US Open Tournament Director Stacey Allaster has been awarded one of the highest civilian honors in her native Canada, the Order of Canada.
Given to those who make "extraordinary contributions to the nation," according to the Governor General of Canada website, Allaster has been named a companion, the highest of the honor's three tiers. She was among 85 new selections this year announced Wednesday, a group that also included Emmy-nominated actress Sandra Oh and 1996 Olympic gold medalist Donovan Bailey.
Allaster, the USTA's chief executive of professional tennis, was named US Open Tournament Director in 2020. She's the first woman to hold that position in the tournament's more than 140-year history, and while she's particularly proud of that achievement, kudos from her home country left her almost at a loss for words.
"The sport of tennis has given me everything in my professional life, and it all started with the Canadian tennis volunteers, coaches and administrators who wanted to provide young girls with an opportunity to play tennis," Allaster said. "So many people believed in me and I share this honor with all of them."
Allaster joined the USTA in 2016 after more than nine years with the WTA, where she served as the tour's chairman and CEO from 2009-15. The Ontario native initially joined the administration of the women's professional circuit as its president in 2006. Her career in the sport dates back more than two decades and also included nearly 15 years at Tennis Canada.
"I've been fortunate to have an opportunity to work with and learn from Billie Jean King, and she often reminds us that it's not what you get that is important, it's what you give," Allaster added. "I am very proud that the Order of Canada honor recognizes that I've used my leadership positions within the sport and entertainment industry to give back, to mentor and to pull talented women through to the C-suite and the decision-making table as we continue the journey towards achieving gender equality—and I am equally as inspired and motivated by so many of today's female leaders who remain driven to support women in the industry."
