The Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) has named Eno Polo, a former Kenyan Davis Cup player, as its new Chief Executive Officer. The announcement was made on Wednesday, with Polo stepping into the role with immediate effect, following the departure of Italian executive Massimo Calvelli in June after more than five years of service.
Polo, aged 58, achieved a career-high singles ranking of World No. 574 in 1990 before transitioning into international business and sports administration. Since 2021, he has served as a player representative on the ATP Board of Directors, gaining valuable experience in tennis governance.
As CEO, Polo will oversee the ATP’s global operations and drive forward OneVision, the organization’s long-term strategy aimed at expanding the sport’s reach, enhancing fan engagement, and increasing value for players, tournaments, and commercial partners. He will work closely with ATP President Andrea Gaudenzi, who has led the organization since 2020.
“Eno is a dynamic and accomplished leader who understands both the commercial landscape and the intricacies of professional tennis,”
said Gaudenzi in the ATP statement.
Polo’s career beyond the court has included senior leadership roles at global brands such as Nike, Juventus Football Club, Havaianas, and the Premier Padel circuit. His diverse background in sports and business is expected to play a key role in guiding the ATP through what he describes as a “transformative moment” for tennis.
“Tennis is at a transformative moment as a global sport and business. The opportunity that lies ahead is immense,”
Polo stated upon his appointment.
His appointment comes at a challenging time for the ATP, which has faced legal action from a group of players over issues such as financial distribution, playing conditions in extreme heat, inconsistent use of match balls, and the extended length of tournaments in an already congested calendar.
Despite these hurdles, the leadership reshuffle signals the ATP’s intent to modernize and strengthen its global standing under Polo’s direction