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Mike Dowse to Step Down as USTA CEO on March 1

December 8, 2021

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. & ORLANDO, Fla. (Dec. 8, 2021) — USTA CEO and Executive Director Michael Dowse is resigning his position, effective March 1.

Here’s the statement from USTA President Mike McNulty:

“I am writing to inform you all that Mike Dowse has decided to resign as USTA CEO and Executive Director. Mike’s resignation becomes effective as of March 1, 2022. I know that this was a tough decision for Mike, who has done such a great job of leading the USTA through some tough times, and it’s equally tough for all of us who have admired Mike for his professionalism and passion for our sport and this association. But Mike feels that at this point in his career, he’s ready to transition from a day-to-day operating CEO to more of an advisor or consultant role. I know Mike also is looking forward to moving back to Arizona to spend more time with his family while still contributing to the sports industry in a different capacity in the future.

“Mike was named CEO in October 2019, and in a short period of time, he has contributed greatly to the success of the USTA, the US Open, and the growth of tennis. He led the USTA through a major restructuring and the implementation of a new strategic plan that has strengthened its financial outlook and played a leading role in helping us to refine our focus on our mission to promote tennis at all levels in the U.S. In the past two years, more than four million new players have taken up the game. Mike also led the move to bring together and strengthen the tennis ecosystem through the creation of Tennis Industry United.

“As Mike said, “The USTA is now in a strong position for the future, and I am confident I will be leaving it in good hands and well-positioned for success. I want to thank our Board, the USTA staff, our many volunteers, and the wide community of people who love and play tennis, for making possible the success we have had. Working together, we demonstrated that tennis is the model sport, not only for safe and fun recreation during a pandemic but also for a lifetime.”

“I hope you’ll all join me in wishing Mike well and thanking him for his deep commitment to tennis and the steady hand he showed at a time of extraordinary challenge and uncertainty. We are a better and stronger association now because of Mike’s diligence and dedication, and because of him, we are poised for even greater success in the future.”