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Martin Etheridge
Martin’s role as IBTA’s Head of Technical, which he started in 2020, spans the development of rules, equipment, coaching, competitions and officiating. He has been an active sports’ official for over 40 years including football, badminton and tennis.
After gaining his International Tennis Federation certification as a White Badge Chair Umpire, Chief and Referee in 1997 Martin went on to officiate at 28 Wimbledon tournaments and 43 Davis and Fed Cup events around the world – most recently in Norway in March 2020. He has also umpired John McEnroe on several occasions and survived!
Martin is passionate about the power of sport to make a difference and in particular sport for athletes with a disability. He has been involved in Wheelchair tennis since 2007 and his career highlights include umpiring the Wheelchair finals at Wimbledon in 2010 and 2016.
Martin first got involved in blind tennis in 2013 and was immediately hooked. After taking on responsibility as an IBTA advisor for the development of rules he then put this into practice when he managed the officials at the World Blind Tennis Championships in Ireland and Spain. His involvement has continued to grow from there. In 2021, he published the first ever book on blind tennis (Ikimasu Hai) written in English in the world.
Martin is no stranger to National Governing Body sports committees, carrying out various roles for more than 15 years including a spell as Chairman of the Association of British Tennis Officials. He is excited about being given the chance to make a difference to blind tennis at this critical point in its expansion.