Wimbledon umpires banned from calling female players ‘Miss’ or ‘Mrs’
WIMBLEDON umpires have been banned from calling women players “Miss” or “Mrs” — and must use their last names only.
But they can say “Ms” if there is a penalty or a foul call.
The hit on miss, announced yesterday at the start of this year’s tennis tournament, brings an end to 135 years of tradition.
Fans are used to hearing umpires make decisions such as “Game, Miss Konta” or “Game, Mrs Williams”.
But the England Lawn Tennis Club, which runs the championships, thinks women should not be referred to by their marital status any more.
Wimbledon spokeswoman Alexandra Willis said: “We’ve got to move with the times.” But the change was rubbished by some people, including reigning men’s champ Novak Djokovic.
He said: “I thought that tradition was very unique and very special. I thought it was nice. It’s quite surprising that they’ve done that.”
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British hopeful Heather Watson, who cruised into the second round, admitted she hadn’t noticed but added: “Equality is always good.”
Last year the topic became a talking point when umpires called Serena “Mrs Williams” following her marriage to Alexis Ohanian.
Her sister Venus said at the time: “Janet Jackson had that song and she said ‘Miss Jackson’. I like that. I am ‘Miss Williams’, so . . .”
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