Roger Federer Endorses ATP's Appointment Of Brad Drewett As Exec Chair & President

Tennis player and ATP Player Council President Roger Federer "has endorsed the appointment" of Brad Drewett as the new ATP World Tour Exec Chair & President, according to Geoffrey Riddle of the LONDON TIMES. Federer said of Drewett, “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” (THETIMES.co.uk, 12/22). In Australia, Courtney Walsh noted while Drewett “won unanimous support from the board of directors and an endorsement from Roger Federer ... it is understood the issue put the latter at odds with his good friend and on-court rival Rafael Nadal.” Nadal, who is Player Council VP, “is understood to have been keen on the role going to 1996 Wimbledon champion Richard Krajicek, who withdrew his candidacy earlier this month” (THE AUSTRALIAN, 12/24). In Melbourne, Leo Schlink wrote Drewett “is there -- and deservedly so -- for his expertise, experience, leadership and strength.” He now “gets the chance, on a global stage, to showcase why he is so highly regarded in tennis.” Drewett has been “resoundingly successful as tournament director of the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals and is an accomplished businessman.” He was also known as “a player of repute, in singles and doubles.” Schlink: “If the unanimous support of the board that chose him is any guide, Drewett will be an immediate unifying force” (HERALDSUN.com.au, 12/24).

TOOK A WHILE, BUT WORTH IT: SI.com’s Jon Wertheim wrote the ATP Chair & President “should be one of the real plum positions in sports.” Wertheim: "That it took half a year to fill? That speaks -- unflatteringly -- to a lot of issues, not least the inherently flawed structure.” On the other hand, "the ATP filled the position. With a quality leader. Before the year ended. And the vote among board members was unanimous.” Drewett is “well-liked and well-regarded and shies away from controversy." He also is an "insider -- which is both good and bad.” On what Drewett’s mandate is, Wertheim wrote, “Apart from generating more sponsorships and more favorable television and media deals, Drewett will have to figure out how to approach the four Grand Slam events. The Slams are terrifically profitable and allocate a scandalously low percentage of their revenue to the players as prize money. On the other hand, the players don't have much leverage here. The majors are the tentpole events … it’s hard to see why or how the majors will feel pressure to act” (SI.com, 12/22).