Brad Drewett passes away

by **laverfan** Sat 4 May 2013 - 20:35

TSJ has a reference to this in his Random News thread, but I think this deserves its own thread as well.

The ATP issued a statement, saying: “We are deeply saddened to announce that Brad Drewett passed away at his home in Sydney, Australia, earlier today. Brad, who served as ATP Executive Chairman and President since January 2012, had been suffering from Motor Neurone Disease. Our thoughts are with Brad's family on this extremely sad day for them, the ATP and the entire international tennis community. He will be sorely missed by all.”

http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2013/04/18/Brad-Drewett-Passes-Away.aspx

Madrid and Oeiras (Estoril) will pay their respects as well.

A moment of silence was observed Friday at the draw ceremony for the Mutua Madrid Open and on Saturday the Portugal Open will hold a one-minute silence on centre court prior to the first men’s semi-final.

As a player...

As a player, Drewett reached the Top 40 in singles and Top 20 in doubles. He amassed 181 singles match wins and claimed two titles (South Orange, NJ, in 1983 and Cairo in 1982) and won seven doubles titles. He captured the Australian Open boys’ singles title in 1975 and one year later reached the Australian Open singles quarter-finals in his Grand Slam debut. He also reached two Australian Open doubles semi-finals and the Wimbledon doubles quarter-finals.

Tributes...

http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2013/04/18/Tributes-For-Brad-Drewett.aspx