Jannik Sinner is set to face off against Carlos Alcaraz, the two-time defending champion, in Sunday’s Wimbledon showdown. As the stage is set and fans have already booked their seats for the high stakes clash, the authorities have announced the name of the official who will take the role of chair umpire.
Here’s everything to know about the gold badge official who holds a massive experience of heading Grand Slam finals.
Who Is the Chair Umpire for the 2025 Wimbledon Final Between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz?
World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz returns to Centre Court on the final Sunday for the third year on the trot, while, Sinner, fresh off beating Djokovic, is looking for revenge after a dramatic French Open title clash defeat.
Alison Hughes, who is the chair umpire for the Wimbledon final is a veteran British Gold Badge chair umpire, a status that she attained in 2003. She has officiated 22 Grand Slam singles finals previously.
👏👏👏
Congrats to Britain’s Alison Hughes for umpiring her 22nd Grand Slam Singles Finals at the @AustralianOpen Final pic.twitter.com/dou7bIFMPW
— LTA (@the_LTA) February 20, 2021
Her records include the women’s singles finals at the Olympic Games (2004, 2008), Wimbledon (2004, 2008), US Open (2016), Australian Open (2017, 2021), among others. She was also the umpire at the 2018 US Open men’s singles final. Here, she became only the second woman to chair a men’s final.
Additionally, she has overseen 15 Fed/Billie Jean King Cup finals, served at four Olympic Games (2004, 2008, 2016, 2020), and held leadership roles, including Assistant Chief Umpire at Wimbledon.
Alison Hughes will be the chair umpire of men’s singles final between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
She has been a Gold Badge Chair Umpire since 2003 and has chaired 22 Grand Slam Finals including 1 men’s singles final (2018 US Open).#Wimbledon
— Michal Samulski (@MichalSamulski) July 13, 2025
However, despite her achievements, Hughes was also linked with some controversies that occurred during her matches. At the 2015 Australian Open, she applied the “hindrance rule” on Serena Williams for shouting mid-play. She was also in discussions for issuing a warning to Marcos Baghdatis for using his mobile phone courtside at the US Open in 2016.
During the 2021 Australian Open women’s final, she confronted Karolína Plíšková over racquet smashes in the players’ tunnel, a jurisdiction Plíšková later contested.
Another one was recorded during Alexander Zverev’s Roland Garros campaign in 2024. The German player engaged in a heated dispute with the chair umpire after a call went against him. During a crucial point, Zverev’s opponent was awarded a serve that Zverev believed had clearly landed out.
Frustrated, he appealed to the umpire, only to have his challenge rejected, even though Hawk Eye replays later confirmed the ball was indeed out. Zverev reportedly responded by pulling out his phone to photograph the ball mark and the Hawk‑Eye screen.
When Alison Hughes Remembered Her First-Ever Experience on Court
Besides Alison Hughes’ glorious portfolio, her life experiences have also been interesting. In an interview with the US Open back in 2021, she narrated the story of her first ever exposure in a tour level match.
“My first on-court experience was at a local club tournament … as the only line umpire. I was so nervous. I remember my dad driving me there … and I think I came off court and I said, ‘I don’t want to do that again!’ Obviously, I got over that pretty quickly,” she said.
The upcoming presence will mark her second men’s singles final and the 23rd grand slam exposure. Who do you think will emerge victorious in the final matchup?
