John Beddington, the longtime tennis administrator and one of the first tournament directors of the event now called the Nitto ATP Finals, died last week at the age of 83.
For over fifty years, Beddington was a key figure in the sport who shaped many, including the world’s best players and children in need. From laying the foundation for some of the sport’s biggest events to giving back to the community, he left tennis much bigger than he found it.
Beddington was tournament director of the Commercial Union Grand Prix Masters from 1972 to 1976 and later played a crucial role in Barclays becoming the title sponsor of the tournament when it moved to The O2 in London.
Three years later, Beddington became Executive Vice President of Tennis Canada and remained with the organization until 1995. He was tournament director for what is now the National Bank Open Presented by Rogers.
In that capacity, Beddington has not only built one of the best tournaments in the world – it is now an ATP Masters 1000 and WTA 1000 event – but has also left a positive impression on the sport’s biggest stars.
Ivan Lendl, a former No. 1 player in the PIF ATP rankings, won the Canadian event six times between 1980 and 1989.
“I met John through the Canadian Open. We have kept in touch over the years,” Lendl said. “John was a great guy, I always enjoyed seeing him at the All England Lawn Tennis Club. John did a fantastic job in Toronto and Montreal. I appreciated his wicked sense of humor and was very sad to hear of John’s passing.”
Valerie Tetreault, vice-president of communications, professional events and tournament director of the National Bank Open in Montreal, said everyone involved with Tennis Canada and Canadian tennis mourns Beddington’s passing.
“The word pioneer is sometimes overused, but in John’s case it is absolutely appropriate. He dedicated his life to the growth of our sport, both in Canada and on a global level,” said Tetreault. “His influence on our flagship WTA and ATP 1000 tournaments, the National Bank Open presented by Rogers in Toronto and Montreal, cannot be underestimated and their growth into the prestigious, world-renowned events they are today is in large part thanks to him.
“His legacy in Canadian tennis is enormous, and he will be remembered for the incredible footprint he leaves in our sport.”
Two years ago, Beddington was honored with the Golden Achievement Award at Wimbledon by the International Tennis Hall of Fame and the International Tennis Federation.
“I have been fortunate to have had a very long tennis career and was fortunate to be there when tennis opened in 1968,” Beddington said at the time. “I am grateful for the wonderful mentors, colleagues and wonderful friends I have made in the sport over the years around the world. It has been rewarding to see the sport flourish worldwide and I am happy to have been able to play a role in the global development of tennis.”
Beddington also co-founded the old ATP Champions Tour event held at the Royal Albert Hall in London and helped launch numerous other tournaments.
During his time in the sport, Beddington has raised almost £2 million for charity, supporting various charities and organizations including Give It Your Max, for which he was a patron. The aim was to keep children off the streets and introduce them to sports instead.
Give It Your Max posted on Instagram: “John’s kindness, vision and enthusiasm will be greatly missed, but his impact on the tennis world – and on the lives he helped change through our programs – will be felt for many years to come.”
Beddington is survived by his wife, Roseann Madden Beddington, and his sons, David Paul Madden Beddington and James Edward Beddington.
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