Beyond the Baseline Podcast: Eric Butorac on new USTA role, retirement

On this week's episode of the SI Tennis Beyond the Baseline Podcast, host Jon Wertheim talks with former ATP Top 20 doubles player Eric Butorac.

On this week's episode of the SI Tennis Beyond the Baseline Podcast, Sports Illustrated executive editor and host Jon Wertheim talks with Eric Butorac.

After playing his last ATP doubles match at the U.S. Open, ending his professional tennis career, Butorac joins the podcast just a few weeks ahead of starting his new career and position at the USTA, as the director of professional tennis operations and player relations​. Butorac, the ATP Player Council president and a former Top 20 doubles player​, discusses what his new role will entail, including player relations at all of the USTA’s events, including the U.S. Open, and USTA Player Development with doubles coaching and mentoring. Butorac also talks about how he spent the last month off after the U.S. Open, what it's like to stay home instead of traveling to tournaments on the tour and how he's adjusting to life after tennis. Butorac also talks about what he's heard in his role from players and their wants and needs during tournaments, which he says has changed over the years. After tweeting about the length of matches, Butorac defends his statement about player health and the five-set match debate. 

• MORE BEYOND THE BASELINE: Dirk Nowitzki | Martina Navratilova

Also on the podcast, Wertheim and Butorac talk about the atmosphere of the U.S. Open and New York and how players handle it during the tournament. 

Listen below and subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or on Stitcher.

Check back on SI.com next week for another episode of Beyond the Baseline.