Native Canadian & Former International Tennis Star to Join Rogers Cup Team
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| Toronto Tourn Director |
Tennis Canada announced today that Grant Connell, a former World No. 1 Doubles player and winner of more than 20 ATP tour events, has accepted the position of Tournament Director, Rogers Cup presented by American Express.
As Tournament Director, Connell will provide leadership for all tour, player, and media relations activities for both the men's and women's Rogers Cup tournaments held in Toronto. Connell will also liaise with the ATP and Sony Ericsson WTA Tours on behalf of Tennis Canada. Tournament ticket sales, marketing, sponsorships and operations will be managed by existing Tennis Canada staff. Grant will report to newly appointed Tennis Canada Chief Operating Officer, Derek Strang.
“Grant Connell's experience as a professional tennis player, and more recently in the world of business, brings significant credibility to the position of Tournament Director for our flagship Toronto event,” said Michael S. Downey, President and CEO, Tennis Canada.
Connell, currently a member of the Tennis Canada Board of Directors, will assume the position immediately, allowing outgoing Tournament Director Stacey Allaster to help with Grant's transition. Stacey begins her assignment as President, Sony Ericsson WTA Tour on January 1, 2006.
“The announcement of Grant Connell as Tournament Director is great news for the Rogers Cup,” said Allaster. “Grant is a great addition to the strong team that Tennis Canada has assembled over the past several years.”
Connell was ranked as high as World No. 1 in doubles and starred on several Canadian Davis Cup teams. Over a long and successful career Connell captured 22 ATP Tour titles and several Davis Cup victories, was a three-time finalist at Wimbledon and competed in two Olympics. Connell retired in 1997 and was soon inducted in the B.C. Sports Hall of Fame. Grant has also served as Executive Director for Tennis B.C.
“My goal is to complement the outstanding work already being done by the team at Tennis Canada,” said Connell. “I'm excited about offering the Rogers Cup team a player's perspective. Professional tournaments are the engines that fuel tennis development, so I look forward to using this position to make an impact on tennis at every level.”