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John Fajdich is the only athlete official at the tennis venue for the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games. As a line umpire, he calls balls in and out during service and play.
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John Fajdich, 43, never takes his eyes off the ball. When he takes his position at the end of the tennis court, he’s serious and focused. But he’s not getting ready to hit the ball; he’s getting ready to watch it. At the 2007 World Games, Fajdich is an athlete official at the tennis venue – the only one.
Before overall competition began, Fajdich was introduced to the tennis venue officiating team and they gave him a standing ovation, a fitting approbation for the discipline and hard work it takes to become a certified official. He’s one of them now.
Fajdich knows the sport from both angles. As a Special Olympics Illinois (USA) athlete, he’s played tennis for 17 years, winning multiple medals, and he’s been to three Special Olympics World Games. He loves other sports too, having played all 19 sports the Program offers. But tennis is his favorite.
World Games mentor John Coleman, also from Illinois, said of Fajdich, “John has evolved from a player to an official. He sees it as a graduation of sorts.”
Fajdich made the transition more than three years ago. “My coach asked me if I wanted to be an official. I said, ‘Sure, it’ll give me a chance to be a real person,’” he said.
Tennis certification in America is conferred by the United States Tennis Association (USTA). Fajdich took the exam, but that was just the first step. Certification also requires officiating at a set number of tournaments, and Fajdich has been working on getting those tournaments under his belt for three years.
He is considered an exceptionally accurate line umpire. A line umpire’s job is to stand on the farthest sideline from the chair umpire (who has the ultimate authority in a tennis match) and call balls “in” or “out” during the serve and during play.
“One player at World Games gave me a dirty look when I called the ball ‘in’; I just have to ignore that. But, I understand how he felt because when I was a player, I used to do the same thing.”
Fajdich hasn’t had anyone really scream at him, like a John McEnroe, said Coleman. “It’s hard not to be reactive, but you have to be restrained. John has shown the restraint to be composed at the USTA level,” he said.
One of Fajdich’s goals is to be a chair umpire, which requires further certification. He also hopes more people with intellectual disabilities will get involved in Special Olympics. “It gives you something productive and fun to do rather than just sit at home in a box. It also helps with shyness when you get out in the world and participate in it.” Fajdich is spreading the word about Special Olympics through his participation in the movement’s Global Messenger program.
At the 2007 World Summer Games, the ball’s in his court now, and don’t argue with him; he knows what he’s doing, and he’s good at it.
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