USTA announces winners of 2024 officiating awards

The USTA has named Jorge Ducci, Anthony Montero, Roger Pennington and John Wong as the 2024 winners of national awards for excellence and service to officiating: Jr. McGovern Award, Nicholas E. Powell Award, John T. McGovern Award, and Woodie Walker C.A.R.E. Award.

The USTA's annual umpire awards ceremony was held virtually this month, where the quartet was presented with their awards by another official who is a member of one of the awards' voting committees. 

“We are fortunate to have talented and dedicated officials such as Anthony, John, Roger, and Jorge, who are truly making an impact in growing tennis at both the grassroots and professional levels,” said Sean Cary, USTA Managing Director, Competition Operations. “Their leadership, work ethic and passion for the game are just a few of the reasons why they’re so deserving of this recognition.”

Jr. McGovern Award - Jorge Ducci (Orlando, Fla.)

The Jr. McGovern Award is awarded for outstanding on-court officiating by a relatively new official who shows talent and potential. The award recognizes service and excellence by younger officials.

A bronze badge chair umpire, as well as an experienced line umpire and review official, Ducci's colleagues note his superlative on-court performance as well as his consistent desire to learn and collaborate.

Nicholas E. Powell Award - Anthony Montero (Certitos, Calif.)

This award, given since 1990, honors excellence in grassroots officiating. The award is given to officials who work primarily at sectional and/or amateur events, have a supportive attitude towards grassroots programs and are positive role models.

Over more than 20 years as an official, Montero has led numerous workshops and training sessions, playing an integral role in growing the officiating community in Southern California and beyond. Described by his colleagues as tireless, committed, and caring, he recently retired from the FBI, following a lengthy and decorated career, and now serves as the Director of Officiating and General Counsel for the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA).

In their own words: "It's just such an amazing blessing an opportunity to see new officials coming in, to see them face the challenges you faced, and to know that you perhaps helped them ... It's what my passion in officiating is, and I've just thoroughly enjoyed it and loved it."

John T. McGovern Award - Roger Pennington (Amarillo, Texas)

Given to an official with at least 10 years of service, the John. T. McGovern Award honors those who have made exceptional contributions to the profession. The award dates back to 1949, when McGovern himself presented a gold-plated trophy to the official who had contributed the most to umpiring that year. Awarded in perpetuity in his name, it is the USTA's highest officiating honor today.

Pennington, a silver badge chair umpire, has officiated at all four Grand Slams as well as the Olympic and Paralympic Games. He is known as a dedicated and caring leader and mentor who has played an important role in growing American officiating.

In their own words: "Every event you do, whether it's the grassroots or the highest level, you want to go out there and show that that's as important as the most difficult or highest match in the sport. ... The sport is only as strong as what we pass along to the next people coming up."

Woodie Walker C.A.R.E. Award - John Wong (San Francisco, Calif.)

Presented since 2017 and named for longtime US Open chief umpire Phyllis "Woodie" Walker, this award is given to an official who displays characteristics that Walker exemplified in her career: commitment, accountability, respectability and excellence.

Wong is known as a dedicated line umpire who exemplifies professionalism. He is passionate about training new officials, encouraging them to uphold the standards of officiating that he is best known for. He is described by his peers as dependable, trustworthy and kind.

In their own words: "It's been an honor to train and mentor officials accross the country and watch them excel. The greatest reward is what they've learned, they've passed knowledge onto others. That was very important for me. I believe that their success is my success, and our success."