28 March 2014 | Tennis NT

Local Alice Springs line umpire, Leanne Usher has been rewarded for her dedication to the sport of tennis and her commitment to officiating by receiving a lucrative position in the 19 person line officials’ squad for the Fed Cup tie in April.

The Fed Cup by BNP Paribas semi-final tie will feature Australia against Germany in Brisbane on Pat Rafter Arena 19 and 20 April 2014.

“Being selected for such a high calibre event is a huge achievement, especially with such a small squad being selected. The standard of applications was extremely high.” said Cheryl Jenkins, the Chief of Officials for the tie. “No doubt this tops off the fantastic ‘summer of tennis’ she had officiating.”

This won’t be Usher’s first experience in a big match situation after calling lines for Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova and Roger Federer on the same court during the Brisbane International, as well as on the World stage at Grand Slam level calling lines on Rod Laver Arena during the Australian Open for the likes of Li Na, Victoria Azarenka and Rafa Nadal.

“I applied thinking it would be a great opportunity to be involved in the Fed Cup” said Usher “However, it came as a complete shock once I found out I was selected. It was another official who gave me the good news, sending me a ‘congratulations’ text message as I hadn’t checked my emails for a few days.”

Usher will make the journey from the Red Centre to the Queensland coast a few days before the tie to meet  and bond with her fellow line umpires.