Andy Roddick takes a swipe at the current leadership structure of the ATP, which has a seven-person board of directors—with three tournament representatives, three players representatives and a CEO, who casts a tie-breaking vote on issues if necessary.
After current ATP CEO Adam Helfant decided to step down at the end of this year, the tour is searching for its third CEO in the past seven years.
Roddick’s career has spanned three different CEO’s: Mark Miles, Etienne De Villiers and for the past three years former Nike executive Helfant. "We have had different types; very abrasive kind of showy personalities in there; we’ve had more of a demure, quiet, smart person in there," Roddick told reporters. "We’ve covered our personality bases. I think at a certain point you have to look at the system as being flawed as opposed to continually looking for the scapegoat. You don’t go into negotiation and have someone represent both sides. It just doesn’t happen in any business transaction or negotiation. I don’t think it’s the CEO’s fault. It’s an impossible situation. I think the system is suspect."
Helfant will depart on December 31 and the tour has yet to name a replacement. "Hopefully someone can get in there and win the battle of rhetoric one of these times and get someone to approve some changes," Roddick said. "But under the present system, he really can’t. Some of the good ol’ boys club have it figured out pretty good. It’s not an easy position. It’s not as if we haven’t had smart people."