Q&A: US Open official Kim Kilgore details her love for the game
USTA Missouri tennis officials ensure fair play on the courts and dedicate hours upon hours to promote good sportsmanship amongst all.
With November designated as Officials Appreciation Month and Nov. 10-16 serving as USTA Officiating Appreciation Week, USTA Missouri highlights the work of US Open official Kim Kilgore in this Q&A!
What is your relationship with tennis?
Kim Kilgore: I have been around tennis my entire life. However, I did not start playing tennis until the seventh grade. I play on several USTA teams during the course of the year and have a lot of fun doing so.
I actually went to my first certification school just for the fun of it when we lived in Texas. The following year, when my USTA membership transferred to Missouri, I was contacted by a local official in Joplin who asked if I wanted to work some junior events locally at the Millennium Tennis and Fitness Center. My officiating career just blossomed from there.
In addition to working in both Joplin and Springfield at junior events, I also attended a line clinic and began calling professional lines at Pro Circuit events. I was hooked! The following year, I did a chair umpire clinic, became certified as an ITA (collegiate) official and began working Division I and II collegiate matches as a rover and a chair umpire.
I then worked the ITF Orange Bowl in Key Biscayne, Fla. as a chair umpire and was asked to start working as an ITF chair umpire doing professional events. Eventually, I went on to get my White Badge in Toronto, Canada in 2010 to become a certified ITF (International Tennis Federation) chair umpire.
What do you love about the role the most?
My favorite part is seeing players make it to the higher levels and to see them competing on the big stages—players I chaired matches for either in ITF junior events, college and/or Pro Circuit events over the years.
What has been your most memorable moment of officiating?
My most memorable moments have been working at the US Open in New York at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center since 2009. Every year there are new opportunities and experiences. For me, this has been the most rewarding aspect to me personally as an official.
What strategies do you use to encourage good sportsmanship?
Sportsmanship is a big deal to me, and it’s important as an official to know the rules and to know how to handle difficult situations as they arise. No one match is the same, and you have to have a presence and the knowledge to implement the rules of tennis equitably and fairly to all players.
What techniques do you use to keep calm during high-pressure matches?
One of my favorite Pro Circuit supervisors used to use the analogy of a duck in the water. On the surface they look perfectly peaceful and calm as they move along, but under that surface of the water those legs/feet are pedaling along just as fast and furious as they can to stay afloat!
To me, that’s sometimes how it feels when presented with a challenging match or a challenging player. On the surface you need to remain calm and peaceful, while on the inside your mind might be racing or your heart feels like it’s pounding out of your chest!
Why is it important to recruit new officials?
Recruiting officials is vitally important to officiating! We need officials at all levels, from grassroots to the higher levels. While we don’t have line people at the four major Grand Slams, we still use officials for every other aspect of tennis officiating.
Officials are present roving local junior and sanctioned USTA events. (They are) line people at Pro Circuit events (and work) WTA and ATP events as well as all collegiate levels of tennis. There’s a place for anyone that has an interest and would like to become an official!
What other information would you like our readers to know about yourself and what you do?
I love being an official. I always say that if you’re going to take time away from family and friends to work, make it be something you are passionate about and love doing! I have truly been blessed not only in my family life but also in my officiating career. (I) have met some amazing individuals from all over the world, and many of them will always remain some of my closest friends!
When I’m not on the road working, which is usually about 20-24 weeks a year, I enjoy playing tennis, reading, watching TV or being outdoors and spending time with my family and catching up with friends.
Thank you to Kim Kilgore and all of our USTA Missouri officials! At your next match, be sure to show extra thanks to your local official.
Are you interested in becoming an official? Click here to learn more!
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