LONDON (AP)—The chief executive of British tennis' governing body is stepping down at the end of September after seven years in the role.

Roger Draper says he's leaving the Lawn Tennis Association just as British tennis "is entering a very exciting phase.'' Andy Murray is the U.S. Open champion and Heather Watson and Laura Robson are ranked in the top 50.

Draper says "now is the right time for me to hand over the baton to a new leader who can build on what has been achieved in recent years.''

The LTA says there's been an 18 percent rise in the number of adults playing weekly in England in 2012.