Tennis Australia Extends Contract With CEO Wood

Written by: Staff on 12th December 2012

Tennis Australia Extends Contract With CEO Wood

epa03085307 The spectators wait as ball kids dry the court as rain interrupts play during the Novak Djokovic of Serbia versus Rafael Nadal of Spain men's final of the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 29 January 2012. EPA/BARBARA WALTON |

Tennis Australia chief executive Steve Wood has signed a new five-year contract that will extend his tenure until at least 2017. The 50-year-old Wood has done a good job on the commercial side, with the Age reporting that due to the growth of the Australian Open, Tennis Australia’s net revenue and other income for 2011-12 was more than $172 million, up from almost $158 million in 2010-2011. It has a surplus of $3.1 million and has reinvested almost $38 million in tennis.

However, the Aussie pro landscape has been decidedly weak, with only Sam Stosur winning a singles major during his tenure and Stosur being the only Aussie woman to end 2012 ranked in the top 100 at No. 9. With former two-time Grand Slam champion Lleyton Hewitt declining and the 20-year-old Bernard Tomic embroiled in controversies, No. 49 Marinko Matosevic was the only male to end the year in the top 50.

Wood replaced Geoff Pollard in mid-2005. He took over as chief executive, while Craig Tiley was named the director of player development.

Wood said that he will focus on the implementation of the next phase of TA’s Asia/Pacific strategy with a strong focus on attracting tourism from China, and complete both stages of the redevelopment of Melbourne Park, among other things.

©Daily Tennis News Wire

Topics: Australian Open, Bernard Tomic, Lleyton Hewitt, Marinko Matosevic, Sports, Steve Wood, Tennis Australia, Tennis News