Richard LewisCBE | |
|---|---|
.jpg) in 2007 | |
| Born | Richard Lewis |
| Occupation | CEOWimbledon Tennis |
| Known for | Chairman of theRFL Chair of theRLEF Chair of Sport England Director of Tennis,LTA Professional Tennis player |
| Country (sports) |  United Kingdom |
|---|---|
| Born | (1954-12-06)6 December 1954 (age 70) |
| Turned pro | 1972 |
| Retired | 1985 |
| Plays | Left-handed |
| Singles | |
| Career record | 69–121 |
| Career titles | 0 |
| Highest ranking | No. 77 (31 December 1977)[1] |
| Grand Slam singles results | |
| Australian Open | 3R (1977Jan) |
| French Open | 1R (1976,1977,1978) |
| Wimbledon | 3R (1976) |
| US Open | 1R (1977) |
| Doubles | |
| Career record | 55–97 |
| Career titles | 0 |
| Team competitions | |
| Davis Cup | F (1978), SF (1981) |
Richard Alan Lewis,CBE (born 6 December 1954)[2] is a former BritishDavis Cup tennis professional and sports administrator fromMiddlesex,United Kingdom.
He was the chief executive of The AELTC (Championships) Limited, organiser and host of The Championships, Wimbledon. Lewis took up the post in 2012, having been executive chairman of theRugby Football League since 2002.[3] On 1 April 2009 he replacedMichael Farrar as chairman ofSport England.[4]
In 2020, after 8 years as chief executive, Lewis stepped down and he was succeeded by Sally Bolton. She became the first woman chief executive to hold that post.
Lewis was a professional on the men's tennis circuit from 1972 to 1985. His best singles performance at aGrand Slam was reaching the third round ofWimbledon in 1976, where he defeatedPatrick Proisy andBrian Teacher before losing toNikola Pilić.[1] In 1978, he helpedGreat Britain reach the Davis Cup final, and also played in the 1981 semi-finals.[5] He reached as high as 77th in the world in the men's singles, winning matches against top players such asAdriano Panatta,Tony Roche,José Higueras,Miloslav Mečíř andIlie Năstase.[1][6]
After finishing his playing career, Lewis moved into sports administration joining the U.K.Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) in 1987, rising to become its director of tennis,[3] but agreeing to leave his position[7] in the wake of a 2000 loss to Ecuador that led to reduction of British tennis's status from "World" to "Euro-African Zone".[8]
Within a year of joining the RFL, Lewis oversaw reunification with theBritish Amateur Rugby League Association (BARLA) after nearly 30 years of division.[9]
Lewis, it was claimed by thenWidnes Vikings chairman Tony Chambers, showed his strong expansionist credentials in 2005 when he allegedly threatened to resign ifSuper League clubs did not back a plan to saveLondon Broncos, although he denies this.[10]
Under Lewis, plans for aSuper League licensing system were introduced.
Through his position at the RFL, Lewis has become Chair of theRugby League European Federation and Deputy Chair of theRugby League International Federation.[5]
Following Nigel Wood's appointment as RFL Chief Executive in October 2007, Lewis's role increasingly focuses on developing rugby league in the UK and internationally.[5]
In 2009, when Lewis took on the role of Chair of Sport England, his RFL title changed from Executive Chairman to Chairman.
Lewis was appointedCommander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2013 Birthday Honours for services to sports administration.[11]
In April 2012, Lewis was appointed Chief Executive Officer at Wimbledon following a successful career at the RFL and Chair of Sport England. He replaced Ian Ritchie, who in turn moved on to become chief executive of the Rugby Football Union.[12] During his tenure, Lewis has led the AELTC through the announcement of the Wimbledon Master Plan, the launch of Wimbledon's first consumer-facing brand campaign, "In Pursuit of Greatness", and presided over significant growth of The Championships to become one of the world's biggest annual sporting events.[citation needed]