Sydney lawyer Stephen Healy, head of Tennis New South Wales, will become the new president of Tennis Australia after defeating former Australian Open tournament director Paul McNamee in a ballot.
For the second time in six months, the outspoken McNamee lost a secret ballot of the member associations. Healy has pledged to reunite the disaffected elements of Australia's tennis community that has supported McNamee. Healy will succeed Geoff Pollard in October.
“I am excited about the appointment and the prospect of leading tennis in Australia,” said Healy, a former Futures-level player who was supported by former Davis Cup captain John Newcombe. “There are many challenges and issues that need to be addressed if we are to appeal more to the community and if we are to produce champions. The answer lies in working together, being flexible, inclusive and willing to think laterally.”—M.C.