Sikh Wimbledon umpire gets MBE

Raghbir Singh Mhajan, who officiated at Wimbledon, has been awarded an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in recognition of his services to tennis.

Mhajan, who is registered with the All England Lawn Tennis Association and has officiated at the famous lawns for 29 years, "was honoured with the appointment on the occasion of Queen's Birthday Honours today", a statement from the All India Tennis Association said.

Mhajan began his career as a linesman with the Kenyan Lawn Tennis Association in Nairobi, where he was born.

Among the many experiences in his long career, the most colourful would be his differences on court with tennis legend John McEnroe.

It was only last year that Mhajan and McEnroe settled their differences that had lasted over a few years, the AITA statement added.