LOS ANGELES: Tommy Haas, the former world number two from Germany, is to take over as the Indian Wells tournament director, organisers said Friday.
Haas's appointment, announced by the tournament's chief operating officer Steve Birdwell, must still be confirmed by both the ATP and WTA tours.
Haas, 38, will be taking over the California tournament from former director Raymond Moore, who resigned in March after incendiary comments about the women's game and the Women's Tennis Association.
Moore resigned less than 36 hours after saying in a press conference during this year's tournament that women players "ride on the coattails of the men".
Moore retained his position as chief executive of the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, the venue that hosts the ATP Masters and WTA premier mandatory event in the desert east of Los Angeles.
Birdwell said that in choosing Haas tournament officials sought a director "who will engage with players, sponsors and fans in a deep and meaningful way".
World number one Novak Djokovic welcomed the move, calling it a "perfect solution" for the tournament.
"Tommy has been around so many years in tennis," Djokovic said Friday after booking his place in the French Open final. "I'm sure he's very eager to contribute to the growth of that tournament that is already setting a very high standard in the integrity of ATP events."
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