Since my first post on the subject, I've had the opportunity to work quite a bit as a line umpire on the ITF Pro Circuit, Challenger and ATP tours. I just reread my previous post from almost 17 months ago and believe that I captured the basics pretty well (even though I'd only worked 4 tournaments at that point!). Next month, I will work my 20th!
Now I thought I'd take this opportunity - largely the "off-season" - to provide some insights into what the job is like, some behind-the-scenes information, and even some cautionary information for those that want to do this type of work. I plan to do this here and in subsequent posts between now and the end of the year.
Firstly, among the three primary jobs that most tennis officials do - including junior tournament rover (and chairing), college chair and/or roving etc. - working as a line umpire is the lowest paying role on a per hour basis. Working college matches (e.g. ITA) is the highest paying position. Those in charge of setting the rates for line umpiring undoubtedly realize that the opportunity to be on the court with the top players in the game, and perhaps even appear in the background of televised matches, has real value, and hence can pay those officials less.
Working as a rover at a junior tournament is usually the first job most newly certified officials are offered. It's probably the hardest job because of the long hours per day on one's feet, having to deal with parents and immature players etc., but it does pay hourly. Therefore, after a long weekend tournament, especially if there were rain delays that made it even longer, there is some solace in that you are paid for every hour you are there. Depending upon the size and level of the tournament (and the referee that hires), you may get regular breaks, snacks and meals. Many smaller local tournament directors don't hire enough officials, nor do they provide breaks or adequate food. There are junior tournaments in most major metropolitan areas nearly every weekend of the year, including holidays.
Working college dual meets well requires a certain presence - to stand up in the pressure of the competitive environment, the appeals of players and protestations of coaches - but it's usually a short 3-4 hour day (with no breaks) for a set fee. Even the longer meets' pay calculates to an hourly rate more than twice the junior rate and one is usually paid mileage on top of it. Because it's the most lucrative of the official's roles, there's a lot of competition for the jobs available. It may take years of networking and doing a solid job to establish a season's worth of work, and the season is short (January-April).
Line umpires are paid a daily rate that translates to approximately what a junior rover is paid for 8 hours work. Of course, if there are a lot of matches to be played on a given day (usually the first 3-4 days of the tournament), the day will run more than 8 hours especially if there are rain delays. The good news is that you get regular breaks throughout the day, whether you're on court 40 minutes out of every hour or your shift is 60 minutes on, 40 minutes off etc. The food is typically good, but you usually share a hotel room with another official and receive very little if any compensation for travel expenses (except for ATP events). Although the last few days of the tournament's pay is best on an hourly basis (fewer matches, same pay per day), fewer officials (e.g. only the most experienced) are needed. You can find tournaments to work throughout the year, but few are available in December and January.
Lastly, most line umpires I've met are retired or have jobs with a lot of flexibility (own their own business, have a full-time job with lots of vacation or of the remote-from-an-office variety, or work part-time). To find work as a line umpire all but requires this as the first days of any tournament encompass weekdays. Most tennis officials with full-time employment work only junior events and/or college dual meets on weekends only.
