McNAMEE QUITS AS AUSTRALIAN OPEN BOSS March 4, 2006 (Sydney Morning Herald) Australian Open chief executive Paul McNamee has resigned from Tennis Australia after 12 years to pursue other interests. No other reason was given for his resignation announced on Saturday, or any specifics as to what the former player and Grand Slam doubles champion would pursue. McNamee, 51, held the No. 1 ranking in doubles and won 24 doubles titles, many of them with fellow Australian Peter McNamara. McNamee won two Wimbledon doubles titles - in 1980 and 1982 - and two at the Australian Open - in 1979 and 1983. He was also a member of Australian teams which won the Davis Cup in 1983 and 1986. "Tennis Australia ... would like to pay tribute to his efforts over the past 12 years which have established the Australian Open as one of the world's marquee sporting events," said Tennis Australia president Geoff Pollard. "His creativity and energy helped elevate the Australian Open to be on a par with the other three Grand Slams." ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Paul McNamee has quit after 12 years as chief executive of the Australian Open. (BBC.co.uk) The former Wimbledon and Australian Open doubles champion said he wanted to pursue other interests. "There's never an easy time to move on but I feel I am doing so on a high after another great Australian Open," said the 51-year-old. Tennis Australia president Geoff Pollard praised McNamee's "creativity and energy" in raising the profile of the year's first Grand Slam. "He helped elevate the Australian Open to be on a par with the other three Grand Slams and set a benchmark for major sporting events in Australia and around the world," said Pollard. "He leaves the Australian Open in a very healthy state after another hugely successful tournament." McNamee won 24 doubles titles, many with Peter McNamara, including Wimbledon in 1980 and 1982 and the Australian Open in 1979 and 1983. He was also part of the Australian teams which won the Davis Cup in 1983 and 1986.