BNP Paribas Assistant Tournament Director Announces Retirement

INDIAN WELLS, CA - The longtime assistant director of the BNP Paribas Open announced her retirement Wedneday after 35 years of service dating back to the tournament's permanent move to the Coachella Valley in the early 1980s.

DeeDee Felich was brought on in 1981 by then-tournament director Charlie Pasarell, the year that it was nearly moved to Florida.

Felich witnessed the tournament's growth from a smaller-scale event in La Quinta through the construction of two stadiums in Indian Wells, with attendance swelling from 30,000 to nearly 500,000 this year.

Tournament officials said Felich "played a major role in building the tournament into the largest combined WTA & ATP World Tour event in the world."

"After much personal reflection, I have decided to step down from my role at the BNP Paribas Open and the Indian Wells Tennis Garden," she said. "It has been an incredible 35-year career and I am grateful to Charlie Pasarell for the opportunity he gave me. I am exceptionally proud of what we have achieved as a team over the past three decades. I look forward to supporting and enjoying this event as a fan in the years to come."

Chief Operating Officer Steve Birdwell said Felich's "passion and dedication have unequivocally been instrumental in making this tournament recognized as one of the best tournaments in the world by fans, sponsors and media. We are very grateful for her commitment and loyalty over the many years with her creativity, business acumen and leadership."

— By City News Service / Image via Shutterstock.