Jim Moore, Long-Time Queen’s Club Referee, Dies Aged 83 | ATP Tour


Jim Moore, the long-time Tournament Referee at the Cinch Championships, has passed away at the age of 83.

The former Australian player, who also played in international squash tournaments, presided over matches at The Queen’s Club in London for 42 years, covering the era of Jimmy Connors, John McEnroe, Boris Becker, Lleyton Hewitt, Andy Roddick, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray between 1978 and 2019.

Moore acted in the same capacity at Brisbane International from the ATP 250 event’s inception in 2009 until its most recent edition in 2020. He officiated at Davis Cup ties, was a regular behind the scenes at The Championships, Wimbledon, and was also a consultant WTA Tour supervisor for more than 12 years until 2007.

But it’s a moment involving McEnroe during the 1984 Queen’s Club final for which he is most remembered. McEnroe called Moore and supervisor Kurt Nielsen out onto court after the American disagreed with a line call at 2-5 down in the second set against Leif Shiras, who’d beaten World No. 1 Ivan Lendl earlier in the week.

After Moore was greeted by a three-minute volley of complaint from McEnroe, the referee listened to the chair umpire, Robert Smith, and finally the American star. Moore then said, “No, the umpire’s right. That’s it, you’ve got to go and play.” McEnroe responded, saying, “That’s it. That’s all you ever say.” Moore added, “That’s it, now go and play!”

Moore recalled the event in 2018 during a special presentation ceremony marking his 40th year as the Tournament Referee. “McEnroe was upset, he’s ranting and raving so you’ve just got to let him get on with it, and then tell him to go and play,” said Moore. “He called me and a colleague ’two bumps on a log!’ He was just indicating that he didn’t think we did anything.”

Chris Pollard, LTA Director of Events and Digital, said, “The LTA sends it’s condolences to the family of Jim Moore – our referee at the Cinch Championships for over four decades. Jimmy was much loved and respected by all of us, the players, coaches, officials and will forever be remembered with smiles on our faces as well as his.”

Jim Moore, tennis player and tournament referee, born 20 May 1938.



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