Former British tennis player Ross Hutchins was announced as the Vice President of ATP Player Relations yesterday.
The ATP made the announcement that the former Davis Cup doubles player would take a full-time position, beginning his duties today.
Following his recent retirement from professional tennis after this year’s US Open, Hutchins is delighted with his new challenge.
“It’s a great honour to join the ATP as Vice President, Player Relations.
“With my playing career only recently behind me, I’ve always known that I wanted to remain in professional tennis after retiring as a player,” he told the ATP.
“Over the course of the past decade, I established a strong rapport with many players as contemporaries and I’m now looking forward to working with them in this new capacity. I couldn’t be more excited to get started in my new role.”
Executive Chairman and President, Chris Kermode, who Hutchins will report to, welcomed the former doubles player on board.
He said: “I have had the pleasure of working with Ross in a number of different roles in recent years, and I have no doubt his appointment as Vice President, ATP Player Relations, represents a fantastic addition to our team at the ATP.”
..Thank you to everyone who have supported me in my career so far, really looking forward to the next challenge !
— Ross Hutchins (@RoscoHutchins) September 30, 2014
Hutchins has already had a taste of the player relations side of the tour as he served as Tournament Director at the Aegon Championships at The Queen’s Club earlier in the year.
Joining the senior management staff, he will lead the Player Relations Department working closely with the player board and player services.
ATP Player Representative and Board Member, Justin Gimelstob told SW Londoner: “Ross is well respected and well-liked among the players and we are hoping that he can make the transition to the business side of the sport.
“Knowing him, his work ethic and his experience of being Tournament Director at the Aegon Championships, I have full confidence he will.”
Feliciano Lopez, current world number 20, took to Twitter to congratulate Hutchins on his appointment.
@feliciano_lopez @ATPWorldTour gracias Feli, thanks a lot!
— Ross Hutchins (@RoscoHutchins) September 30, 2014
Having made a full recovery from Hodgkin’s Lymphoma disease and returning to professional tennis in January 2014, Hutchins had a career-high of 26 in doubles, won five ATP World Tour doubles titles and represented Great Britain in the Davis Cup on numerous occasions.
Image courtesy of British Tennis LTA via YouTube, with thanks
