Steve Simon Gives up WTA Tour CEO Duties; Will Stay as Executive Director

Steve Simon will remain as executive chairman of the WTA Tour but give up the title and duties of chief executive officer for the worldwide women’s tennis tour under what the Tour says is an organizational restructuring.

The upcoming changes in leadership will include the hiring of a new chief executive officer who will report to Simon — as will the chief executive officer of WTA Ventures, the commercial enterprise with CVC Capital Partners that was formed this year. President Micky Lawler is departing the organization and will not be replaced after being in the role since 2014.

Simon will focus on governance, strategic interests of the WTA within the sport, integrity issues and the development of new markets and frontiers for the WTA.

“By putting in place additional leadership capability and capacity, we are getting ready to accelerate the development of women’s tennis as the WTA moves beyond its 50th year,” Simon said. “I would also like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to Micky Lawler. She has been a valued colleague who has made a significant contribution to the WTA and we wish her every success for the future.”

Simon has led the WTA since 2015 when he succeeded Stacey Allaster, who is the tournament director at the U.S. Open. The WTA Tour went through a rebranding in 2020 but also as with every other international sport dealt with travel difficulties and scheduling issues throughout the pandemic. The WTA Tour also had a geopolitical controversy with the suspension — and, later, return — of events in China over concerns about the well-being of former player Peng Shuai.

The issues with China led to the WTA Tour Finals being relocated on short notice in 2022 to Fort Worth, Texas. This year’s WTA Tour Final site was also not announced until September with the event held in Cancun, Mexico, from October 29 through November 6. Players complained about the temporary outdoor court created for the competition and then-No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka calling the conditions “another level of disrespect.”

Players outlined various other concerns in a letter to Simon and during two meetings with tour leadership. Among the topics were establishing a guaranteed income and coverage for maternity leave and injury absences, along with an objection to a planned change in rules governing mandatory tournament appearances, according to The Associated Press.