For over three years, chair umpire Carlos Bernardes enjoyed the unparalleled thrill of witnessing tennis from the best seat in the house. As one of the sport’s most esteemed officials, the Brazilian has presided over some of tennis’s most memorable confrontations in the grandest venues. His unwavering presence at iconic matches, featuring legendary players, has made him a respected figure in the sport.

From the legendary duels between Sampras and Agassi to the epic Federer-Nadal battles, Bernardes has maintained order and integrity on the court. His illustrious career culminated in a fitting farewell at the ATP Tour during the Nitto ATP Finals, where he officiated his final match in the championship showdown. This event marked the end of an era for both Bernardes and the sport.

Reflecting on his remarkable journey, Bernardes shared his thoughts with ATPTour.com in Turin.

“My first exposure to tennis took place during my childhood in Brazil. We would often jump over the fence to play at the local club until we eventually registered as members. Since that pivotal moment, I have been deeply involved in the game, and I truly feel fortunate to have experienced such a fulfilling career,” Bernardes reminisced.

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In 1984, Bernardes embarked on his officiating journey, initially serving as a line judge at a local Billie Jean King Cup event in São Paulo. While juggling his training and officiating roles across South America, he made significant strides in his career, culminating in 1992 when he officially joined the ATP Tour as a chair umpire.

“I began officiating in South American tournaments before being assigned to events in the United States. I vividly remember an early tournament in San Jose in 1996,” he recalled with a grin. “That event featured tennis greats like Sampras, Agassi, and Chang. Sampras was ranked No. 1 at the time, and it was surreal to transition from playing tennis on the streets of Brazil to umpiring matches involving legends like Sampras and Agassi.”

_{^{Carlos Bernardes with ATP Chairman Andrea Gaudenzi in Turin. Photo Credit: Corinne Dubreuil/ATP Tour}}
Among the 29 players who have reached the No. 1 spot in the PIF ATP Rankings, Bernardes had the privilege of officiating for 24 of them. Throughout his career, he has witnessed historic moments and forged lasting relationships with some of the sport’s most significant stars.

“I’ve officiated matches featuring Sampras, Agassi, Chang, Edberg, Wilander, and Becker. It was great to see Boris Becker here in Turin today. He approached me for a chat, which was wonderful. Becker had such an undeniable charm on the court. And the matches between Sampras and Agassi were truly unforgettable,” Bernardes reflected.

Bernardes fondly recalls the ‘golden’ era of tennis, characterized by figures like Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, and Novak Djokovic, and the excitement of officiating matches involving Andy Murray, Juan Martin del Potro, and Stan Wawrinka.

“Some of my longest matches were with Murray—often lasting four hours, and he would still push through. I would later ask him, ‘How did you manage that?’ He would respond, ‘I can’t walk now,’ yet he’d be back on the court the next day winning matches. That level of respect from players means a great deal to me,” he shared.

One of Bernardes’ most cherished memories is officiating Rafael Nadal’s first ATP Tour match in Mallorca in 2002, followed by Nadal’s inaugural encounter with Federer in Miami in 2004. He also had the honor of officiating the 2011 Wimbledon final, where Novak Djokovic triumphed over Nadal to claim the championship and ascend to the No. 1 ranking.

“Wimbledon is pure magic,” Bernardes stated. “I began playing tennis because of Wimbledon. To have the opportunity to officiate on Centre Court is unparalleled. That 2011 final holds a special place in my heart.”

Over the years, Bernardes has witnessed firsthand the evolution and transformation of tennis, making him a valuable repository of knowledge regarding the sport’s rich history. Now at 60, he has become an integral part of the ATP Tour’s traveling circus, spending countless hours on the road and years residing in hotels.

“I love Melbourne—I can walk back to my hotel at 2 a.m.! Tokyo has always been ahead of the game,” Bernardes remarked when discussing his favorite cities. “Monte-Carlo is stunning, especially when it’s not raining. And New York, where I officiated my first Grand Slam, always holds a special significance for me.

“Barcelona is also noteworthy. It hosts a true tennis event. If you want to witness a fantastic tennis experience, that’s the one to attend. Even if two lower-ranked players are on the court, the stands are always packed,” he added.

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As he prepares to leave the sport, Bernardes reflects on how technology has profoundly changed tennis. Electronic line calling is now widely adopted and will become mandatory on the Tour by 2025, with limited trials of video review already in progress. While Bernardes embraced the high-pressure environment of making split-second line calls, he acknowledges the necessity for adaptation.

“It’s different now with electronic calls—you don’t interact with players as much. There’s no need to overturn or explain calls. Nowadays, I simply listen to the ambiance in the arena. The officiating has become increasingly mechanical, and we need to tread carefully. I enjoyed the thrill of making the right call. Now, even if I think a ball is out, I step back and let technology decide,” he explained.

Seated in the officiating booth at Turin’s Inalpi Arena, Bernardes reflects fondly on his memories. His eyes light up most when he mentions the people he has encountered throughout his career.

“I have countless stories, and I feel incredibly lucky. I’ve officiated over 8,000 matches—just 1 percent of that alone holds many memories,” Bernardes said. “However, it’s the people I’ve met that stand out the most. We spend much of our lives away from home, so we bond with both the individuals and the places. This year, fans and fellow officials approached me, which was truly wonderful. It’s an incredible atmosphere to be part of.”

Bernardes is set to conclude his career next week at the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga, but he received heartfelt words from Jannik Sinner following the championship at the Nitto ATP Finals, where Bernardes served as the umpire.

“Carlos, it’s been an extraordinary career,” Sinner expressed. “I feel privileged to be part of your final ATP journey.”

_{^{Jannik Sinner shakes hands with Carlos Bernardes. Photo Credit: Corinne Dubreuil/ATP Tour}}

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