A former umpire has claimed that he was fired by the United States Tennis Association (USTA) after pointing out racial bias in the organisation.
Anthony Nimmons has alleged that he was called a ‘monkey’ by a fellow umpire during the 2013 US Open. In a case filed to a Brooklyn court last week, it is claimed that he was demoted and then fired for flagging up racism. Nimmons, who set up a petition to stop discrimination in tennis last year, claims the USTA hired a lawyer to ‘discredit’ him when he requested an independent investigation.
“I was called “black piece of sh**” and “monkey” and told I “should go back to the ghetto.” When I reported this to management, I was disciplined in retaliation for filing complaints. When I repeatedly requested an independent investigation into my claims, the USTA even hired a defense attorney, seemingly to discredit me.” He wrote on Change.org.
Nimmons started umpiring in 1994. He has officiated at all of the four grand slam events and have covered matches featuring players such as Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Kim Clijsters and Pete Sampras. At one point he was the only African-American in the world to be certified as a silver badge chair umpire. He was also previously hired by the USTA to promote diversity and inclusion.
“I was stripped of my work — including my diversity duties and travel to the Grand Slams tennis tournaments (e.g., the Australian Open, French Open-Roland Garros, Wimbledon and the U.S. Open), to promote diversity, and where I had otherwise officiated with approval for decades,” Nimmons said in a statement included in the suit.
He added: “I love tennis and want my job back at the USTA.”
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has supported Nimmons’ case by saying that there was ‘Credible evidence confirms that Charging Party [Nimmons] was discriminated against on the basis of his race.’ The EEOC is a federal agency the investigates and enforces civil rights in the workforce. They issued Nimmons a right to sue letter on his behalf.
A spokesman from the USTA has denied the allegations made against them. Chris Widmaier said in a statement that the body ‘strictly prohibits discrimination and retaliation in its workplace.’
“We categorically deny the claims of Mr. Nimmons and will vigorously defend the suit,” he said.
Nimmons is seeking unspecified damages in the case.
