ATP Tour
In memory of Beddington, long time tennis administrator
Beddington serves as tournament director for Nitto ATP Finals event
October 20, 2025
Keith Beatty/Toronto Star via Getty Images
Bjorn Borg and John Beddington at the draw ceremony in Canada in 1992.
Written by ATP Staff
John Beddington, a long-time tennis administrator and one of the first tournament directors of the event now known as the Nitto ATP Finals, died last week at the age of 83.
For more than fifty years, Beddington was a key figure in the sport, shaping many people, including the world’s best athletes and children in need. From laying the foundation for some of the sport’s biggest events to giving back to his community, he left tennis greater than he found it.
Beddington was tournament director of the Business League Grand Prix Masters from 1972 to 1976 and later played a key role in Barclays becoming the title sponsor of the tournament when it moved to London’s O2 Arena.
Three years later, Beddington became executive vice-president of Tennis Canada and served with the organization until 1995. He is the tournament director of the National Bank Open, now presented by Rogers.
In this capacity, Beddington not only built one of the best events in the world – now the ATP Masters 1000 and WTA 1000 – but also made a positive impression on some of the sport’s biggest stars.
Ivan Lendl was the number one player in the PIF ATP rankings, winning the Canadian event six times between 1980 and 1989.
“I met John through the Canadian Open. We’ve stayed in touch over the years,” Lendl said. “John was a great guy and I always had the pleasure of meeting him at the All England Lawn Tennis Club. John did a fantastic job in Toronto and Montreal. I admired his wicked sense of humour, and I was very sad to hear of John’s passing.”
Valerie Tetreault, vice-president of communications, director of professional events and tournaments at the National Bank of Montreal Open, said everyone associated with Tennis Canada and Tennis Canada mourns Beddington’s passing.
“The word trailblazer is sometimes used too often, but for John it is absolutely appropriate. He dedicated his life to the growth of our sport in Canada and around the world,” Tetreault. “His impact on our flagship WTA and ATP 1000 events, the National Bank Open presented by Rogers in Toronto and Montreal, cannot be underestimated and it is in large part due to him that these events have grown into the prestigious, world-renowned events they are today.
“He has left a huge legacy in Canadian tennis and will be remembered for the incredible footprint he left on our sport.”
Two years ago, Beddington was awarded the Gold Achievement Award by the International Tennis Hall of Fame and the International Tennis Federation at Wimbledon.
“I’ve been lucky enough to have a long career in tennis and lucky enough to be there at the 1968 Open,” Beddington said at the time. “I’m grateful for the great mentors, colleagues and good friends I’ve made throughout the years in the sport around the world. It’s rewarding to see the sport flourish around the world, and I’m excited to play a role in tennis’s global growth.”
Beddington is also a co-founder of the long-running ATP Champions Tour event at London’s Royal Albert Hall and has helped launch numerous other events.
Throughout his time in the sport, Beddington raised almost £2 million for charity, supporting a number of causes and organizations, including Give It Your Max, of which he is patron. The goal is to keep kids off the streets as much as possible and expose them to sports.
Give It Your Max posted on Instagram: “John’s kindness, vision and passion will be deeply missed, but his impact on the tennis community and the impact he helped change people’s lives through our programs will continue to be felt for many years to come.”
Beddington is survived by his wife, Roseann Madden Beddington, and sons, David Paul Madden Beddington and James Edward Beddington.
