Brad Drewett has been appointed as the new executive chairman and president of the ATP.
Australian ex-player lands leading role in men's tennis
Former player Brad Drewett has been appointed as the new boss of the Association of Tennis Professionals.
On Thursday the ATP announced Drewett would take over from Adam Helfant as executive chairman and president from January 1.
Helfant announced earlier this year that he would stand down at the end of December.
Australian Drewett, who has been overseeing ATP operations in the Middle East, Asia and Pacific regions and been tournament director at the ATP World Tour Finals, has been appointed for the next three years.
Who would take the job had been the subject of much speculation and things took a twist last week when former Wimbledon champion Richard Krajicek announced he was withdrawing from the race, while Ian Ritchie, the boss of Wimbledon, left tennis to take up the chief executive's role at the Rugby Football Union.
Honoured
Drewett has now been appointed and he said: "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.
"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."
One of Drewett's top priorities in his new role will be placating the game's leading stars who have long been pleading for a reduction in the length of the season.
The season will be cut by two weeks in 2012 but the players want further changes made to the calendar.
Nonetheless Roger Federer, president of the ATP Player Council, welcomed the appointment of Drewett, saying: "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."
The 53-year-old was ranked at a high of 34 in the singles rankings during his playing career, winning two ATP titles.
