Malka Wickramatilake

Director, Tennis Industry Relations (2022-Present) & Manager, Industry Relations (2014-2022)

Reporting to SVP of Tennis Industry Relations

· Primary contact for players, agents, tournaments and other stakeholders to help build and control narratives that tell their story in an authentic and marketable way

· Proactively identified risks and implements mitigation strategies to minimize negative impacts on projects

· Relationships management with players, agents, tournaments, federations, sponsors, and media; as well as leaders in politics, entertainment, business, world affairs and sport

· Sourcing talent and contract negotiating for series including “My Tennis Life,” “Bag Checks,” and “Warm & Fuzzy”

· Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders on player shoot from inception to postmortem analytics

· Interview liaison at all ATP and WTA 1000 events, Tour Finals, and Grand Slams

· Coordinating all on-air appearances for various live broadcasts, original programming, ad sales elements, specialty shoots

· Championed diversity and CSR initiatives that enhanced the company’s reputation

· Cultivated positive work environment to foster employee engagement

Media/Player Liaison (2008-2011; Freelance 2011-2013)

Reporting to SVP Ad Sales and SVP of Tennis Industry Relations:

· Brief talent and guests on aspects of interviews including research, pre-interview notes, question topics, logistics

· Secure guests for live broadcasts including Indian Wells, Miami, Roland Garros, and US Open

· Arrange interviews for Live and Original Programming

· Production Manager “Serving up the Slams” – organized all interview bookings, travel and filming logistics at various locations

· Field Producer for Tennis Channel News

· Editor and fact-checking for Jon Wertheim: “Sports Illustrated” (since 2014) and his fifth book, “Glory Days” (2020)

· Developmental Editor at Publish Your Purpose Press, including:

o “Tales of a Suburban Troublemaker” by Ellen Bernard Smith (2024) – also author coach

o “Publish Your Purpose – A Step-By-Step Guide to Write, Publish, and Grow Your Big Idea” by Jenn T. Grace (2023)

o “Gay with God” by Midge Noble (2023)

o “The Last Homosexual” by Dr. Joel Brown (2022)

o “Permission to Choose” by Stef Ziev (2022) – also author coach

o “Just Keep Moving” by Sandra Beltran (2021)

o “Leading Below the Surface” by Latonya Wilkinson (2021) – also author coach

o “Silent Overcomer” by Tracee Hunt (2021) – also author coach

o “Beyond Ally” by Dr. Maysa Akbar (2020) – also author coach

· Editor “Coaching for Life” by Paul Annacone (2018)

· Lead all aspects of media, communications, and broadcast for all live national, regional, and international events

· Media center and TV compound manager; managing media staff, transcriber, and official photographer

· International and local media and broadcast accreditation

· Liaising with broadcasters on fulfilling television requirements and providing ideas for content

· Securing players for interviews and tournament special events

· Acquiring talent and guests for beIN Sports’ studio show during coverage of Qatar ExxonMobil Open, Qatar Total Open and Barclays ATP World Tour Finals as well as international coverage (CNNI, Tennis Channel, Eurosport)

· Creating and managing publicity schedule

· Corporate communications manager for QTF and its Board of Directors

· Overseeing all digital media content and activation

· Grew network of contacts to include leaders in Middle Eastern business, world affairs and sport

· Media Liaison at Australian Open and US Open

· Coordinated, scheduled and moderated press conferences at global events

· Media services, including writing press releases for WTA and ATP Tour players.

· Pitched/placed athlete stories/press releases in international outlets: Tennis Magazine, SI.com, ATPworldtour.com, Tennisweek.com.

· Press Aide at Pro Circuit events in Midland, MI (2005-06); Washington, DC (2006)

· Wrote content, including player bios, for USTA Media Guide (2005-07)

· Wrote press releases, tournament notes, tournament previews, newsletters and pitched stories for Pro Circuit events

· Prepared US Open press material

· Onsite media management at the US Open

· Handled media inquiries professionally and effectively

· Spearheaded public relations efforts, building key relationships with industry partners