Latest news with #JamesKeothavong
The Sun
09-07-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Entire Wimbledon crowd breaks out in applause after umpire's message to troublemaker
A TENNIS fan was sternly told off by umpire James Keothavong during yesterday's Wimbledon quarter-final between Aryna Sabalenka and Laura Siegemund. World No1 Sabalenka was pushed to the limit by the wily German veteran. 3 3 As the Belarusian stepped up for a second serve at 4-4 in the deciding third set, experienced official Keothavong was taking no nonsense. The umpire, sister of former British No1 Anne Keothavong, said: "Can the person applauding between first and second serves stop doing that please. "It's spoiling the game for everyone and the players." This was met by cheers and applause from much of the Centre Court crowd. Sabalenka, 27, went on to squeeze past Siegemund 4-6 6-2 6-4. The No1 seed will next face Amanda Anisimova for a place in the final. After the stern test, Sabalenka said: "Inside I was struggling because she was playing a really smart game. "At the beginning I was missing a lot. I felt like I was rushing. So I'm really glad that after the first set, I was able to reset a little bit and change my tactic and get the win. "After the second set, the middle of the second set, I started feeling my game better, and I had a better understanding of what I should do to get the win. "But about her game, I wasn't really annoyed. What can I do? Wimbledon star forced to correct BBC presenter during awkward live interview on court "It was great play, smart play. Tough for my body to play against, but I managed. "It was a great fitness. Whoever is going to slice against me, I'm going to be like, Guys, I played against Laura, are you kidding me?" 3
The Sun
30-06-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Who is Wimbledon umpire James Keothavong and is he related to Anne Keothavong?
WIMBLEDON has returned for another year of unmissable action from the capital! But not everyone will get to step onto the hallowed turf of Centre Court at Wimbledon. 2 2 It is even harder to get tickets for the action, with fans of the tournament warned not to queue for hours on day one in 2025. The umpire is one of the most important people on the court, always making the tough calls, but will be helped by the introduction of electronic line judges at Wimbledon in 2025. James Keothavong knows the thrills of being on the court, as well as the thrills of calling the biggest game in tennis - the Wimbledon final. SunSport has everything you need to know about the umpire. Who is James Keothavong? Described as "royalty" in the Tennis world, James Keothavong is an umpire who has worked 75 consecutive Grand Slams. He has 20-plus years of officiating experience. He is the eldest of four siblings, and has parents of Lao origin, who met in London and went on to live in Hackney. The umpire went into officiating at 16, deciding that despite being ranked in the top 10 nationally at U16 level, he would not have the ability to make it all the way. He worked at Wimbledon for the first time as a line judge in 1999. His first Wimbledon Men's Singles Final was in 2014, when he oversaw Novak Djokovic vs Roger Federer. Is James Keothavong related to Anne Keothavong? Yes, James Keothavong and former British women's No 1 Anne Keothavong are brother and sister. They grew up together in Hackney, with both going on to play tennis in their youth years.
