years.
