Michael Downey, wearing the orange jacket, at the 2016 Wimbledon Championships. He has announced he will be stepping down as the Lawn Tennis Association chief executive ©Getty Images

Michael Downey is to stand down as the Lawn Tennis Association’s (LTA) chief executive after this year’s Wimbledon Championships to reprise the same role at Tennis Canada.

It was announced today that the Canadian will return to his home country after the Grand Slam, due to take place between July 3 and 16.

Downey joined the LTA in January 2014 after being the chief executive at Tennis Canada for nine years.

During his time in Britain, Downey has focused resources as part of the strategy he helped produce to develop the sport at grassroots level, with initiatives to get more children playing tennis.

He has also seen the national team win their first Davis Cup title in 79 years, when they defeated Belgium in 2015, and Sir Andy Murray win the men’s singles at Wimbledon and gold at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro last year.

"I’ve been honoured to lead the LTA over the last three years as we’ve sought to drive grassroots tennis," Downey said.

Michael Downey will be taking up the role of chief executive officer at Tennis Canada, the same job he had before joining the Lawn Tennis Association ©Getty Images
Michael Downey will be taking up the role of chief executive officer at Tennis Canada, the same job he had before joining the Lawn Tennis Association ©Getty Images

"While the opportunity for me to return to Tennis Canada coincided with my personal desire to return to my home county, I am hugely proud of the foundations the LTA have laid in order to turn participation in Britain’s beloved sport around.

"It is an exciting time for tennis in this country and I look forward to the next six months, maintaining the momentum we’ve built in our continued mission to get more people playing tennis, more often."

It has been confirmed by the LTA that the search for Downey’s replacement has already begun.

LTA chairman David Gregson paid tribute to the Canadian for the work has done while at the association.

"The progress we have made under Michael’s stewardship will continue," he said.

"Michael has worked hard to ensure that the British tennis strategy to get more people playing tennis more often is embedded in the organisation and more broadly amongst the tennis community."