ATP Executive Chairman and President Brad Drewett has passed away in Sydney following a battle with Motor Neurone Disease (also known as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s Disease), according to the ATP.
The ATP issued a statement, saying: “We are deeply saddened to announce that Brad Drewett passed away at his home in Sydney, Australia. Brad, who served as ATP executive chairman and president since January 2012, had been suffering from Motor Neurone Disease. Our thoughts are with Brad’s family on this extremely sad day for them, the ATP and the entire international tennis community. He will be sorely missed by all.”
Drewett began serving as ATP executive chairman and president in January 2012. Previously, he had served as the ATP’s chief executive officer for the International Group since January 2006, overseeing the growth of ATP’s operations in the Middle East, Asia and Pacific regions.
As a player, Drewett reached the Top 40 in singles and Top 20 in doubles, according to the ATP website. He won 181 singles matches, two titles—South Orange, New Jersey, in 1983, and Cairo in 1982—and seven doubles titles. He captured the Australian Open boys’ singles title in 1975 and one year later reached the Australian Open singles quarterfinals in his Grand Slam debut. He also reached two Australian Open doubles semifinals and the Wimbledon doubles quarterfinals.