Chris Kermode ousted as ATP chief, Novak Djokovic keeps mum

Chris Kermode’s tenure as ATP executive chairman and president will come to an end when his contract expires later in 2019 after the ATP Board voted against him.
The Briton has been head of the ATP since 2014, but he won’t get a third term as he failed to get the necessary support of the three players’ representatives on the board.
Former player Justin Gimelstob, TV executive David Egdes and British lawyer Alex Inglot all voted against Kermode.
“It’s been a privilege to serve as ATP Executive Chairman & President since 2014 and I’m very proud of what we have achieved during this time,” Kermode said in a statement.
“I would like to thank everyone at the ATP, and all the players and tournaments for the support over the years. I remain fully dedicated to the role for the remainder of my term and wish the organisation every success in the future.”
The news will no doubt enjoy mixed reaction as the world’s best players were split on whether or not to oust Kermode.
The likes of Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer had warned against getting rid of Kermode, but world No 1 and president of the Player Council Novak Djokovic had previously made it clear that he was in favour of change.
However, the Serb refused to “express his personal views” when asked about the decision to oust Kermode at Indian Wells on Thursday.
“I will not answer your question directly,” Djokovic is quoted as saying by BBC Sport..
“I will not express my personal views on that. By sharing that information, I expose myself and I become liable to breach of confidentiality within the structure, so I’m not willing to risk that.
“We have the inaugural ATP Cup in 2020, we have the Next Gen Finals – there are a lot of positives, without a doubt. But also there’s a lot of things that are happening internally that need a lot of addressing.”
More from Tennis365:
-
-
Indian Wells Masters: Facts and figures about the joint ATP-WTA event
-
-
A to Z of tennis for February: A ‘disrespectful’ Nick Kyrgios and an ‘inhuman’ Novak Djokovic
-
Roger Federer’s 100 singles titles: From Milan 2001 to Dubai 2019
-
Top 10 players with most singles titles: Where do Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal rank?
-
Latest
-
ATP Tour
Montreal Masters: How to watch Cameron Norrie in action
Cameron Norrie is the first of three Brits in action in the singles in Montreal today.
-
Tennis News
Mike Tyson marvels at transformative power of tennis
Mike Tyson’s daughter Milan is a budding tennis star.
-
WTA Tour
Coco Gauff moves on but Emma Raducanu suffers first-round exit in Toronto
The British number one was beaten 7-6 (0) 6-2 by Camila Giorgi but fellow teen sensation Coco Gauff moved on.
-
ATP Tour
Nick Kyrgios has mixed feelings ahead of Daniil Medvedev showdown
Nick Kyrgios faces a test of his rich vein of form.
-
News
Cameron Norrie carries British hopes in Montreal as Andy Murray falls
Norrie is chasing his third ATP Tour title of the year after going down in straight sets to Daniil Medvedev in the final in Los Cabos.
-
US Open
Serena Williams retirement: Greg Rusedski not discounting ‘box office’ Serena to retire on a high at US Open
Serena Williams to bow out on a high by winning the US Open?
-
News
Serena Williams retirement: Tennis might never see such a remarkable icon ever again
The remarkable career of Serena Williams is drawing to a close.
-
WTA Tour
Serena Williams’ greatest milestones as she prepares to bid farewell: Open Era Grand Slam record, prize money
Serena Williams has had quite a career.
-
WTA Tour
Serena Williams confirms she will retire after US Open, but doesn’t want ‘ceremonial, final on-court moment’
Time to shed a tear or two, the great Serena Wiliams is to retire after the US Open.