Pascal Maria, one of the most experienced referees on the ATP tour, announced his resignation today. Nevertheless, the Frenchman will remain a tennis player.
The Shot Clock may be introduced on the ATP tour of a not so distant day – the man who most likely punished the game of time under the traditional regulations will only observe this innovation from a distance: Pascal Maria, who, as chair referee and Rafael Nadal in particular, liked to remind Rafael Nadal of punctuality at his own service, ends his career.
The Spaniard was one of the main characters in a match that future generations will also talk about – and where Pascal Maria sat on the chair: The Wimbledon Final 2008, when Nadal beat Roger Federer 9:7 in the decisive fifth set.
In total, Maria, who will work for the French Tennis Association in the future, was allowed to lead eleven major finals. The last one this year in Roland Garros, which caused no problems for the renowned Umpire – Rafael Nadal was to be considered on his way to his tenth triumph in Paris against Stan Wawrinka.