Official Spotlight: Adriane Welker

Adriane Welker remembers the moment she took the plunge into officiating like it was yesterday. When her oldest son competed in his first tournament, Welker noticed that the event was lacking on-court help. Welker mentioned her observation to the tournament director who then suggested that she could become an official to help alleviate those very situations.

The rest became history.

Originally from Brazil, Welker grew up playing competitive tennis and came from a family who valued the lessons and hard work the sport taught. Her brothers are also gifted players, the oldest playing for Texas Tech and Oklahoma State before reaching the top 500 in the ATP. Welker jokes that tennis was always in her future to become a full-time job.

Now a seasoned official, Welker has traveled across the Midwest, officiating in some of the most prestigious tournaments in the tennis world. Her favorites have included elevated Midwest tournaments, ITF Wheelchair, all levels of collegiate tennis and the Special Olympics.

Welker also had the exciting opportunity to be on court as a linesperson during the PowerShares Series in Chicago with Pete Sampras, John McEnroe and Ivan Lendl, heroes she had grown up watching and on television.

Welker says that while the officiating itself is rewarding, it is the connections with players and positive interactions that have kept her going in the sometimes thankless job.

"Some years back, working at the Special Olympics as a chair umpire, we had a different score card, and I accidentally messed up on a tie break score and announced it incorrectly," said Welker. "I immediately corrected myself when one of the players walked towards me; I said, 'The match is not over yet, please take your position to serve'.

"He said, 'Oh, I know it's not over, but I just wanted to tell you that you are doing a great job, don't worry about the score'."

While Welker says that she has learned a lot about herself and the game through this position, she is still put to the test during every match. With every new officiating opportunity, Welker's multitasking skills, knowledge of the rules and ability to focus are always growing.

In addition to officiating, Welker also serves as the Sanctions and Tournament Coordinator for the USTA Northern Illinois Tennis Association, as well as volunteering for the Chicago Tennis Umpire Council Board and as the Chair of Officials for Northern Illinois.  When she is not hard at work on the court, she is watching her two sons who have become strong players in their own right.

Through countless events and tournaments, Welker has not lost her passion for the innerworkings of the game or watching how players continue their journeys on and off the court.

"I love following a junior player's success from 10U to the collegiate level," said Welker. "It's really cool to see how some players become champions on and off the court."

Welker is looking forward to many more officiating opportunities and encourages anyone who loves the game to take the plunge, just as she did.

"If you love the game of tennis and are looking for something to do on your weekends, why not," asked Welker. "You may even end up at the Open!"