How Allaster rose to top of tennis

By Rachel Brady

Stacey Allaster, BA'85 (Physical Education), EMBA'00, walks through a long hall at the Rexall Centre, sharing warm hellos and hugs with familiar faces of Rogers Cup staff and volunteers along the way.

In a bright print dress and sharp dark blazer, she steers into the luxurious players’ lounge and is similarly greeted by the tennis players relaxing on couches or playing pool.

The 48-year-old native of Welland, Ont., has held posts in every realm of tennis, starting as a girl who loved to play and cleaned the courts at her local club for pocket change, to one who has made Forbes’ list of the most powerful women in sports. For four years, she has served as chairman and chief operating officer of the WTA, this year marking the 40th anniversary of its founding by Billie Jean King and the Original 9.