Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley has confirmed his departure from Tennis Australia to take up the role of CEO of the United States Tennis Association (USTA).
Tiley has been Tournament Director of the Australian Open since 2006 and CEO of Tennis Australia since 2013.
He will remain in this role until Tennis Australia appoints his successor in the coming months.
“Leading this team has been the privilege of my life. I am incredibly proud that Tennis Australia is now recognized globally as the players’ partner and benchmark for sport, events and entertainment,” Tiley said.
“Sport in Australia is in excellent shape.
“Tennis is one of the most popular sports in the country, and participation is growing strongly, up 8 percent last year.
“We have a fantastic group of players performing at the highest level and a world-class team developing the next generation of talented players and coaches.”
Craig Tiley congratulates Novak Djokovic after the Serbian won the 2023 Australian Open. (Getty Images: James D. Morgan)
The USTA said Tiley would formally assume his responsibilities in the coming months.
The US governing body said Tiley was widely credited “for driving monumental growth in tennis participation during his tenure in Australia”.
“Craig brings a rare combination of global credibility at the highest level of the sport and a proven commitment to growing the game at the grassroots,” said USTA Board of Directors Chairman Brian Vahaly.
“As we look to fully leverage the power of the US Open as a platform for inspiration and growth, Craig’s leadership and understanding of the entire tennis ecosystem will be invaluable.”
“From strength to strength”
Before joining Tennis Australia, Tiley was a successful coach in the American university system, managing the University of Illinois men’s team from 1994 to 2005.
The Australian Open attracted a record crowd in 2026. (Getty Images: Darrian Traynor)
Tennis Australia president Chris Harrop described Tiley’s tenure as transformative.
“Under Craig’s leadership, participation and commitment to our sport has gone from strength to strength,” he said.
“Tennis is a priority for many Australians – from the Hot Shots program and social tennis, to club and competitive play, to the excitement of recent innovations like the One Point Slam.
“Tennis Australia is now globally recognized for its innovation, inclusiveness and event management, as evidenced by an exceptional summer of tennis that culminated in another record-breaking Australian Open this year.”
Tennis Australia has appointed an international executive search firm to find Tiley’s replacement.
