McEnroe Resigning At USTA

Patrick McEnroe announced his resignation as general manager of player development for the USTA during a Wednesday night press conference at the US Open.

The news, first announced by AP and the New York Times, came before McEnroe's press conference where he explained his decision that he said was largely based on his inability to be based full-time at the USTA's new player development facility near Orlando, Florida.

Day 10: Makarova Ices Azarenka | Nishikori Makes History

"I think we both looked at each other over the course of obviously quite a few discussions over the last few months and realized that probably wasn't going to be me for a variety of reasons, both professional and personal, but I certainly felt, as did Gordon (Smith) and Dave (Haggerty), that it was crucial for this person to be down there full time with the amount of resources and efforts that we're putting into the new facility and the new programming in Orlando. So we felt that this was the right opportunity to start a transitional phase so that hopefully I can be involved somewhat over the next few months, however long that may be, to help with the direction that I think we're going in, which I believe is extremely positive. I'm lucky enough to have a couple members of my team here."

McEnroe, the younger brother of John McEnroe, was in the position of developing new American players since 2008. He will stay on in his current position until a new person is hired.

Patrick McEnroe has endured consistent criticism for his efforts, especially with the lack of American men achieving big success at the Grand Slams since the retirement of former No. 1 Andy Roddick. At this year's US Open, no American man got past the third round for the second straight year in a row.

When asked how he would like his tenure to be remembered, McEnroe said, "I have said from the start in taking the job that I never suspected that we or any one person or program can create Serena Williams or John McEnroe or Pete Sampras. But I do believe that if you create a good system and a good program that's organized, that has a coaching philosophy which we have that reaches out with the great private sector that's out there that are in this game, that are in this world. Which there are not that many of them, by the way. There are some great ones, but there are not that many of it. That if you do that, this is a 15- to 20-year project. There is some disappointment in me to not see the whole thing through, but I have to be realistic about it."

Photo Credit: AP