Draper Set To Stand Down As Tennis Chief

Roger Draper will step down from his role as the chief executive of the Lawn Tennis Association at the end of September, ending a seven-year reign at the top of British tennis. 

Draper took over at the head of the governing body in 2006 after fulfilling the same role at Sport England.

The term ends the year after Andy Murray finally broke the British duck in the Grand Slam competition, ending a wait of over 70 years when he triumphed at the US Open in 2012.

The women’s game is also on the rise with both Heather Watson and Laura Robson breaking into the top 50 in the world.

However, Draper has endured criticism for disappointing results at elite level despite record levels of income, while tennis also had £10 million of funding withheld by Sport England in December, due to decreasing participation figures.

The LTA was keen to stress the decision was taken solely by the chief executive, who feels it is the right time to stand down.

Draper said in a statement: ‘It has been a huge honour to serve the sport that I love so much and to play my part in leading British tennis. I have been very lucky to work with fantastic people both at the LTA and across the wider tennis community, and I would like to thank them all for their passion, commitment and hard work.’

‘As a result, the sport is entering a very exciting phase, and now is the right time for me to hand over the baton to a new leader who can build on what has been achieved in recent years and take British tennis to new levels.’

David Gregson, independent chairman of the LTA board, added: ‘Roger has made a significant contribution to the development of British tennis and [the LTA president] Peter Bretherton and I would like to thank him for all his hard work in driving these changes.’ 

LTA will now begin the process of finding a successor, with Draper continuing in his role as CEO until the end of September.