London  - The ATP has again stepped outside of tennis to find a leader, Monday appointing former Nike marketer Adam Helfant as ATP executive chairman and president.

The 44-year-old will take the dual positions formerly held by ex- Disney Europe boss Etienne de Villiers, who stepped down under player pressure at the end of December.

The ATP decision overlooks ATP Asia-Pacific executive Brad Drewett, a former player with close links to the players as tournament director of the Shanghai Masters Cup for the past five editions.

Helfant, an MIT and Harvard Law graduate, served for a dozen years at Nike, and before that at the National Hockey League in North America.

"There is no doubt that men's professional tennis is one of the world's most popular sports and, as a lifelong fan, it is a great honour to have been given the opportunity to take the helm at such an exciting time for the ATP," Helfant said in a statement.

"The ATP World Tour is a truly global sporting event, featuring some of the world's best athletes and followed by millions of the most dedicated sports fans.

"I could not be more excited about being its new Executive Chairman."

Ivan Ljubicic, a member of the ATP Player Board, expressed his satisfaction over the appointment.

"I am delighted, on behalf of the players, to be able to welcome Adam to the ATP. It was our intention as a Board to recruit a world class Executive Chairman and in Adam we are delighted and excited to have achieved just that," the Croat said. dpa