Chair umpire Eva Asderaki-Moore makes history at U.S. Open

Nick McCarvel | Special for USA TODAY Sports

NEW YORK — Whether or not Roger Federer wins his 18th major title on Sunday at the U.S. Open, history will be made regardless – in the umpire's chair.

For the first time at the U.S. Open, the men's final at the U.S. Open will be overseen by a woman, Greece's Eva Asderaki-Moore getting the duty as chair umpire for the Federer-Novak Djokovic championship tilt.

After Marija Cicak of Croatia called the women's final between Flavia Pennetta and Roberta Vinci on Saturday, the U.S. Open became the first major to have women in the chair for both the men's and women's singles finals.

In 2007, Sandra de Jenken of France became the first woman to chair umpire a Grand Slam final for the men at any of the majors, chairing both the Australian and French Opens.

"Eva has been in the contest in the last three or four years, and this year she got the nod," chief umpire Bruce Littrell told USA TODAY Sports. "In terms of ability, she's done many men's matches at the Slams and she's certainly excelled. She's never been in any kind of trouble. She's certainly earned her right."

Asderaki-Moore is one of 19 Gold Badge umpires working the U.S. Open this year. The Gold Badge is the highest rating a chair umpire can earn, following reviews from tennis' governing bodies.

Of the 127 men's singles matches at this year's U.S. Open, 41 of them have been chair umpired by women, according to the USTA.

Brian Earley, the tournament referee, makes the final choice for who climbs into the chair for each final. The last three U.S. Open men's finals have been chair umpired by Jake Garner of the U.S.

"You either have the skill to do it or you don't," Littrell said of Asderaki-Moore being the first woman calling a men's singles final. "We're lucky to have a female in the world to do a men's final. She's earned that spot. She's done a lot of men's matches during this U.S. Open and she's done them quite well."

It's the third Grand Slam singles final of Asderaki-Moore's career, having called the 2011 U.S. Open women's final as well as the 2013 Wimbledon women's final.

It was in that 2011 U.S. Open final in which Asderaki-Moore called Serena Williams for a verbal hindrance against Sam Stosur when Williams shouted out during a point. Williams went on to verbally berate Asderaki-Moore during the subsequent two changeovers, saying she was "ugly on the inside" and told her "don't even look my way." Williams' verbal insults became Internet fodder on YouTube.

Chair umpires are not allowed to speak to the media during the tournament, but a fellow Gold Badge umpire told USA TODAY Sports in an email that "I have always heard only good feedback from male players about having had her in the chair. … [And] her presence in the match is outstanding; her communication skills with players helping her to succeed."

With a packed stadium expected for the men's final, Asderaki-Moore will be at the center of it all.

"To be the first woman to umpire a men's final at the U.S. Open is amazing," said Paul Moore, Asderaki-Moore's husband, in an email to USA TODAY Sports. "I'm so proud of Eva and unbelievably happy for her. She works so hard and has sacrificed plenty to get to this point, and a match like this makes all of that worthwhile. I really hope she has a great match and gets the chance to take it all in."

Only five of the 19 Gold Badge umpires at the U.S. Open this year are women.

"The USTA has proven itself as a leader in diversity," said Littrell. "But skill is the number one factor. Eva is one of the top chair umpires in the world. Those are the facts. I think it's a great decision, quite honestly."