USTA appoints Erc Butorac as new tournament director of the US Open – World Tennis Magazine

The USTA has announced that Eric Butorac, USTA Senior Director, Player Relations and Business Development, and former Top-20 doubles pro and ATP Player Council President, has been named the next tournament director of the US Open, beginning in 2026. Butorac succeeds Stacey Allaster, who will continue to serve as USTA Chief Executive, Professional Tennis, before transitioning to a strategic advisor role in May 2026.

Butorac joined the USTA in 2016 after a 14-year career on tour and has since led an extensive improvement of player and tour relations with the USTA and US Open. Known for his strong relationships across tennis, Butorac has helped lead the improvement of the player experience at the US Open and has been instrumental in the growth of US Open Fan Week and its associated events. This year he was tournament director of the revamped US Open Mixed Doubles Championship, which took the competition to never-before-seen heights with record attendance, viewership and engagement. He also served as tournament director of the 2022 Cincinnati Open.

“We are pleased to welcome Eric as the new tournament director of the US Open. He is one of the most respected and trusted figures in tennis, and his impact on the USTA and the US Open has been extraordinary,” said Brian Vahaly, chairman of the board, president and interim co-CEO of USTA. “Eric has been instrumental in enhancing the US Open experience for players and fans alike, and his leadership, insight and passion for the game make him the ideal person to guide the next chapter of the tournament’s success.”

Butorac, 44, won 18 ATP doubles titles during a 14-year professional career and reached the doubles final at the 2014 Australian Open. A native of Rochester, Minnesota, he served on the ATP Player Council for eight years and succeeded Roger Federer as president in 2014.

“I am beyond excited and grateful to serve as tournament director of the US Open. This is in many ways a dream come true and the highlight of my life and career in tennis,” said Butorac. “I am humbled not only by the opportunity, but also to follow in the footsteps of one of my greatest mentors, Stacey Allaster. I am deeply grateful to Stacey, from whom I have learned more than I could ever have imagined after transitioning from a career on tour. Now I can’t wait to help fuel the continued growth and success of the US Open well into the future.”

Butorac was a three-time ITA All-American while playing college tennis for Gustavus Adolphus College in Minnesota, winning the NCAA Division III singles and doubles titles in 2003. He was inducted into the Gustavus Adolphus Athletics Hall of Fame in 2018 and the ITA Hall of Fame in 2025.

“It has been one of the greatest honors of my career to serve as tournament director of the US Open – a global stage where champions emerge and history is made. It has also been a privilege to work with Eric and witness his remarkable journey from the court as a professional player to a leader in the boardroom,” said Allaster. “I have seen and felt firsthand his dedication to the sport, his dedication to his own professional growth and his evolution into a respected industry leader and trusted teammate. Eric brings humility, heart and a mindset that is balanced with the needs of our players and fans, and this makes him uniquely qualified to lead the US Open into its next chapter of growth. The US Open Grand Slam Championships are in excellent hands with Eric as tournament director.”