ANDY Murray has paid tribute with other leading players to the chairman and president of the ATP Tour, who has died after suffering from motor neurone disease.

The Dunblane-born world number two stood in silence with his head bowed at the net on court with rivals Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal and women's number one Serena Williams, before the start of yesterday's Madrid Open.

Australian-born Brad Drewett, a former player who reached number 34 in the world singles rankings, died on Friday aged 54.

"It's devastating news for not just us tennis players, but the tennis world," said Djokovic.

"He was a very brave man with the courage to stand up and try to change some things in our sport for the better," added the Serbian world number one.

Mr Drewett was appointed in January 2012 and helped oversee an increase in prize money at grand slam tournaments and a streamlining of the men's calendar.

He announced in January that he intended to step down due to his battle with the neurological disease and died at his home in Sydney.