ATP: Chairman Brad Drewett dies

[truebluefan]

Brad Drewett, a former tour player who led the ATP as executive chairman and helped increase prize money at Grand Slam tournaments, died Friday. He was 54.

He had Lou Gehrig's disease, and the governing body of men's tennis said in a statement he died at his home in Sydney.

"The tennis world lost a strong leader, true gentleman and a great friend today in ATP executive chairman and president Brad Drewett," said David Haggerty, USTA chairman, CEO and president in a statement. "Brad left an indelible mark on the game and everyone who knew him. The USTA will continue to keep Brad in our thoughts as well as his family, friends and ATP staff."

Drewett was a top-40 singles and top-20 doubles player before he retired in 1990. He was hired in 2006 to lead operations in the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific regions. He led the ATP since January 2012.

International Tennis Federation president Francesco Ricci Bitti called Drewett "a valued friend and colleague."

"We were very happy to support him during his various roles at the ATP, most recently as chairman," he said. "His knowledge, experience and enthusiasm will be a great loss to the whole sport."

Players Rafael Nadal and Mardy Fish were among those expressing condolences.

"A very sad day for the world of sports and tennis in particular," Nadal, an 11-time major champion, wrote on Facebook. "Our president Brad has passed away. Rest in peace."

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