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Photo: R. Ragu

Get ready, my boys Narasimhan giving instructions to the ball boys at the Nungambakkam Tennis Stadium

For P. Narasimhan, chief of the line umpires and ball boys for the Chennai Open ATP championship, there is hardly any time to sit back and relax. The 63-year-old retired Principal of AM Jain College bends down and raises his voice, with the line umpires in rapt attention. “Out, Correction In,” he explains how to correct a line call quickly. His pupils nod in perfect unison. Then, in a wonderfully co-ordinated way — looks like a choreographed event — a fresh batch of linesmen and ball boys take their appointed places as the second set begins.

A conscientious, efficient umpire and chair umpire, Narasimhan has performed his duties with an enviable degree of success for more than two decades. Though his duties have been altered now, his urge to deliver the goods and make a significant contribution to the sport remains as strong as ever.

A certified International Tennis Federation (ITF) white badge official, Narasimhan has been instrumental in creating a programme for line umpires and ball boys for the ATP International series event in Chennai since 1997. Every year, the Physics Professor conducts pre-match training sessions that have proved to be invaluable. For the past 13 years, the tournament’s line umpires have not had a poor grading, and that’s largely due to Narasimhan’s untiring efforts. “A majority of line umpires are either coaches or have been tennis players before. So there has not been any problem. I am happy with the level of officiating as it has improved considerably over the years,” says Narasimhan.

It’s not that his job ends once the match begins. When the linesmen and ball boys return after the mandatory one-hour duty, Narasimhan informally analyses their performances so that they could do a better job next time. He is like a father figure to most of the line umpires. So whether it is a pat on the back for a job well done or a dressing down for a mess-up, the boys take it all in the right spirit. “They know they are accountable. They are familiar with my expectations,” he says.

Support and encouragement have come from none other than the ATP officials for the yeoman service rendered by Narasimhan & Co. At the end of each edition, the ATP never forgets to commend the performance of the ball boys and line umpires. It is the same, this time. “ATP also points out areas of improvement,” Narasimhan hastens to add.

His experience of having been a professor has helped Narasimhan handle different people and different situations. “The basic advice I offer line umpires is: they should be punctual, follow a dress code, and know that chair umpire is the ultimate authority on a question of fact.” Narasimhan is keen on improving the training programme. “My intention is to further strengthen the officiating programme (with support from the Tamil Nadu Tennis Association) in the coming years and try to infuse young blood into it so that they can aspire to become certified officials.”

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