On Tuesday, the WTA announced the appointment of Valerie Camillo as the new president of both the WTA Tour and WTA Ventures, replacing Steve Simon and charged with leading the next phase of growth for women’s professional tennis.
“Women’s tennis is not just watched; it is lived and loved by people around the world. Together we will continue to grow this extraordinary sport and ensure it leads the way for women everywhere. This is a pivotal moment for women’s tennis, with important decisions ahead that will shape the future of our players, tournaments, fans and partners. Valerie Camillo
Camillo will begin her role on November 17, 2025 and will work with the WTA Board of Directors to guide and implement the organization’s long-term vision and strategy at a time of tremendous opportunity for players, fans, tournaments and partners around the world.
“I am honored to lead the number one women’s sport in the world at such a crucial time,” said Valerie Camillo. “The WTA has long been a driving force for progress, pushing boundaries for athletes and fans alike.
“Women’s tennis is not just watched; it is lived and loved by people around the world. Together we will continue to grow this extraordinary sport and ensure it leads the way for women everywhere.
“This is a pivotal moment for women’s tennis, with important decisions ahead that will shape the future of our players, tournaments, fans and partners.
“I look forward to working with our world-class athletes, among the most recognized and admired in the world, our tournament members, the entire WTA team and the broader tennis community to realize a successful future for this incredible sport.”
With more than 50 Tour events on 6 continents and an audience of more than 1 billion people, Camillo will represent the WTA on the world stage and ensure women’s tennis remains at the heart of the sport’s evolution.
She will also chair WTA Ventures and support its continued commercial growth and innovation.
The WTA Board approved Camillo’s appointment following an international search led by Elevate Talent and supported by outgoing Chairman Steve Simon and a search committee in a process that included a diverse pool of highly qualified candidates from global sports and business.
Camillo was selected for her alignment with the WTA’s vision of continued growth, her reputation as an innovative and respected leader, her collaborative style and her proven track record of commercial success.
Throughout her career, she has built and transformed major sports and entertainment projects in the NBA, NHL, MLB and collegiate athletics, combining strategic insight with operational expertise.
She has led the execution of more than 1,000 live events, modernized the operations of two professional teams, consulted on many others and guided the development of four major sports and entertainment venues.
Camillo serves as a board director for Herschend Family Entertainment and the University of Virginia Athletics Foundation, while she previously oversaw the business operations of the Philadelphia Flyers and Wells Fargo Center as president and CEO of Comcast Spectacor’s Sports and Entertainment division, and held senior positions with the Washington Nationals and the NBA.
Known for his principled, people-oriented leadership, Camillo has built strong relationships with players, coaches, sponsors and industry partners to develop strategies that support both athlete performance and business growth.
With her appointment, Camillo will succeed Steve Simon, who is retiring after ten years of service with the WTA.
“I am pleased to welcome Valerie as the new President of the WTA,” said Steve Simon, outgoing WTA President. “She is an outstanding leader who brings tremendous expertise and experience from a 30-year career driving growth, developing organizations and building effective relationships in sports and entertainment.
“I am confident that her insightful and inclusive leadership will ensure the WTA can maintain its position as the clear leader in women’s professional sports.”
Billie Jean King added: “Valerie’s appointment as WTA President is a strong step for the organization and her strength and leadership in sports and entertainment will benefit everyone involved with the WTA.
“I have known Valerie for years, and she is a winner and brings a passion for tennis, a wealth of knowledge of the sporting world and a fresh perspective for our future.”
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