The 46-year old Italian will become the new ATP chairman at the beginning of 2020, on a four-year term. Gaudenzi will take over Chris Kermond, who previously announced his departure at the end of the year.
Gaudenci played tennis in the 90s, won three titles and reached a career-high world ranking of No.18, back in 1995. He also won against Roger Federer in 2002, when Federer was a 21-year-old, making a breakthrough on the Tour.
ATP has played a central role in my life in so many ways, and the opportunity I am given to lead this organisation is a great honour. I’m grateful for the opportunity that is being given to me, and I look forward to overseeing the future direction of the Tour, and building on the sport’s global success and popularity at what is unquestionably one of the most exciting times in the history of men’s professional tennis.
Gaudenzi, who was the unanimous pick of the ATP board of directors, was working on the board of ATP media. He took part in restructuring the broadcast arm of the Tour.
Novak Djoković, the world’s top-ranked tennis player and the president of the ATP Players Council, welcomed the decision to appoint Gaudenzi as the new president of the Association of Tennis Professionals.
On behalf of the players, I want to welcome Andrea to ATP. As a former player, he knows how to play tennis; he was in our shoes. He became a successful businessman after his playing career. He has all the qualities to lead the Tour, and I look forward to working together in the benefit of both the players and the sport itself, said Novak Djoković.
Gaudenzi graduated with a law degree in Bologna after he retired from tennis, and got a master’s degree in business administration in Monaco.
Kermode, whose contract will expire at the end of 2019, has announced in March that he would like to resign from his role, ending a tenure that brought record prize money in tennis. He was, however, facing frequent complaints from lower-ranked players about pay and travel schedules.
