Aspiring Tennis Officials Can Now Sign Up for the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open Chair Umpire Programme
A unique opportunity presented by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council to become a certified Chair Umpire.
The Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open, presented by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, has announced an exciting new Chair Umpire Programme ahead of its 2025 tournament. This initiative offers participants the chance to develop officiating skills and work towards becoming fully certified Chair Umpires, while also enhancing the standard of local tennis officials.
Building on the success of the Line Umpire Programme launched for the 2024 event, this new initiative represents the next step in officiating. Participants will receive certification through the prestigious ITF Training and Officiating Programme.
The course will be led by Hany El Khafief, Chief of Officials for the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open. With over 35 years of experience in tennis officiating, El Khafief underscores the importance of nurturing local talent:
“Officiating plays a vital role in the long-term evolution of any sport, and in the UAE, we lack the number of officials to match the growth of tennis. This programme aims to equip participants with the skills needed to succeed while showcasing the wide range of opportunities available both on and off the court.”
Programme Details
The Chair Umpire Programme will run over two weekends in January (11/12 and 18/19), culminating in participants having the opportunity to officiate during the Road to MADO play-offs. This amateur competition is part of the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open, taking place from February 1-8 at the International Tennis Centre, Zayed Sports City.
The course consists of two modules:
Module One: Focused on the rules of tennis, Chair Umpire duties, match procedures, player code of conduct, and disciplinary actions.
Module Two: Dedicated to off-court officiating, providing training on handling scoring disputes, incorrect calls, and complaints about ball marks.
Graduates will play a pivotal role in the 2025 Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open, a key regional sporting event. For this edition, the tournament has reduced the number of overseas officials from 45 to 20, prioritising Abu Dhabi-based officials for the week-long competition.
Star-Studded Line-Up for 2025
The Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open has already confirmed a stellar roster for 2025, featuring some of the world’s top tennis stars:
Daria Kasatkina (World No. 9): A returning finalist aiming for the title.
Paula Badosa (World No. 12): Winner of the Mubadala Citi DC Open.
Beatriz Haddad Maia (World No. 17): A semi-finalist at the last two tournaments.
Ons Jabeur (Former World No. 2): Returning after injury.
Belinda Bencic: The inaugural champion from 2023.
Festive Ticket Offer
Fans can take advantage of the "25 to 2025" festive promotion, which offers a 25% discount on Category 1 and 2 tickets for the quarter-finals and semi-finals (February 6 and 7). Additionally, the first 25 ticket buyers using the code MADO2025 will win signed memorabilia, and 25 Category 1 ticket holders will be randomly upgraded to hospitality packages.
Tickets start at just AED 25, with free entry for children during the first five days of the tournament. Purchase tickets now at www.mubadalaabudhabiopen.com.
