My Week: John Parry

The 70-year-old linesman and former umpire prepares to retire from Wimbledon but not before one last match: the men's final on Sunday

Monday

I've been an international tennis umpire for the past 30 years and I've done seven or eight Wimbledon finals, but I retired from the chair three years ago.

I've always liked calling lines so I decided be take up being a linesman again. It's an unusual progression because most people usually do it the other way round and finish their career as an umpire. This is going to be my last tennis championship as I'm 70 years old now, so I've decided to step down after this week. I'm from Nottinghamshire so I stay with friends while I'm down here. I arrive at the courts at 10.30am. I'm supposed to finish my day at 8.15pm but because of Andy Murray's late match. It's a terrific match and I really have to concentrate with the crowd going wild.

Tuesday

I work on Court One today. There's a mix of matches and it's another late finish. There's nothing more miserable than Wimbledon in the rain, so I'm so thrilled with the weather that we're having. The heat has been pretty dramatic, but because I've been in international umpiring for a long time, which has involved working in the Far East and Australia, where temperatures are much higher than this, I can handle it.

Wednesday

I'm not on Andy's quarter-final match today but it's chaotic here! I think Murray's improving every single year. We're not supposed to comment on the players, so I'd better not talk! The atmosphere is remarkable and I'm really looking forward to the final on Sunday. But wouldn't it be wonderful if Murray was in it? It would be one of the most sensational days here in years, It's been so long since a Brit was in that position.

Thursday

I'm back on Court One today for the men's doubles semi-final. It is very difficult because they all have such big feet which obscure the lines. You have to be very mobile and jig around as the player jigs around. In the evening I'm called to the umpire's office and I'm given a letter telling me that I will be one of the linesmen in the men's final on Sunday. You get marked on every single shift you do throughout the fortnight and those who score the highest mark get asked to do the final. I didn't think I'd be in the running, frankly, so I'm really chuffed to find out they've chosen me.

Friday

It's an early finish for me today, which is nice. I've always loved tennis. When I was young my father ran the local tennis club from our house. Then I played junior Wimbledon, played for Wales and ended up doing a degree in PE. I played tennis for the RAF when I was in the air force. It's been such a big part of my life. Umpiring has taken me all round the world and I've seen all the greats. My memories take me from McEnroe, through Sampras up to Federer. I'm delighted to do my final match on the men's final on Sunday; it's quite a way to go out. It's been an amazing journey, you might say.