St Petersburg, Florida - The WTA will be headed by a woman after Canadian Stacey Allaster was promoted Monday from president to CEO, five months after longtime head Larry Scott announced he was stepping down.

Allaster, 46, a former boss of Tennis Canada credited with revitalising tennis in her home nation, replaces Scott, who served for six years and officially left only weeks ago for a job in American university sports as head of the PAC-10 conference in San Francisco.

Allaster was picked after months of extensive deliberations by an executive search firm, who also reportedly interviewed outside candidates.

"I'm honoured to lead the WTA Tour, which since its founding by Billie Jean King 36 years ago has continued to break barriers and grow into a premier global sporting league," she said.

"The Tour and our sport have enjoyed unprecedented success over the past years, and we are poised for even greater heights in the years to come. Our primary and enduring focus will be our fans, our players and our tournaments, and continuing to build a premium sport and entertainment brand."

Venus Williams, a member of the player council, praised the appointment.

"Women's tennis and the Tour have never been stronger as a business, and Stacey has been at the center of this business success over the past years. I believe she will be a great leader for the Tour, understands how players can help drive our business, and has all the tools to take our sport to even greater heights."

Allaster came to the WTA in January, 2006 in the newly-created role of President, responsible for the Tour's operations, business development, television, new media and tournament and player relations.(dpa)