China Tennis Federation Honors Drewett

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 7th October 2013

China Tennis Federation Honors Drewett

epa03688818 Madrid Open tournament's managing director Manolo Santana (2nd R), tennis players Serena Williams (3rd R) from the USA, Spain's Rafael Nadal (C), Swiss Roger Federer (3rd L), Britain's Andy Murray (2nd L) and Serbia's Novak Djokovic (L) observe a minute of silence for ATP CEO Brad Drewett, who died at the age of 54 from a motor neurone disease on 03 May 2013, during the Madrid Open tennis tournament at the Caja Magica pavilion in Madrid, central Spain, 05 May 2013. EPA/ALBERTO MARTIN |

Brad Drewett, the late Executive Chairman and President of the ATP World Tour who tragically passed away five months ago after battling Motor Neurone or Lou Gehrig’s Disease, was honored by having the No.1 court at Beijing’s National Tennis Center named in his memory.

Drewett, who died at the age of 54, was a pioneer in the movement to take top-flight tennis into Asia and the dedication was made to honor the Australian’s outstanding contribution to the development of world tennis and particularly tournaments in China.

He masterminded the Tennis Masters Cup being staged in Shanghai for five years, first in 2002 and then continuously from 2005 to 2008.

A brass bust of Drewett was unveiled on court in front of an appreciative crowd before the China Open final between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal on Sunday by Alison Lee, Executive Vice President, International Group, ATP World Tour and China Open tournament co-directors Alfred Zhang and Charles Hsiung.

Lee, who succeeded Drewett as the person overseeing tournaments that stretch half way around the globe from Russia and the Middle East to New Zealand, made a moving speech and said: “Today is a special day for us here as we pay homage to Brad and all that he did in helping the growth of tennis in Asia.”

Topics: 10sballs.com, Atp World Tour, Brad Drewett, China Open, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Tennis, Tennis Masters Cup, Tennis News