ATP Makeover? Calvelli Resigns as ATP CEO

By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Friday, April 4, 2025
Photograph credit score: ATP Tour

The ATP Tour is present process turnover on the high throughout a flamable time pitting some stars in opposition to the Tour.

The ATP as we speak declares that Chief Govt Officer Massimo Calvelli will step down from his position on the finish of June 2025.

Because the seek for his successor begins, ATP Chairman Andrea Gaudenzi will assume the twin position of Chairman and CEO on an interim foundation.

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“Massimo has been a incredible chief for the ATP,” Gaudenzi mentioned. “His strategic focus and tireless work ethic had been instrumental in navigating a posh interval for our sport – one wherein we’ve achieved unprecedented progress.

“I’m deeply grateful for his management and contributions, and I want him each success within the subsequent chapter.”

Calvelli’s resignation concludes his five-year tenure.

The ATP credited Calvelli with enjoying “a pivotal position in guiding the group via the challenges of the worldwide pandemic and was instrumental within the growth and execution of OneVision, ATP’s long-term strategic plan. Working intently with Gaudenzi, he oversaw transformative change throughout the ATP Tour, together with a historic enhance in participant compensation – now greater than $100 million larger in 2025 in comparison with 2019 – and record-breaking business progress.”

Regardless of the glowing ATP assertion, participant compensation stays a sticking level for some stars and is already escalating.

The continuing imbroglio between the Novak Djokovic-led PTPA and the ATP and WTA reached a brand new stage of acrimony final month because the PTPA filed a lawsuit in opposition to the ATP, WTA and ITF.

Olympic gold-medal champion Djokovic mentioned the first challenge is gamers, significantly lower-ranked gamers, are usually not receiving an ample piece of the income pie. Consequently, some lower-ranked gamers are compelled out of the game just because they can’t afford the price of international journey and training.

“At present, there are usually not sufficient gamers [making a] residing from this sport on the very best stage, we’re incomes good cash,” Djokovic advised the media in Miami. “However the motive why I have been speaking for years concerning the equal break up of the pie, or enhance of the prize cash, is due to the grassroot ranges.

“And the women and men, skilled tennis gamers which are combating to principally proceed enjoying the game. I do know, personally, very large variety of gamers which have left tennis, significantly throughout COVID time due to lack of funds. And so, I feel I do not know precisely these days, the variety of gamers which are in a position to make a residing from this sport?”

In an article printed by the French sporting journal L’équipe studies the High 20 gamers from the ATP and WTA Tour have signed a letter that calls for a higher proportion of revenues from the 4 Grand Slams.

The gamers are demanding a considerable enhance in prize cash, citing the truth that they obtain a considerably smaller proportion of revenues than different sporting leagues, such because the NBA (reportedly close to 50 p.c sharing).

Djokovic, who’s pleasant with ATP President Andrea Gaudenzi, manufacturers the ATP damaged and cost it “has failed gamers so many occasions.”

Briefly, the PTPA has lengthy needed a seat on the decision-making desk and the ATP has proven the group the door. Djokovic charged the Tour continues to mute the voices of gamers and factors to lack of wide-spread session with gamers.

“It is the council of ATP that’s throughout the construction, this representing physique of gamers, and that is the way it’s been for many years,” Djokovic mentioned earlier than the 2024 Wimbledon. “I do not assume that is the very best system that we’ve. I simply assume the system has failed gamers so many occasions, so many occasions, and that is the explanation why PTPA must exist, as a result of when it comes all the way down to this sort of large choices, you already know, a variety of the gamers’ voices are usually not heard sufficient.

“Sadly, you already know, inside ATP you might have 50/50 p.c of illustration between gamers and tournaments. So you might be by no means going to have 100% gamers’ curiosity in place.”