Jim Moore: 1938-2022
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Jim Moore, much-loved and respected Tournament Referee at The Queen’s Club between 1978 and 2019, has died at the age of 83.
Born in Queensland, Australia in 1938, Moore was a player before becoming an official, competing against countrymen Rod Laver, Ken Rosewell and Roy Emerson.
But it was as Referee for the event now known as the LTA's cinch Championships that Moore is most known and remembered.
He presided over matches on the famous grass courts at The Queen’s Club for 42 consecutive years, covering the eras of Jimmy Connors, Boris Becker, Lleyton Hewitt, Andy Roddick, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray.
It is a moment involving John McEnroe for which he is most recognised at Queen’s.
In 1984, McEnroe, the reigning World No.1 and Wimbledon champion, called for the Referee because he disagreed with a line call.
Upon arrival, Moore was greeted with a 2-minute volley of complaint from McEnroe. He listened calmly, first to the Chair Umpire and then to McEnroe, and said: “No, the umpire’s right, that’s it, you’ve got to go and play.”
How did he stay so calm in the moment?
“McEnroe was upset, he’s ranting and raving so you’ve just got to let him get on with it, and then tell him to go and play,” said Moore with a smile 34 years later, when presented with a miniature replica trophy in recognition of four decades in his role.
“He called me and a colleague ’two bumps on a log!’. He was just indicating that he didn’t think we did anything.”
Although McEnroe’s temper flared on that memorable day, it was all forgotten in 2016. The American was honoured alongside fellow four-time champions Boris Becker, Roy Emerson and Lleyton Hewitt in an on-court presentation, and Moore was asked to hand McEnroe his commemorative replica trophy. The pair shared a hug in front of packed stands in a lovely moment for both.
In recent years, Moore conducted the singles draw in front of an audience at The Queen’s Club, and made the occasion special for all in attendance by offering everyone the chance to pick a name out of the hat to determine the tournament’s first round matches.
Elsewhere, he was Tournament Referee for the Brisbane International from the event’s inception in 2009 through until its most recent edition in 2020, he officiated at Davis Cup ties, and was a regular behind the scenes at Wimbledon. He was also a consultant Tour supervisor at the WTA for more than 12 years until 2007.
LTA Director of Events and Digital Chris Pollard said, “The LTA sends it’s condolences to the family of Jim Moore - our referee at the Cinch Championships for over four decades. Jimmy was much loved and respected by all of us, the players, coaches, officials and will forever be remembered with smiles on our faces as well as his.”
