Tributes for former Wimbledon referee
TRIBUTES have been pouring in after one of Wimbledon’s bestknown faces died aged 88.
Alan Mills was the man who took charge of Wimbledon for decades as the All-England Club’s referee from 1983 until he stepped down in 2005.
Mr Mills, from Formby, died on Thursday, January 18, the ATP Tour announced.
Described by the ATP as having “impeccable character and integrity”, Mr Mills continued to act as referee at some events up until 2015.
After the news was announced, leading names in the game paid tribute.
Taking to X, formerly Twitter, tennis commentator David Law said: “Alan Mills was calm in the face of a storm – whether it be the Wimbledon weather that he navigated without the help of a roof, or John McEnroe calling him out on to the court for a ‘conversation’. John loved and respected him. My experience was Alan was kind, welcoming and fun.”
Tennis legend and six-time Wimbledon winner Billie Jean King tweeted: “Alan Mills, longtime @Wimbledon referee, has passed away.
“Alan was loved and respected by all who knew him.
I am so pleased we were able to spend time with him at Wimbledon last year at the Last 8 Club dinner. Sending our thoughts and prayers to his family.”
Twitter user Nicky wrote: “Very sad to see that Alan Mills has died. Condolences to his family and friends. Lovely man.”
In 2009, Mr Mills, who lived in Surrey, said he always looked forward to coming back to Merseyside as he returned to Liverpool for the International Tennis Tournament at Calderstones.
He added: “I do enough to keep myself busy.
“But before all that it’s Liverpool and I always look forward to coming back. It’s so unusual and so wonderful to have an event like this in a public park it really is unique.
“The first time I came here there was nothing.
“I asked them where the centre court was and they said I was standing on it.
“The transformation is so quick and they do a great job.”
He was himself a talented player, becoming senior Lancashire county champion aged 17 and reaching the last 16 in the Wimbledon men’s singles twice, as well as the doubles semi-final in 1966.