The upcoming Soweto Open, supported by the Department of Sport and Recreation will boast some of the world top tennis officials officiating at the two week international event.

The tournament, with a purse of R1.5 million prize money will be played at the Arthurs Ashe Tennis Complex in Jabavu, Soweto from Monday 29 April - Saturday 4 May (men) and Monday 6 to Saturday 11 May (women). There is no entrance fee and safe and secure parking is available. Play starts at 10h00 each day.

The ATP Tournament Supervisor for the men's event has been named as the experienced German, Hans-Juergen Ochs, who has officiated in South Africa before and works at the highest level at all the Grand Slams and on the ATP World Tour.

In a boost for officiating in South Africa and Africa, Iain Smith of Tennis South Africa has been named Referee for both events as well as Supervisor for the women's event. Smith is the highest qualified official on the continent.

Smith just returned from the ATP event in Casablanca, Morocco where Kevin Anderson reached the final. Smith also officiated at the Australian Open in January and last year's Wimbledon Championships, Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Chief of Umpires for both events is Adrian Wilson of Great Britain. Wilson serves in the same role at the Wimbledon Championships.

The full officiating team is:

Soweto Men's Open
Supervisor: Hans-Juergen Ochs (GER)
Referee: Iain Smith (RSA)
Chair Umpires: Eric Lamquet (BEL)
Tom Sweeney (AUS)
Ettore Russo (ITA)
Richard Haigh (GBR)
Tarik Safer (ALG)
Haitham Abdelhaleem (EGY)
Ghassen Azaiez (TUN)
Chief of Umpires: Adrian Wilson (GBR)
Ass. Chief of Umpires: Mpho Makhoba (RSA)

Soweto Women's Open:
Supervisor/Referee: Iain Smith (RSA)
Chair Umpires: Tom Sweeney (AUS)
Hala Badr (EGY)
Adri du Plessis (RSA)
Pieter Hoeksma (RSA)
George Phiri (RSA)
Chief of Umpires: Adrian Wilson (GBR)
Ass. Chief of Umpires: Mpho Makhoba (RSA)