EXCLUSIVE | From ATP Tour life to tournament director: Rik de Voest’s story

For former South African ATP Tour professional Rik de Voest, running a world-class tennis tournament is less about high-level logistics and more about understanding the human side of life on the tour.

Having spent 16 years competing across the globe, navigating endless hotel fatigue and local travel quirks, anticipating a player’s needs before they even arise is second nature.

Whether optimising practice court schedules, fine-tuning warm-up environments, or adjusting match timing, these subtle tour-level details directly dictate a player’s experience.

True differentiator

Now directing the Odlum Brown VanOpen at West Vancouver’s Hollyburn Country Club, Rik de Voest points to the event’s famous housing initiative as its true differentiator.

Touring professionals spend nine to ten months out of the year living out of identical, sterile hotel rooms.

By connecting incoming athletes with local host families through a community billeting system, the tournament offers home-cooked meals and a warm family environment.

A rare luxury on the road that keeps top-tier talent returning year after year.

Equally vital to the event’s identity is its commitment to parity: running simultaneous ATP Challenger and WTA events on the same courts, supported by primary sponsors, ensures equal prize opportunities, and delivers a high-energy atmosphere for spectators and athletes alike.

Reflecting on the international landscape, De Voest also sees vital lessons for tennis growth back in his home nation of South Africa.

Supporting a year-round pro circuit in South Africa in isolation is financially challenging due to geographic distance and travel costs.

The path forward requires cross-border collaboration among regional federations, such as Botswana, Namibia, and Zimbabwe, to build consecutive tournament swings.

By establishing connected Futures and Challenger events across Southern Africa, emerging players can earn crucial ranking points without taking on the massive financial burden of traveling overseas.

Long-term infrastructure over short-term flash

Furthermore, Rik de Voest advocates for building long-term infrastructure over short-term flash.

While hosting a one-off ATP 250 event creates short-lived excitement, it quickly drains local budgets.

A sustainable model relies on a steady foundation of lower-tier ITF events that give regional talent a realistic three-to-five-year stepping stone.

Bridging the treacherous transition between ages 18 and 21, where many promising players drop out due to financial constraints, requires structured support.

Leveraging pathways like the US college circuit or local team frameworks gives young athletes the time and structure needed to mature physically and mentally before diving into the unforgiving world of full-time professional play.

Dual development

For young competitors preparing for the reality of life after professional sports, Rik de Voest’s advice centres on dual development.

Education should not be viewed as a distraction from athletic goals, but as a crucial safety net.

Completing a degree through remote or online programmes while competing alleviates financial stress and offers peace of mind in the face of unexpected injuries.

Just as importantly, athletes must realise that their competitive mindset is fully transferable to the business world.

The discipline, resilience, and work ethic forged through years of elite competition translate directly into careers in real estate, finance, or corporate management.

Achieving success off the court simply requires the same patience and effort.

Accepting that establishing a new career takes roughly three years of dedicated work to build real momentum, much like climbing the ATP rankings.

Full-circle moment

Ultimately, leading the tournament at Hollyburn represents a deeply personal, full-circle moment.

It is the venue where Rik de Voest won his 2006 singles and doubles titles, where he met his wife Carolyn during the 2005 event, and where he played his final professional match in 2014.

Directing the tournament following its major facility upgrades makes the work feel less like a job and more like stewardship.

Even as a settled West Vancouver local, his Pretoria work ethic and pride in South African sport remain central to everything he does, from tracking domestic rugby to mentoring the next generation of players walking onto the hard courts.

Dave Marshall is reporting exclusively from the 2026 US Open in New York for The South African.