Sören Friemel

Sören Friemel is a German sports executive and internationally respected tennis official, recognised for his integrity, fairness, and leadership in global officiating. Born in Münster in 1971, he began his career as a line judge before achieving the prestigious Gold Badge certification—the highest officiating rank in tennis. From early roles at local tournaments, his expertise carried him to the world stage, including officiating at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
Friemel’s career reached prominence when he was appointed Head of Officiating at the International Tennis Federation (2014–2022). In this role, he oversaw global officiating standards, managed referee training across continents, and developed ethical frameworks that strengthened integrity in the sport. He supervised officials at the Olympic Games, Davis Cup, and Billie Jean King Cup, ensuring impartiality and professionalism under the highest pressure.
One defining moment came at the 2020 US Open, when Friemel, as tournament referee, was tasked with enforcing the rules in the high-profile disqualification of Novak Djokovic. His firm yet fair decision underscored his reputation as one of the most influential referees in the world.
Beyond officiating, Friemel served as US Open Chief of Officials (2016–2018) and Referee (2019–2020), and has consulted for the German Tennis Federation on national tournaments. He also contributed to innovation by co-developing Tennis-Ticker, a live scoring system used internationally.
Today, as Vice President at APG, Friemel applies his governance, operational, and strategic expertise to support tournament operations and global business development. Fluent in German and English, he continues to embody impartiality, organisational excellence, and a deep commitment to sport. His legacy lies not only in the matches he refereed but in the officiating standards and governance principles he helped establish for future generations.