Where do you think your background – whether as an officer in the armed forces, chair umpire or ATP supervisor – has most prepared you to co-direct a tournament of this magnitude?
GRAFF: I think it was 25 years of education, sitting in class, learning the ATP side, learning the rules, learning the refereeing world, learning the tournament world, and then continuing to work as a supervisor among the players.
So I’ve been preparing for it ever since, as they say in the army, when you learn that you have to keep your promises. If someone tells you you have to be there at 9 p.m., you won’t come at 9:15 a.m. When I started this role, I went back to the classroom, because now I’m learning about streaming, data protection , marketing, sales, ticket sales. It’s another dimension in how to manage players, but I think I’m ready for it.
I think I have a huge advantage (over) others. Ninety percent of the male players call me by my first name, because they knew me when I was president. Many of the players recognize me too. I think my job as a tournament director is to make sure I take care of the players. When I meet them, I say, “Welcome to Beijing” and introduce myself. “If there’s anything I can do for you, let me know.” »
The first impression when they come to Beijing should be very positive, and they should leave here with a good image of what is happening here in the tournament. No matter our organizational capacity or our infrastructure, it is the players who matter most. I would never have been ready for this role 20 years ago. I grew up in it.
