2 January 2014 | Tennis Queensland

Christmas came early for Queensland tennis official Simon Cannavan when he received news from the International Tennis Federation that he was going to be promoted to International Silver Chair Umpire at the  joint certification meeting (ITF, WTA, ATP) held in London last week.

After nine years of working for tennis, Simon received the news when he touched down in Australia to begin his Australian summer campaign, officiating and umpiring for the Brisbane International and Australian Open tournaments.

This exciting news tops off an incredible year for Simon who has worked all across the globe for the highest level of tennis and also took out the Queensland Tennis Award for Excellence in Officiating in November.

has been travelling around the world officiating, for nine years.

Promotions to a silver level come about through recognition of work undertaken and performance both on and off court. All three tennis bodies (ATP, WTA, ITF) must be in agreement of the promotion, which is not an easy achievement.

Simon and fellow Aussie Tom Sweeney’s (Vic) promotion to International Silver Chair Umpire comes 9 years after Australia last had a chair umpire promoted to this level.

He joins a small and elite group of only 45 officials in the world holding such an accreditation in officiating.

Featured image: Simon is currently leading the Chair Umpire squad in the Brisbane International, where he has watched over matches including Aussie favourite Lleyton Hewitt.