“We Need New Leadership” – Reilly Opelka Says ATP CEO Needs To Step Down, Suggests Big Changes in Tennis

Reilly Opelka is currently the top-ranked American male player on the ATP tour. World No. 17 arrives at the BNP Paribas Open with high ambitions in mind. He has also been quite active and vocal when it comes to the issues that the ATP and the current leadership in the association have to deal with.

Recently, speaking to TENNIS.com, Opelka opened up about why exactly he felt that tennis associations were not doing great in terms of controlling the fraternity, and what sort of changes were required urgently to somewhat salvage the situation.

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Reilly Opelka calls the ATP a classic ‘boys’ club’

Opelka also spoke about how the current structure needed a change, while constantly disclaiming that he did not mean to offend anyone personally.

“I think Andrea Gaudenzi needs to step down from his position. I think we need new leadership. I mean, I don’t mean it in a bad way. It’s not a personal dig at them. I think they’re nice guys. Massimo [Calvelli] is a nice guy. But I don’t quite get it. Why are we going for guys that were in tennis?” he said.

He was also incredulous how people like Massimo went from being a part of the larger tennis fraternity to becoming one of the bosses of one of the biggest sports in the world.

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“No offence to Massimo but you don’t go from being a Nike rep and being in charge of sending packages or getting the right clay court shoes to Rublev, to being a CEO of one of the biggest global sports. This just doesn’t happen in any other sport,” he added in this context.

Opelka expresses his views on the importance of Indian Wells Masters on the tour

Opelka also spoke about how Indian Wells is one of the biggest tournaments on the tennis calendar. This is not only because the top players from both the ATP and WTA tour feature together but also the player council and board meetings are held in the Californian desert. Players also engage in their off-court duties like photoshoots because of the picturesque backdrop the Indian Wells Tennis Garden offers.

Despite all the issues, the 24-year-old is looking forward to the inaugural Masters 1000 of the year. Seeded 17th in the draw, Opelka received a bye in his opening round. He will lock horns against Lorenzo Musetti in the second round.