In tennis, the line judge is supposed to be an impartial observer, just there to call the lines and keep things fair. However, for some players, that person standing at the baseline becomes Public Enemy No. 1 when a call doesn’t go their way.
These tennis stars didn’t just question the calls—they asked about the very existence of line judges. From icy stares to full-blown meltdowns, these players made it clear: Disagree with them at your own risk.
15. Daniil Medvedev
Medvedev doesn’t just argue—he rants. A missed call can quickly spiral into a dramatic monologue with plenty of sass and finger-pointing.
14. Jelena Ostapenko
Subtlety is not Ostapenko’s thing, especially when she thinks the line judge is blind. She’s been known to shout, scoff, and roll her eyes like it’s a Broadway performance.
13. Fabio Fognini
Fognini treats line judges like they insulted his entire family. The man brings an opera-level intensity to every single disagreement.
12. Andy Roddick
Roddick’s sarcasm was his signature weapon, and line judges often bore the brunt of it. He’d raise an eyebrow, drop a one-liner, and completely unravel over one close call.
11. Martina Hingis
Hingis could be icy and cutting when she didn’t like a call. Her glares alone could cause a line judge to reconsider their career choice.
10. Nick Kyrgios
Kyrgios has turned fighting with line judges into a full-blown subplot of his matches. He doesn’t hold back, and the drama almost always follows.
9. Marat Safin
Safin didn’t just yell—he destroyed rackets, stared down officials, and questioned reality. The line judge was often just collateral damage in the chaos.
8. Aryna Sabalenka
Sabalenka wears her emotions on her sleeve, including some less-than-friendly reactions to line calls. The death stares are immediate and unrelenting.
7. Ernests Gulbis
Gulbis had a short fuse and a long list of complaints, many of which were directed at line judges. He brought a chaotic energy that always kept the umpires on edge.
6. Serena Williams
Serena is a legend, but she’s had some unforgettable blowups involving line judges. When she feels disrespected or wronged, the intensity goes through the roof.
5. Bernard Tomic
Tomic often seemed more interested in arguing than competing, and line judges were easy targets. His energy was less “passionate disagreement” and more “full-on sulk.”
4. Andre Agassi
In his early years, Agassi’s rebellious streak included many confrontations with officials. His glare was lethal, and his protests were frequent.
3. Victoria Azarenka
Azarenka doesn’t hold back when she thinks she’s right, including sharp words for line judges. Her voice goes up, her hands go out, and the fireworks start fast.
2. John McEnroe
The gold standard of losing it on a line judge. No one—and I mean no one—did full-volume outrage better than Johnny Mac.
Read More: The 20 Most Overconfident Tennis Stars of All Time
1. Novak Djokovic
Djokovic has had enough line judge drama to fill a documentary, including the time he accidentally hit one with a ball and got defaulted from a Grand Slam. At this point, it feels like he’s cursed regarding line officials.
Read More: Bad Boys (and Girls) of Tennis: The 15 Most Disliked Players
