Earlier this morning Stacey Allaster announced that she would step down from her position as CEO of the WTA, citing “personal reasons.” She will not officially step down until October 2nd but her contract as made by the Board of Directors on the WTA had her committed through 2017.
“It’s been a privilege to lead the organization that Billie Jean King founded and to have worked with the world’s best female athletes, dedicated tournament promoters and passionate and professional WTA team members. For 25 years I have dedicated my professional life to the sport and I’m proud of the work I leave behind,” Allaster said. “But the recent loss of my brother-in-law and the ATP’s CEO, Brad Drewett, has provided a personal wake-up call about life, family and priorities and it is time for me to shift some time and energy that way. When I joined the WTA my goal was to leave the organization on a stronger footing and I feel a humble sense of pride in what we have all accomplished here. I have focused on what it means to be a champion and I have tried to be a strong role model for women to encourage success in the sports industry,” claimed Allaster in a note left earlier this morning.
Allaster initially became president of the company in 2006 and was promoted to chairman and CEO in July of 2009. She has received praise for working throughout the tough economy and globalizing the sport to even greater heights under her position. One of the more noticeable features that she has established is the WTA’s greater presence in Asia.
Li Na became the first Asian woman to win a grand slam after claiming the Roland Garros crown in 2011. Li’s popularity and endorsements soared after that triumph and left a huge market in the Asian continent to explore. It even gave way to the new Premier 5 event in Wuhan, Li Na’s hometown. In addition, many more Asian countries have had the opportunity to host WTA tournaments in the last few years thanks to Allaster’s efforts. Allaster has fought for equal prize money throughout her time as CEO as well and is responsible for the dramatic increase in prize money in WTA tournaments as well.
In spite of all that she has done, Allaster has received a lot of complaints from fans of the WTA. Many believed that she tried to push the Asian market too far and made the fall season too Asian centric despite poor attendances in many of the tournaments. In addition, her constant exploitation of Canadian star Eugenie Bouchard also left a bitter taste in the mouths of many who believed that Bouchard has not accomplished enough on court to deserve the kind of exposure she has gotten. Nevertheless, since her semifinal run at the Australian Open last year, Bouchard has become the face in almost all of the WTA’s marketing opportunities. There is no doubt that Allaster’s Canadian nationality played a role in this; it is no surprise considering Canada’s small tennis history that Allaster would love her to get as much attention as possible.
Regardless of what one thinks of Allaster, her work ethic and contribution to the WTA cannot be denied and will be a missed presence on the WTA tour with her eccentric personality. Jelena Jankovic knows this story better than anyone as the two hit the dance floor in the WTA Championships in Istanbul in 2014.
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