By McCarton Ackerman, USTA.com
Patrick McEnroe, General Manager of USTA Player Development, announced on Wednesday during the US Open that he will be stepping down from his position.
With the USTA planning to build a state-of-the-art facility in Orlando, Fla., that will house the USTA’s Community Tennis and Player Development divisions, McEnroe announced that he would not be able to make the move to Florida.
“As we have been looking ahead to what our plans will be in Orlando at Lake Nona for the USTA and specifically for player development … it made all the sense in the world that the person in this position to be full-time based in Orlando,” he said in a press conference. “Over the course of quite a few discussions over the last few months … [I] realized that probably wasn't going to be me."
McEnroe began his role as the head of the USTA Player Development program in 2008.
“We are in such a different place because of what Patrick has done and what he's brought to this country in terms of player development,” said USTA Executive Director and COO Gordon Smith. “We have a set of regional training centers around the country. We have a very organized coaching education program to raise the level of all coaches. We have much more outreach than we have ever had before. Patrick has really created a foundation that we will build on.”
A replacement for the position has not yet been announced. McEnroe said will remain on board during the transition.
“Patrick has done a fantastic job. He's answered everything that the board has asked,” said Dave Haggerty, USTA Chairman, CEO and President. “It’s very important that we continue to do what we're doing. We have had some good success.”