The Dr. Johnson Tennis Umpire Chair We Didn’t Know We Needed.

dr. johnson tennis umpire chair hero IIHIH

Add this to the list of things I didn’t know I was going to need when I return in my next life as the owner of my ocean-view, art-filled, sustainable luxury compound complete with a tennis court or two. I don’t know how it could have possibly slipped my mind that, if I’m gonna have a court, I’m gonna need an ump’s chair. Thankfully, there’s a beautiful one out there: The Dr. Johnson Tennis Umpire Chair

Dr. Johnson Tennis Umpire Chair

mckinnon and harris dr johnson tennis umpire chair

This handcrafted Tennis Umpire Chair from Richmond, Virgina’s McKinnon and Harris, with a lifetime warranty, is an enduring tribute to The Godfather of Black Tennis, Whirlwind Johnson.

Dr. Johnson Tennis Umpire Chair shown in Marrakech Blue
Dr. Johnson Tennis Umpire Chair shown in Marrakech Blue

The Dr. Johnson Tennis Umpire Chair was named after Tennis Hall of Fame inductee, Dr. Robert Walter “Whirlwind” Johnson. Known as the Godfather of Black Tennis, the former football All-American built a tennis dynasty in Lynchburg, Virginia that produced the first two African-American grand slam champions, Althea Gibson and Arthur Ashe.

Dr. Robert Whirlwind Johnson 1965 NY times
Dr. Robert “Whirlwind” Johnson, 1965 photo: NY times

Like all of McKinnon and Harris’ stunning outdoor estate, garden and yacht furniture, it’s intelligently designed, well-made, durable and aesthetically attractive.

Watercolor by McKinnon and Harris Co-founder Anne Massie, photo @kipdawkinsphoto
Umpire Chair shown with McKinnon and Harris’ Perrow Drinks Cart, Graves Dining Chairs and Maury Dining Table.

With a high performance aluminum frame guaranteed for life, the hand-crafted Tennis Umpire Chair stands a total of 80″ tall with a seat height is 63.25″. Each chair features a bespoke bronze nameplate commemorating the legacy of American tennis legend Dr. Johnson. The nameplate design features a laurel wreath, a classical symbol of elite champions, along with three tennis balls.

Thoughtful details include; an environmentally friendly undercoating and a high-performance finish guaranteed for 5 years, solid aluminum legs and wheels, feet with replaceable, non-adjustable surface protectors (glides) made from a high performance polymer and synthetic teak wood stairs used for yacht decking.

The steps are made from synthetic teak engineered to last for many years
Solid aluminum wheels and legs give it heft.

The Umpire chair is available in any color from McKinnon and Harris’ sophisticated signature color palette, inspired by nature to complement any landscape.

Umpire chair shown in Bermuda Hundreds Blue, Gwynn’s Island Grey and Marrakech Blue

An optional knife-edge 2.5” box constructed seat cushion with welting is available in any of their Italian Yachting performance fabrics for an extra charge.

DIMENSIONS:
Length 24.5″
Depth 53″
Height 80″
Seat Height 63.25″
Arm height 72.5″

PRICE: Beginning at $23,040 USD

Learn more here

photos by Kip Dawkins for McKinnon and Harris