GLTA President’s Address to Members, Affiliate Players and Supporters

At the GLTA Board Meeting in Gran Canaria, February 1, 2023, Rowen D’Souza was elected the new President of the GLTA. Here is his address to GLTA members, affiliate players and supporters.

“Dear members and players of the GLTA

At our most recent GLTA Board meeting Dan Merrithew stepped down from his executive positions and will retire from the board after 16 years. The board subsequently appointed me to replace him as President and CEO of the organisation. At this meeting we welcomed Matt Feinberg (USA) who will take over my duties as Secretary, Merit Lõokene (ESTONIA) will continue as Marketing and Communications Director, Leo Reece (USA) as Rankings Director and Daniel Cribb (USA) as GLTA Treasurer. At the Board meeting we had extensive discussions about the range of issues that face the organisation and the strategies and innovations that were needed to best address them to ensure the continued success of the GLTA.

At this point of change for the organisation, it is important we take stock and look at how we can continue to work together to nurture the GLTA. I often admire the many people who work hard to organise and run the amazing events around the world and love seeing so many players enjoy participating and making new friends. Tennis brings us great joy and we are all emotionally invested in seeing tournaments grow and be better. It is the boards primary function to provide a framework that allows these events to thrive. The Board is very interested in your feedback and comments that assist us in this governance of the organisation. It is important that we have mature, rational and respectful communication to allow us to reach consensus. There will always be differing views but the Board will work hard to accommodate the range of opinions and ideas of its member clubs and players.

On behalf of everyone in the GLTA I would like to extend our most heartfelt thanks and appreciation to Dan for his tireless and dedicated service to the GLTA. Having worked with him for the last 5 years, I’ve been inspired by his dedication to making the GLTA the strong and effective organisation it is today. I must also thank the current board for their support and commitment to serving the GLTA.

To all of our Member clubs and players, I wish you all the success in your endeavours whether it be organising an event to trying to achieve success on court. Please reach out directly as often as you need, to me or anyone on the board. We look forward to working with you all to make the GLTA better and stronger in the future.”

Rowen D’Souza,
President of the GLTA