London, UK, Sunday 14 July 2019: The Chair Umpire for the Gentlemen’s Singles Final is Damian Steiner, 44, from Buenos Aires, Argentina (Coin Toss Chair Umpire).
Damian is a Gold Badge Chair Umpire, who has employed by the ATP since 2014. This is Damian’s first Gentlemen’s Singles Final at Wimbledon.
Damian has also umpired at eight ATP Tour Finals events, including the singles final in 2015. Damian’s other achievements include officiating at three Olympic Games, eight ATP 1000 finals, and a Davis Cup semi-final in 2004.
In 2019, Damian hired as a National Officiating Director in Argentina.
Coin Toss for the Gentlemen’s Singles Final:
Omar Popal (aged 14) will take part in the coin toss ceremony at the Gentlemen’s Singles Final today, representing the Prince’s Trust, which helps young people aged 11 to 30 who struggling at school or unemployed, to develop the confidence and skills they need to live, learn and earn.
The Prince’s Trust was nominated by the Wimbledon Foundation, the official charity of the All England Club and The Championships.
Rozzy Amos, Regional Director of the Prince’s Trust, said: “Omar took part in our Enterprise Challenge which helps young people increase their aspirations, confidence and self-motivation by having effective mentors.
Omar has been able to demonstrate that with a bit of support, a bit of encouragement and a relatable role model, how much you can overcome some of the challenges that young people face today.”
Omar will enjoy a tour of the Clubhouse and lunch in the Competitors’ Restaurant before the match.
Watch Omar’s story here.
The coins that will use for the coin tosses at this year’s Championships’ Finals have travelled to space and back with NASA astronaut Drew Feustel.
Commander Feustel watched from the Royal Box at The Championships 2017 alongside his wife, Indira, and fellow astronaut Tim Peake, and it was then that he and Philip Brook CBE, Chairman of The All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC), came up with the idea to take something from Wimbledon with him aboard his six-month long mission.
The AELTC commissioned two bespoke gold coins, featuring the Mission 56 logo on one side, and The Championships logo on the other.
They travelled with Feustel aboard Mission 56 to the International Space Station last year, with Feustel interviewed live from space during The Championships 2018.
The coins have now safely returned to Earth and will be used in the pre-match coin toss at the Ladies’ and Gentlemen’s Singles Finals at The Championships, Wimbledon (Coin Toss Chair Umpire).
To honour the epic journey that the coins have made, and the journey that the four finalists have made through the Fortnight, the AELTC has created a new 60-second film, “The Coin Toss”.
Narrated by Chairman Philip Brook CBE, McCann London, Craft London and directors Simon+Ben created film on behalf of the AELTC.
It shows the coins being made and travelling into space, and will be distributed globally on TV and online to promote the Finals Weekend.
Watch a 60-second film “The Coin Toss” HERE.
Wimbledon Foundation
The Wimbledon Foundation is the official charity of The All England Lawn Tennis Club and The Championships. Its mission is to change people’s lives using the resources and heritage of Wimbledon. The Wimbledon Foundation is a registered charity (1156996) and a company limited by guarantee (8559364). www.wimbledon.com/foundation
The Prince’s Trust
The Prince’s Trust a youth charity that helps young people aged 11 to 30 who struggle at school or unemployed to develop the confidence and skills they need to live, learn and earn.
The Prince’s Trust is a registered charity (1079675). www.princes-trust.org.uk —- AELTC Communications
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