Where do you think your background—whether it be officer in the armed forces, chair umpire or ATP supervisor—prepared you most for jointly running a tournament of this magnitude?

GRAFF: I think it was 25 years of education, sitting in the classroom learning from the ATP side, learning the rules, learning the officiating world, learning the tournament world, and then continuing working as a supervisor dealing with the players.

So I’ve been prepared for this since back, as you say in the military, when you learn that you have to deliver. If somebody says you have to be there at nine o’clock, you’re not coming at 9:15. When I started this role, I went back in the classroom again, because now I’m learning about streaming, data protection, marketing, sales, ticket sales. It is another dimension of how to deal with the players, but I think I’m ready for it.

I think I have a huge advantage (over) other people. Ninety percent of the male players, they call me my first name, because they know me when I was in the chair. The women players, a lot recognize me also. I think my job as the tournament director is to make sure that I take care of the players. When I meet them, I say, ‘Welcome to Beijing,’ and I introduce myself. ‘If there’s anything I can do for you, please let me know.’

The first impression when they come to Beijing should be very positive, and they should leave here with a good image of what’s happening here in the tournament. It doesn’t matter how good we are at organizing, or our infrastructure, it’s the players that’s most important. I would never have been ready for this role 20 years ago. I’ve grown into it.