22 March 2017 | Tennis Queensland

Watching tennis, it’s only natural to focus on the players. But there a dozen other people on court – often unnoticed – who are integral to the action, and have a story to tell at the end of each match.

One such person is Peter Marsden who has been named a linesman for next month’s Davis Cup tie in Brisbane. Peter called championship point at the 2017 Australian Open men’s final between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. The Brisbane-based official has called all but one Brisbane International, but says it’s hard to beat being on court at the Australian Open.

“The 2017 AO men’s final has undoubtedly been the pinnacle of my officiating career so far. My legs were a little shaky when I first nervously got up to receive a serve behind Nadal and it took me a little time to settle down. My job was to call one of the near side lines to the chair and with all of Federer’s and Nadal’s cross court shots, we were all kept busy and on our toes. I remember the intensity of the crowd when in the last game or two of the final set, and after quite a rally, Federer hit a winner down the line. The roar was deafening and it was quite a hair-raising atmosphere.”

Also officiating next month’s Davis Cup is New Farm’s Phil Waight, who was on court for this year’s men’s final between Grigor Dimitrov and Kei Nishikori at the Brisbane International. He spent a decade as an AFL umpire in Victoria, before making the switch to tennis.

“Like most sports, you must have discipline, be prepared to practice, learn and listen to your coaches and senior umpires and have the mental attitude to succeed,” Waight said.

“Officiating is dismissed by many people in most sports but the opportunities in sports for people to officiate are enormous. The rewards are numerous and self-satisfaction gained from correction of decisions is unbelievably rewarding.”

Meanwhile, heading north to be officials at the Davis Cup is Gold Coast mother/son/daughter trio Helen, Grace and Tom.

“I started out as a ball kid at the Women’s Gold Coast event, which eventually turned into Brisbane International (BI),” said Grace.

“I was a ball kid then at BI for the first 3 years so Mum decided she would get involved as an official as she spent so much time with me at the tennis anyway. She’s always been a tennis fan anyway so it was just another way to be involved in such a big tennis event. Tom then joined ball kid too and eventually switched over.”

The Davis Cup will be held at the Queensland Tennis Centre from April 7- 9. Single session tickets can be purchased at www.ticketeck.com.au/DavisCup