Chair umpire talks earning gold badge, motherhood on tour

It tends to be the Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka figures of the tennis world who garner attention and acclaim, rightly deserved, for doubling as mothers on tour. The series titled "Interview with an Umpire" series on the WTA's website has anew installment about a chair umpire who also carries the title of mom around with her on tour.

Enter Paula Vieira Souza of Brazil, noted by writer Victoria Chiesa as the first Latin American woman to earn a gold badge in tennis officiating. As Chiesa writes, "At age 17 in 1999, she enrolled in a national officiating tennis school in her home city of Porto Alegre, and her road to the WTA began shortly after."

Now 38, and married to fellow officiating pro Fabio Souza, Paula told the WTA, "I think the number of female officials around the world, especially in Latin America, is way better than it was even 10 years ago.”

The Brazilian speaks candidly about her time away from tour to have her child in March 2019 and then bond with her baby girl, Bethania. She was used to spending 25 weeks a year traveling to WTA events, including two Grand Slams.

Paula Vieira Souza/WTA

“When I found out I was pregnant, I went to Canada, to Washington, D.C. and through the U.S. swing [in 2018], and not many knew," Vieira Souza said. “I think nobody realized at all until I was around with a baby in my arms and people were like, ‘When did this happen? Is she yours?’ And I was like, ‘Yes, I’m pretty sure she’s mine!’”

Since receiving her white badge in 2004, Vieira Souza didn't stop touring for any length of time until her maternity leave. Missing tennis, Vieira Souza brought her daughter with her when she returned in June, with her mother and colleagues helping watch Bethania while she's in the chair. Little Bethanie handles travel, long days on site, being juggled between eager arms and long naps in noisy lounges like a pro.

"She traveled with us to eight WTA events and two Grand Slams last year," Vieira Souza said. "Almost all the months of her life so far, she’s at tennis events. Fortunately, she’s a calm and easy baby. She doesn’t cry at all. She gets along with everybody."

It's refreshing candor from anyone, let alone a semi-public figure. And as a byproduct for your own tennis health, read the full, robust story not just for her inspiring tale but also as you may learn some new-to-you things about the sport's officiating.