London - The ATP has again stepped outside of tennis to
find a leader, Monday appointing former Nike marketer Adam Helfant as
ATP executive chairman and president.
The 44-year-old will take the dual positions formerly held by ex-
Disney Europe boss Etienne de Villiers, who stepped down under player
pressure at the end of December.
The ATP decision overlooks ATP Asia-Pacific executive Brad
Drewett, a former player with close links to the players as
tournament director of the Shanghai Masters Cup for the past five
editions.
Helfant, an MIT and Harvard Law graduate, served for a dozen years
at Nike, and before that at the National Hockey League in North
America.
'There is no doubt that men's professional tennis is one of the
world's most popular sports and, as a lifelong fan, it is a great
honour to have been given the opportunity to take the helm at such an
exciting time for the ATP,' Helfant said in a statement.
'The ATP World Tour is a truly global sporting event, featuring
some of the world's best athletes and followed by millions of the
most dedicated sports fans.
'I could not be more excited about being its new Executive
Chairman.'
Ivan Ljubicic, a member of the ATP Player Board, expressed his
satisfaction over the appointment.
'I am delighted, on behalf of the players, to be able to welcome
Adam to the ATP. It was our intention as a Board to recruit a world
class Executive Chairman and in Adam we are delighted and excited to
have achieved just that,' the Croat said.
USA
Your Talkback on this Story