Former WTA chief Allaster joining USTA to lead pro tennis

Stacey Allaster is returning to tennis.

The former WTA Chairman and CEO has been named to the newly created position of Chief Executive, Professional Tennis, with the USTA, rejoining the game after a six-month absence. Allaster stepped down from her post atop the WTA in October 2015 after leading the organization, first as its president, then as its chairman, for nine-plus years.

With the USTA, Allaster, 52, will be tasked with setting the strategic vision for the USTA’s pro tennis division, with oversight that includes the US Open, the Emirates Airline US Open Series and the Western & Southern Open, among others. In addition, she will work closely with the USTA’s board of directors and the current USTA pro tennis staff to ensure the continued viability of professional tennis in the United States.   

Allaster will begin her new role in April, splitting time between the USTA’s national headquarters in White Plains, N.Y., and the new USTA National Campus in Orlando, Fla. The USTA National Campus, which will be home to USTA Player Development and USTA Pro Circuit staff, is currently under construction and is slated to open later this year.

“Stacey’s track record in tennis is exemplary,” said Katrina Adams, USTA Chairman of the Board, CEO and President. “She is a role model, has been a success at every level of the sport and is driven by a passion for tennis. We know that she will help bring the USTA’s professional tennis interests to even greater heights.”

USTA Chief of Professional Tennis Operations and US Open Tournament Director David Brewer will continue in his current role, reporting to Allaster. In turn, Allaster will report to USTA Executive Director and COO Gordon Smith.

“Stacey’s commitment to the sport is second to none, and her track record of sustained success would be hard to surpass,” said Smith. “We have added a one-of-a-kind asset to our world-class professional team here at the USTA, and we couldn’t be more thrilled.”

Allaster (pictured above with Ana Ivanovic and Serena Williams at the 2014 WTA Finals) has enjoyed a long and distinguished career in tennis. The native Canadian, who became a U.S. citizen in 2015, landed her first job at the age of 12, cleaning red clay courts at her local community tennis club. After graduating from the University of Western Ontario, where she also earned a law degree, Allaster joined Tennis Canada and rose to become the tournament director of the Canadian Open in Toronto, now known as the Rogers Cup.

She took the position of WTA president in 2006 and was promoted to chairman and CEO three years later. During her tenure, Allaster generated an estimated $1 billion for the organization and was the driving force in the WTA’s expansion into Asia, among her many accomplishments.

For her efforts, Allaster has been recognized as the Sports Media Canada Executive of the Year, the WISE Woman of the Year, a Sports Business Journal Gamechanger and one of the 10 most powerful women in sports by Forbes magazine. In 2015, she was commended by the International Tennis Hall of Fame for her contributions to the sport.