The ATP Board of Directors has appointed Chris Kermode as ATP Executive Chairman & President for a second consecutive term, the ATP announced on Thursday.

Kermode began his first three-year term in the role of ATP Executive Chairman & President in January 2014, and the extension now sees him working through 2019. During his initial term, Kermode has overseen significant growth for the ATP. Only last year, an all-time record 4.5 million fans attended ATP World Tour events, while more than 1 billion television viewers tuned in throughout the season.

“I’ve taken great pleasure in leading the ATP since 2014, and I’m delighted to continue in my role as Executive Chairman & President,” said Kermode. “I’d like to thank the Board of Directors for its vote of confidence and support as we look to continue to maximise growth opportunities in the years ahead. Just as importantly, I look forward to working with the other governing bodies of tennis to continue to protect the integrity of our sport.”

In securing long-term prize money agreements and calendars through 2018, Kermode has successfully delivered stable and sustainable outcomes for the Tour on two of its most decisive matters. Prize money levels on the ATP World Tour are set to reach a record US$ 135 million by 2018.

Kermode has also been instrumental in overseeing a period of unprecedented growth in commercial sponsorship for the ATP World Tour. In 2015, the ATP secured US$ 160 million in new sponsorship revenue over the next five years, including a five-year partnership with award-winning airline Emirates as the Tour’s Premier Partner.

Roger Federer, the longest-serving ATP World No. 1, said, “Chris has done an excellent job and shown great leadership since heading up the ATP. The Tour is in great shape and I’m pleased to see that he will serve a second term.”

Kermode has also prioritised the lower levels of professional tennis in recent years, overseeing a long-term plan to implement a number of enhancements on the ATP Challenger Tour. Minimum prize money levels on the Challenger Tour are set to reach US$ 50K (+ Hospitality) by 2017, while a number of investments are being made to ensure improved tournament swings, enhanced officiating and player services, and greater marketing.

Justin Gimelstob, ATP Board Player Representative, said: “Chris has done an excellent job as the head of ATP. The Tour is in great health, and today’s announcement provides stability and continuity at the helm of the organisation – an important consideration for the Board.”

Mark Webster, ATP Board Tournament Representative, said: “The Tour has achieved multiple successes under Chris’ leadership since 2014. We look forward to continuing our work together as we set out a long-term vision for the Tour through 2019 and beyond.”

Kermode will continue to be based out of the ATP’s office in London.

The last time Rafael Nadal clutched the BNP Paribas Open trophy in Indian Wells it was a punctuation mark on a successful return from a seven-month injury lay-off. It was 2013, and his three-set triumph over Juan Martin del Potro marked his third straight title of the season and a springboard to cementing the year-end Emirates ATP World No. 1 Ranking.

Three years on, the Spaniard returns to Indian Wells as the No. 4 seed with a 44-8 record in the desert. He begins his quest for a fourth BNP Paribas Open against either Luxembourg’s Gilles Muller or Victor Estrella Burgos of the Dominican Republic.

“I am practising hard and happy to be here with time and doing the right things [to prepare],” Nadal said. “I lost two matches at the beginning of the season that I could win and should probably win.

“I feel ready to keep going mentally and physically. I’m excited to be in Indian Wells, a tournament I love so much.”

Clay-court defeats to Dominic Thiem and Pablo Cuevas back-to-back in Brazil will have little bearing on Nadal as he contests his first hard-court event since his surprise first-round loss to compatriot Fernando Verdasco at the Australian Open. He could meet Verdasco – his Indian Wells doubles partner – again in the third round.

“South America was crazy humidity. It was very difficult to play in those extreme conditions – the temperatures and humidity were so high,” Nadal said. “I’m much better than last year in terms of personal feelings. Last year I was so nervous when I was competing. 

“This year I lost matches that I believed I could win, but I was prepared and didn’t have those negative feelings in terms of being without control of my breathing and being too nervous. This year I didn’t have the best possible results but I’m working hard to change that.”

Reflecting on the confidence boost his third BNP Paribas Open delivered in 2013, Nadal predicted the player he defeated in that final, del Potro, could similarly use his return to Indian Wells to bolster his mindset in a long road back from injury. The Argentine is contesting just his second tournament since wrist surgery curtailed his 2015 season.

“It was obvious in the first tournament he played he did amazing, reaching the semi-finals [in Delray Beach], winning some great matches against tough players after a long time,” Nadal said. “When I arrived here in 2013 I never thought I’d have a chance to win the title. He can do it, yes.

“It’s true that he has amazing potential and amazing tennis. He has the level to do it if he’s playing well.”

In his 12^th consecutive Indian Wells appearance, Tomas Berdych is keen to make an impact at the BNP Paribas Open. Despite having started 2016 with a 12-5 record, the 2013 semi-finalist believes that he still has more to give.

“I’m trying to work on being a bit more aggressive, a bit more risky,” said Berdych, No. 7 in the Emirates ATP Rankings. “I have to do a little extra to raise my level and to do better.”

The powerful baseliner has made the quarter-finals or better in each of his four tournaments on the year, but has yet to reach a final and is looking for his first title since 2015 Stockholm (d. Sock). Another good reason for the 6’5” Czech to take a few more chances than usual: his lone ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title came in Paris in 2005, when he downed Ivan Ljubicic in five sets.

“Since you’re coming from Europe, you have a few more days before the tournament starts, so you can really take your time to prepare the way you want,” said Berdych, who helped the Czech Republic move into the Davis Cup quarter-finals with an away win in Germany last week. “The conditions are quite fast but it suits my game. I can play aggressively [here].”

Berdych, who has made the trip to the Californian desert every year since his debut in 2005, noted the tournament’s commitment to serving both players and fans.

“The tournament tries very hard to listen to the players and to make us feel at home,” Berdych said. “To have an event like this, it’s really nice. The organisers work really hard to promote the event and to get a lot of visitors here, which is very important. It’s always one of the best-attended events of the year.”

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