FRIAR Paul Arinze is the Wimbledon umpire who overlooks serving Gods on the court and serving God off it.
The catholic priest has also officiated at the US Open and the Olympics but the high calls he makes from his umpiring chair come second to his higher calling from the church.
GettyFriar Paul Arinze says tennis has helped his concentration as a priest[/caption]
GettyAndrea Jaeger, who reached the Wimbledon final in 1983, became a nun[/caption]
And he believes both his loves – priesthood and tennis – help each other.
The “specialist in forgiveness” grew up in Nigeria but lives in Wisconsin.
And he reckons his deep understanding of how people can lose their temper makes him a better umpire.
Arinze once told the BBC he can “understand how players react in the heat of competition and that they do not mean what they say”.
So he’s able to stay calm if trouble flares out on the court.
He added: “It is important not to make the situation worse – even if you know you are in the right.”
In return – so to speak – he reckons umpiring has improved his concentration in his day job.
He explained: “When I counsel someone, they can speak for a long time but I maybe only need to reply to 20% of what they say, and it is important that I do not miss that part.”
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That focus also helped fellow American Andrea Jaeger reach world No2 and a pair of Grand Slam finals before she quit playing and became a NUN.
Arinze’s enthusiasm for tennis was more humble – born of watching matches at the University of Madison.
He rejects the notion of sport being as significant or as other aspects of life.
But he realises each moment – let alone each contest – can SEEM the most important thing to the participants, be they the players or the fans.
And perhaps that empathy is the bridge between sport and religion.