INDIAN WELLS, Calif. (AP) — Former pro player Charlie Pasarell is leaving his management post with the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament after 31 years to develop a resort in Puerto Rico.
Since 1981, Pasarell has served variously as tournament director, owner and managing partner of the largest combined ATP World Tour and WTA event at Indian Wells in the California desert.
The day-to-day operations of the tournament and the Indian Wells Tennis Garden will be handled by tournament director and chief operating officer Steve Simon and Pasarell’s business partner Raymond Moore, who reports to event owner Larry Ellison.
Pasarell, 68, plans to develop Royal Isabela golf course and resort with his brother in Puerto Rico. Pasarell was the top-ranked U.S. player in 1967, a year after he won the NCAA singles and doubles titles at UCLA. He played on four U.S. Davis Cup teams and had most of his pro success in doubles.
