After a long and drawn-out process, the ATP announced that it has appointed Great Britain’s Chris Kermode as its new Executive Chairman & President. Kermode, who is currently the tournament director of Queen’s Club as well as the managing director of the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals, will begin a three-year term starting on January 1, 2014.
The ATP Board of Directors had battled back and forth since the passing of former CEO Brad Drewett in May, as the three tournament and three player representatives were unable to settle on a candidate. Longtime ATP executive Mark Young was in contention, along with Indian Wells Tournament director Steve Simon, as was former WTA executive and current NBA executive David Shoemaker.
But the board finally settled on Kermode, who will be the organization's first CEO from Europe. Recent CEOs include Australia's Drewett, American Adam Helfant, South African Etienne de Villiers, and American Mark Miles
In a press release, the ATP claims Kermode was a “unanimous choice by the ATP Board of Directors,” even though the board was still unable to come to a decision two weeks ago during the ATP World Tour Finals, when it was anticipated they would make an announcement.
Roger Federer, who is considered to be a major powerbroker in the sport in his position as president of the ATP Player Council, said, "Chris has a lot of experience having worked in a number of different capacities in tennis over the years and he has all the attributes required to lead the ATP World Tour forward during this period of unprecedented popularity and success."
Mark Webster, ATP Board Tournament Representative, added, "Chris's experience in the sports and entertainment industry, his business acumen and his established relationships in tennis make him the perfect candidate to lead the ATP.”