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NEWPORT, R.I. — The International Tennis Hall of Fame has appointed longtime tennis industry leader Charlie Pasarell to be Chairman of the organization’s International Committee.

This committee is focused on growing awareness for the Hall of Fame’s mission in the international tennis community, and fostering knowledge of the rich history of tennis around the world. The committee is comprised of a dedicated and diverse group of tennis industry leaders, including administrators, journalists, and former players. Specific areas of focus for the committee include building relationships for the Hall of Fame with various national tennis federations and the Grand Slams, developing programs to bring the Hall of Fame’s extensive collections on display around the world, and organizing international events that highlight the Hall of Fame’s work.

Of the appointment, Pasarell commented, “It’s a privilege to serve the sport of tennis in this interesting and important role. Tennis is one of the world’s most global sports, truly appreciated all around the world. The Hall of Famers hail from 21 nations worldwide, and the rich history of the sport has developed over hundreds of years in many nations. I look forward to working with the Hall of Fame to spread this message worldwide.”

“Charlie has experienced the international nature of tennis on every level – player, tournament director, promoter, administrator, and even as a fan. When you combine his passion for the sport with his knowledge of how tennis is embraced around the world, he’s the ideal person to take on this leadership role for the Hall of Fame and to lead the efforts to grow our international presence,” commented Christopher Clouser, chairman of the board for the International Tennis Hall of Fame. “He’s been an ardent supporter of our mission for a long time, and we’re very pleased to welcome him to a more involved role on this important committee.”

Pasarell was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2013, and he joined the organization’s Board of Directors later that year.

Originally from Puerto Rico, Pasarell is one of the most successful athletes to come out of the island nation. He is a longtime resident of California.

He is perhaps best known as the past Tournament Director, Managing Partner, and former owner of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, Calif., but his contributions as a tennis industry leader have spanned all levels of the sport and have been a driving force in the growth of the tennis for more than 40 years. As a tournament director, Pasarell grew the BNP Paribas Open from a small men’s tournament to become a two-week combined ATP and WTA event that is among the most exciting and important tournaments in the pro game. Pasarell’s leadership in pro tennis went far beyond tournament though. He was a founder of the ATP in 1972, and in 1990, Pasarell was elected by the tournaments to serve as their representative, and he was re-elected to the position every year for 20 consecutive years, until he retired. Like many industry leaders, Pasarell got his start in tennis as a player. He achieved the No. 1 ranking in the United States in 1967, and he was an integral member of the championship United States Davis Cup Team in 1968.