The officials feature in many iconic Wimbledon moments, but the umpire’s chair has changed little over the years.
As part of an internal design competition, the KSS team was challenged to design a bespoke chair for The Championships to celebrate the club’s centenary year and to improve comfort functionality and technological integration while remaining a part of the background, ensuring the focus remained on the tennis. Three design concepts were submitted, and the winning design was chosen by the Club.
Inspired by traditional wooden tennis rackets and Wimbledon’s ‘tennis in an English garden’ setting, the new chair features a singular timber form with oak and ash detailing.
The design achieves a sculptural elegance, slimline functionality, stability, ergonomics and technological integration while harmonising with its surroundings and preserving clear views.
The result is an evolution of a Wimbledon icon.