Here we are—after two weeks of edge-of-the-seat drama, jaw-dropping rallies, and relentless battles—and it all comes down to this. The Australian Open has its final showdown set, and the spotlight is on none other than World No. 1 Jannik Sinner and the ever-determined German star Alexander Zverev. Months of sweat, preparation, and grit have brought them here, and now, the stage is set for an epic clash under the bright lights of Rod Laver Arena. But hold on—there’s a wildcard in this high-stakes battle that no one can ignore: the chair umpire.

Both Sinner and Zverev have been in tremendous form in the ongoing tournament. Interestingly, both players have lost only two sets each en route to the finals and hence the thrill is even more palpable. But when stakes are as high as a Grand Slam final, the responsibility to call out the match correctly and make adequate decisions is a crucial aspect. So, who is assigned this mammoth task for the Melbourne final?

As per several reports floating around, and information available on social media, Damien Dumusois will be the chair umpire for the high-profile clash. For the unversed, Dumusois hails from France and has thorough experience in the arena. Having worked as a chair umpire contractor and chair umpire employee for the ATP Tour between 2007 and 2018, the Frenchman understands the nuances of the game. Besides, he has also discharged his duties as ITF’s regional officiating officer for Africa region. And when it comes to officiating in a Grand Slam match, Dumusois has extensive experience of umpiring in major tournaments.

Notably, the 45-year-old captured attention during the French Open last year after he rescued a pigeon during the third-round match between Daniil Medvedev and Tomas Machac. Chair umpire Damien Dumusois flung into action and climbed down from his perch after a pigeon struggled to fly off the court. He was seen grabbing a white towel that he later used to cradle the pigeon with both hands, thereby earning cheers from spectators. He was even lauded by Medvedev for his gesture who said, “The referee did a good job. He was very gentle. I think [that’s] important.”

But for now, all eyes will be on Jannik Sinner and Alexander Zverev. And guess what? Despite being the World No. 1 the Italian dynamo is not undermining his opponent.

Jannik Sinner expecting a mental battle against Alexander Zverev

Alexander Zverev and Jannik Sinner will be facing each other for the first time in a Grand Slam final. The stakes in Australia, meanwhile, will be high for both the players. While the German star will attempt to win his first Grand Slam, Sinner will aim to become the first Italian to win three major titles. With such a scenario in place, the Italian dynamo is expecting nothing less than a fierce battle against Zverev on the Rod Laver Arena.

When quizzed about the match-up, Sinner said, “First of all, it’s going to be mental. Then, of course, we played already. It’s going to be a tough match for both of us. It’s going to be physical, for sure. Then we see.” Continuing further, Sinner did not fail to laud his opponent highlighting his impeccable run in Melbourne. 

“I think he played some incredible tennis to go to the final. It’s tough to say whoever is the favourite in a way because everything can happen. These are all questions we are going to get answered Sunday. It’s very difficult to talk today in advance,” Sinner added. Now, as the match unfolds, it will be interesting to see who holds the baton to the finish line and adds the prestigious title to their arsenal.