Every year during US Open tournament, the USTA hands out the prestigious award to the umpire who has had the most outstanding contribution to tennis officiating.
Only referees receive the award who are USTA-certified chair or line umpire with at least 10 years of service. No recipient is eligible for a second award.
Of the 350 umpires working at the US Open, five outstanding umpires were recognized for their excellence and dedication to the game of the tennis. Among them was Alli Nili, Gold Badge ATP umpire and recipient of the John T. McGovern Award.
Since 2001, Nili has continually worked his way up through events, delivering the highest quality of officiating and serving as a role model to his colleagues. He has been chair umpire for many prestigious tournaments, including the 2015 Wimbledon men's final and the 2016 US Open men’s championship. Together with his countryman Adel Borghaei, Ali Nili also participated in 2016 Rio Olympic Games and officiated decisive matches there.
“I hope I made you proud,” said Nili after receiving the award adding “because everything I have done or will do has all of your fingerprints on. We are a family.”
In 1949 John T. (Terry) McGovern presented a beautiful gold-plated trophy for an annual award to that umpire or linesman who contributed most to the cause of tennis officiating during the previous year.
In addition to the perpetual trophy, McGovern contributed gold-plated medalettes to be given annually for the permanent possession of the recipient, as well as silver-plated medalettes to be given on a similar basis to a junior official.
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