Photo credit: USTA
Executive remodeling continues at the USTA.
Lew Sherr is stepping down as CEO, effective June 30th, the United States Tennis Association announced in a statement today.
Sherr ends a 15-year tenure with the USTA, including the last three years as CEO based in Orlando, Florida.
Prior to serving as CEO, Sherr worked as USTA Chief Revenue Officer for 12 years.
Why leave now with the 2025 US Open, which figures to set both attendance and revenue records, looming in August?
The USTA said Sherr "has accepted a new professional opportunity outside of tennis, with more details forthcoming in the near future." Sherr is reportedly set to cross the street from the USTA-Billie Jean King National Tennis Center and join the New York Mets at Citi Field.
"This is truly a bittersweet moment. Over the past 15 years, the USTA has been so much more than just a workplace — it has been a community, a purpose, and a passion,” said Sherr, outgoing USTA CEO. “From my early days focused on revenue to the privilege of serving as CEO, I have had the honor of working alongside extraordinary colleagues and volunteers at every level of the organization.
"Together, we have navigated transformation, sparked innovation, and set American tennis on a trajectory for long-term growth and impact. While I will no longer be leading from within, I will always be cheering on the USTA and the work ahead. I’m immensely proud of what we’ve accomplished together, and even more excited to see where our talented team takes it next.”
For now, some familiar faces step into that leadership role.
USTA Board Chairman Brian Vahaly and Chief Operating Officer and Chief Legal Officer Andrea Hirsch will serve as interim Co-CEOs while the organization conducts a search for its next leader.
“On behalf of the entire USTA family, I want to thank Lew for his many years of service to our sport and wish him nothing but the best in his new role. Lew has played a key role in shepherding American tennis to this exciting moment — and now the rest of us will carry that energy forward,” said Brian Vahaly, USTA Board Chair and incoming interim Co-CEO. “The USTA is in an exceptionally strong position.
"Tennis participation is at an all-time high, and the US Open is experiencing unprecedented popularity and record-breaking attendance. We have a solid foundation and real momentum – and Andrea and I are committed to continuing that progress as we prepare for the next chapter.”
Vahaly has served five non-consecutive terms on the USTA Board of Directors, and was elected as Chairman and President for the 2025-26 term.
Since joining the USTA in 2006, Hirsch has served in multiple roles across the organization, including her current position as Chief Operation Officer and Chief Legal Officer, which she assumed in 2022.
Sherr's exit comes six months after the USTA announced the 2025 US Open marks the end of Stacey Allaster's administration.
Allaster will step down from her positions as USTA Chief Executive of Professional Tennis and US Open Tournament Director after the 2025 Flushing Meadows major, the USTA announced in December.
The 61-year-old Allaster, the former CEO of the WTA Tour, was a trailblazer serving as the first female US Open Tournament Director. Allaster will retain a "special advisory role" with the USTA and pursue additional interests. Allaster said the 2025 US Open will be the end of her full-time career in pro tennis.
View this post on Instagram
In his role on the USTA board of directors, Vahaly helped launch the first US Open Pride Day on Wednesday, September 1, 2021 in Flushing Meadows.
In a a past interview with Tennis Now, Vahaly spoke about efforts to create an inclusive environment in pro tennis.
"How can we be thoughtful about the words players are using and about the environment that’s being created so we can have a data-driven decision on what be helpful," Vahaly told Tennis Now. "I’m not measuring success here by having a Top 25 player who comes out as gay.
"I think for me it’s just have we continued to provide the atmosphere so that maybe similar to what we’ve seen in other sports where somebody comes out and maybe it’s not as big of a deal. I am hopeful that things about the pride event that we did at the US Open, which I’m incredibly proud of, will set the table.
"You just want kids to see it. You want kids to know that they’re accepted. You want players to see other players wearing a rainbow wristband and it’s not that big of a deal. Or you’ll hear Djokovic or Federer or Zverev talk about it and say “Yeah, I’d be fine with it.” Just hearing those things and the language shift and not using the F-word so publicly. They may say they don’t have motive behind it, but it sends a message."