Certification
Tennis officials are certified by their respective national association. The ITF also certifies officials in the categories of chair umpire, referee and chief umpire. Each ITF certification or "badge" is broken into four certification levels. The first, white badge, is considered sufficient for officiating at the highest levels of tennis within the official's own nation and is not divided into categories. The following three, bronze (chair umpire only), silver, and gold badge, are considered international certifications. These international officials are those seen at the highest levels of play like the Grand Slams, ATP and WTA Tours, and the Fed and Davis Cups.
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