HALLE, WESTPHALIA/STARNBERG, June 23, 2025

After the final of the TERRA WORTMANN OPEN, Timo Janzen was one of the most sought-after people in the corridors of the OWL Arena. His phone showed more than two dozen messages — friends and long-time companions eager to congratulate the Halle native on his performance. For the first time, the tennis umpire had been selected to officiate the final of the tournament in his hometown — and he did an outstanding job.

Without the TERRA WORTMANN OPEN, Timo Janzen might never have pursued the profession he now carries out with such passion. Everything started at this very tournament: in 1999, he began as a ball kid; four years later, he became a line judge. Today, the 38-year-old has built an excellent reputation as a full-time chair umpire on the ATP Tour.

Janzen is one of the very few umpires worldwide to have achieved the elite status of the “Gold Badge” — a distinction earned through top performance, flawless evaluations, and intensive training. He spends about half the year in Bielefeld, where he occasionally picks up a racket himself for TG Hörste in the local league. The other half of the year, he’s traveling the globe. “It’s a privilege to be able to travel to so many beautiful places,” Janzen said, highlighting one of the job’s perks. His professional philosophy includes keeping a clear distance from players — limiting contact with them outside of matches.

Janzen felt especially honored when he learned on Saturday evening that he would be chairing the final of “his” tournament. For him, a professional dream had come true. “I’m incredibly happy to have been given this opportunity. It really brings things full circle for me, and I’ve achieved one of my professional goals,” Janzen said after successfully overseeing the final between Alexander Bublik and Daniil Medvedev. “I’m happiest when no one’s talking about me — and that was the case today. Everything went quite smoothly.”

While Bublik received his Bouvet champagne, trophy, and prize money, the chair umpire was also thanked for his role in the final: both players and Janzen were presented with a tablet from title sponsor TERRA.

This was Janzen’s fourth ATP final after Hamburg, Metz, and Brisbane. He has already officiated at the Olympic Games and at all four Grand Slam tournaments, including two quarterfinals and, most recently, a women’s semifinal at the French Open.

Janzen, who also serves as President of the German Tennis Umpires’ Association, now has just one milestone left to surpass: officiating a Grand Slam final. “It’s not something I’m fixated on,” he said, “but if I’m asked, I definitely won’t say no.”