Dick Wertheim

Who was Dick Wertheim?

Richard "Dick" Wertheim was an American tennis linesman who suffered a fatal injury on September 10, 1983, during a match at the 1983 US Open.

Wertheim's fatal injury occurred after Stefan Edberg sent an errant serve directly into his groin. The official had been sitting in a chair and officiating at the center line when the blow knocked him backward. He fell out of the chair and onto the hardcourt surface, striking his head.

Wertheim was unconscious when he was taken to Flushing Hospital and Medical Center. He died on September 15. His family sued the United States Tennis Association for $2.25 million.