Tennis Rules Change: Ex-ATP Referee Speaks Out

Carlos Bernardes He has been one of the people in the world of tennis who has been seen the most times on television. The Brazilian referee went with Mohamed Lahyaniwho is still active, one of the best-known referee judges and who has also been involved in the most controversies.

Many people remember the iconic “Carlos, you’re telling me something outrageous” from Rafa Nadal in the ATP Finals de 2010 and refusing to continue playing due to a decision by the Brazilian. But despite this run-in with the Spaniard, Bernardes was one of the most loved people on the circuit for his joy, kindness and closeness. Last year he retired in the final of the ATP Finals after more than 30 years and more than 8,000 refereed matches.

And a year after his retirement, Bernades gave an interview to Ubitennis, where he spoke about what can destabilize a match, about his relationship with the rest of the referees, as well as the tournament that marked a change in his career as a chair umpire and the problem that tennis must have for it to remain attractive.

A calmer life after retirement

“Time has passed very quickly, it’s incredible. Staying at home during this time is good for me. I went to four or five ATP events because my wife works as a review manager: she was in Greece for four weeks and I accompanied her for two. The place was beautiful. I also went to Rome, to the ATP Finals in Turin, and to Bergamo, here at home. Otherwise, I went to the gym, appeared on television two or three times and they contacted me to be the director of some Challenger tournaments.”

The tournament that was key in the future of his career

“When I started, at the time of Mohamed Lahyani and Pascal Maria, the goal of the ATP officials and supervisors was to go to the United States, because many important tournaments were held there. My first time was in San Jose, California, in the Sybase Open de 1995 and for that occasion there were four referees appointed: two for the semifinals and the final on Saturday and Sunday, one was the supervisor in the qualifying phase and the other the chair umpire.”

“In that case I refereed the two semifinals, because the other had more experience than me and refereed the final, and as players there were Andre Agassi, MaliVai Washington, Michael Chang and Jim Courierthree top 10s and a top 20. That was a big step in my career, because I was in the United States, in an important tournament in San José and above all with these players.”

Carlos Bernades and time in tennis, a problem to be solved as soon as possible

“It is difficult to think of a rule that could radically change tennis. One of the main problems in tennis is time. If you watch a match, it can last 40-50 minutes or 4-5 hours, and this problem of not knowing when it starts and ends, what you can do in the meantime, is the complex part of this sport. Finding a solution to time would make tennis more attractive for future generations.”

“There are tournaments that are trying to experiment with something in this direction, but they are still exhibitions and I don’t like them very much. All organizations need to sit together to find a solution to this, without changing the sport too much, but making it more attractive for people.”

There are no difficult players to referee, they are the situations

“The problem is that, even if the players are calm, it is the situations that get complicated, not the players. It depends even more on the player’s temperament. Nowadays it is easier to see what the players and even the referees are saying. 20 years ago it was more complicated because there was less technology and less media related to tennis, so if a player or a chair umpire said something on the court, they didn’t find out.”

His career ended with a few words of thanks from Jannik Sinner

“2024 was very special because ending with that match and those words from Sinner, with the love of the other players, the coaches and the people who worked with me during all those years, was really nice. Sinner’s comment was very nice because just when he had just won the ATP Finals, he remembered me.”

“Italy is going through a very special moment in tennis. I don’t remember a period like this in any other country, and not only in men’s tennis. It’s wonderful to see that Italian tennis is moving in this direction, although I don’t think Jannik is the only one to be there. Cobolli, Musetti, Paolini and the doubles players are showing their strength on the court and pushing each other forward. I hope this continues for many more years for Italian tennis.”

His colleagues, a second family in which respect always reigned

“I think that those of the old guard had a healthy and respectful relationship. This has always helped us grow together. Our work is very individual, but you cannot believe that you are the best referee in the world. When one of our colleagues reached the final, it was a joy for everyone and that helped us grow a lot. If you are someone with a bigger ego, you do not advance, because you cannot be alone in this type of work, especially since you are part of a group that is united most of the time, like a second family,” says one Carlos Bernardes whom everyone remembers at the top of the referee’s chair, directing some of the best matches in the history of tennis