What happens when an incorrect decision seizes a player’s potential future in a tournament? Well, American chair umpire Gregory Allensworth was recently accused of making this mistake in Cincinnati not once but twice. He made a blunder in Taylor Fritz‘s case, and his decision cost Felix Auger-Aliassime a match point. While this has thrown doubt on his skills, Allensworth’s resume speaks volumes about his experience. The controversy surrounding the match brought a spotlight over the umpire, making people wonder about his professional status.

This American umpire is self-employed and is one of the 33 Gold Badge Chair Umpires, the highest certification from the Joint Certificate Program by ATP, WTA, ITF, and Grand Slams for officiating tennis matches. Allensworth studied for a Bachelor’s Degree in History from Ohio State University and volunteered for the Official Committee of the United States Tennis Association from 2019 to 2022. He was the Committee member for the 2019/2020 term and Vice-chairman for the 2021/2022 term. This American coach also participated in making two new certification structures for the officials.

Allensworth oversaw the junior and adult Kentucky competitions from 2013 to 2015. He collaborated and assisted tournament directors and Junior Team Tennis League Coordinators in recruiting new players and managing their daily activities. He was also the Tournament Director for Joe Creason State Championship, the largest junior tournament in Kentucky. Allensworth was the Tournament Director for the JTT State Championships and looked after the junior and adult rankings. He has been an ATP Elite Chair Umpire since 2019.

This American chair umpire received the John T. McGovern award from the McGovern Committee in November 2022 and was inducted into the NIRSA Flag Football Hall of Fame by the National Intramural and Recreational Sports Association in December 2018. He also received the Jack Stahr Award from the USTA. Given Allensworth’s records, it is safe to say that he has been an experienced umpire for a long.

Despite his experience in the field, Allensworth received many criticisms. Notably, during this year’s Geneva Open, Andy Murray had a heated argument with Allensworth, albeit for a reason that wasn’t even the umpire’s fault! Murray’s first round Geneva Open tie match against Yannick Hanfmann was suspended owing to inclement weather and white pollen filling up the court. However, as the umpire initially didn’t halt the match, Murray had said, “You’re fine for us to play when there’s s*** flying around?…”It’s like it’s snowing out here and you still want us to keep going.” 

Eventually, Allensworth sent the player to their dressing rooms. However, in the latest instance during the 2024 Cincinnati Open, he is being criticized not just by fans of Aliassime, but his decision also disappointed Taylor Fritz three days back.

Taylor Fritz engaged in a feud with Greg Allensworth during his match against Brandon Nakashima in Cincinnati

Fritz clashed with Allensworth during his first-round match against Nakashima. During the second set, a Live Hawkeye error at the time of Nakashima’s serve resulted in no call despite his forehand landing far behind the baseline. Fritz, who was already on a 3-2 lead, expected a call but continued playing even though it wasn’t made. It was later confirmed the ball was out. Allensworth asked the players to stop their game and called a let. He refused to directly award the point to Fritz calling the late call. “They didn’t stop it in time. We played 6-7 more shots,” said the American umpire.

Fritz, although calm, was visibly upset and said, “Okay no wait, no no no no. Don’t tell me that I need to stop the point when we have electronic line calling.” Despite the argument, the call was maintained.

His decision not only kicked Fritz out of Cincinnati but did the same for Aliassime. Draper hit a shot close to the net but the ball hit his side of the court before going to Alliassime. When the Canadian contested the call, a lengthy discussion followed. Allensworth refused to give the point to Aliassime and mentioned that he didn’t see the ball touching the ground, whereas in the replay the audience could perfectly witness it. 

Later, Draper, who won the match 5-7 6-4 6-4, talked about the incident and mentioned, “I serve-volleyed, he hit an amazing pass at my feet. I was shocked at the pass, I was too busy looking at him. I didn’t see what happened.” Aliassime, on the other hand, was furious. At one point he also called Draper’s decision to not admit the supposed double bounce “horrendous”. 

However, at the end of the day, it was in Allensworth’s hands. With two ATP stars meeting the same end, Aliassime and Fritz, it shows the importance of the VR monitoring system for ensuring that players can receive accurate results on their matches. Following the US Open committee’s decision to incorporate this, people can expect error-free decisions in the Grand Slam.