01/01/2012 19:30 CEST - ATP Tour

Brad Drewett
new ATP CEO

brad drewett

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Brad Drewett, former player and current ATP senior executive, has been named as the organisation’s new Executive Chairman and President, it was announced today. He begins his role on January 1, 2012, and will be based in the ATP's London office.

The 53-year-old Australian’s 3-year appointment was voted unanimously by the ATP Board of Directors with Drewett considered to be ideally qualified to take on the multi-faceted role with his extensive experience at the ATP. Drewett currently serves as CEO of the ATP International Group, where he has overseen operations in the Middle East, Asia and Pacific regions since 1999. Prior to that, Drewett served as an elected member of the Player Council and an ATP Player Board Representative (1993-1999). He has also been Tournament Director of the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals and formerly the Tennis Masters Cup since 2001, and has been instrumental in the event’s tremendous success.

During his 12-year professional playing career, Drewett reached a career-high ranking of 34 in singles, winning two ATP World Tour titles (Cairo in 1982 and Orange County in 1983), and represented Australia in Davis Cup competition. The Australian Open Junior champion (1975, 1977) reached the quarter-finals in his first Grand Slam in Melbourne in 1976.

“I am honoured to have this opportunity to lead the ATP, an organisation that I am proud to have been a part of since the beginning of my professional playing career,” Drewett said. “The ATP World Tour and men’s tennis are stronger than ever and it is my intention to continue to lead the organisation on this successful path, working hand in hand with our players and tournaments. I am very excited about the opportunities ahead.”

ATP Player Council President Roger Federer said, “Brad is a very experienced executive and has been an effective leader within the ATP for many years. He understands the global nature of the business as well as the complexities of dealing with all of the Tour's stakeholders. I am confident that Brad's work ethic and leadership will help contribute to the continued success of the ATP World Tour.”

ATP Board Representative Gavin Forbes said, “Brad has the perfect combination of proven business abilities and understanding of player and tournament perspectives to oversee the continued growth of the ATP World Tour. He has been an integral part of the Tour’s success over the last decade, and will be able to get straight to work in January thanks to his deep relationships within the sport.”

Drewett will begin his new job Jan. 1, the ATP said in an e- mailed statement today. Helfant announced in June that he would leave at the end of the year “for professional reasons.”

Helfant boosted the Tour’s commercial revenue by 80 percent through sponsorships with companies including Grupo Modelo SAB’s Corona Extra beer brand, FedEx Corp., champagne brand Moet & Chandon, Johnson & Johnson’s Compeed and a tourism agreement with Rio de Janeiro.

The graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard Law School and a former vice president of Nike Inc. also shortened the men’s tennis season, a focus of his tenure. From the end of 2012, the offseason will be extended to seven weeks from five weeks to give players more time to rest and recuperate.