Butorac, new director of the US Open: Former tennis player assumes leadership

Eric Butorac Takes Over as US Open Director

Former player Eric Butorac will take the reins of the US Open as tournament director, as announced by the United States Tennis Association (USTA) last Monday. Butorac will replace Stacey Allaster in the position. Butorac, who served as senior director of player relations and commercial development for the USTA, was also tournament director for this year’s new US Open mixed doubles event.

“In many ways, this is a dream come true and the culmination of my life and career in tennis,” Butorac expressed.

Eric Butorac

Butorac’s tennis career includes 14 years as a professional player, reaching the top 20 in the ATP doubles ranking. In addition, he was a doubles finalist at the 2014 Australian Open. During his career, Butorac was also the president of the ATP player council. He joined the USTA in 2016 and was the tournament director of the Cincinnati Open in 2022.

“Eric has been instrumental in strengthening the US Open experience for both players and fans, and his leadership, vision, and passion for the game make him the ideal person to guide the next chapter of the tournament’s success,” stated Brian Vahaly, interim co-CEO of the USTA.

Brian Vahaly

Stacey Allaster, who took over as US Open director in 2020, was the first woman to hold this position in the history of the tournament, which was first held in 1881. Allaster has worked at the USTA since 2016 and was previously president and CEO of the WTA women’s professional tennis circuit. Allaster will remain in her role as Chief Executive of Professional Tennis at the USTA until May, before moving to an advisory position within the organization.