OFFICIAL: Craig Tiley departs Tennis Australia for USTA CEO role

(Getty/James D. Morgan)

Tennis' worst-kept secret is finally out in the open, following the announcement of Craig Tiley's 21-year journey at Tennis Australia coming to an end.

Last week, The First Serve exclusively reported that Tiley's departure would be announced sometime this week.

And yesterday, The First Serve revealed that Tiley officially addressed all staff at Tennis Australia of his departure, with the USTA announcement to be made offical sometime Wednesday (AEDT).

As of this morning, Tennis Australia has released the following official statement:

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Tennis Australia today announced Chief Executive Officer Craig Tiley has accepted the position of Chief Executive Officer of the United States Tennis Association (USTA).

Tiley will remain in his current role over the coming months to help Tennis Australia appoint his successor and to support a smooth transition.

Commencing as Tennis Australia’s Director of Player Development in 2005, Tiley became Australian Open Tournament Director in 2006 and CEO in 2013. He has presided over a period of unprecedented growth for both the sport and the Australian Open. 

"Leading this team has been the privilege of my life. I am incredibly proud that Tennis Australia is now recognised globally as the player's partner and the benchmark for the sport, events and entertainment,” Tiley said.

“The sport in Australia is in excellent shape. Tennis is one of the nation’s most popular sports, and participation is growing strongly – up eight per cent last year. We have a great group of players performing at the highest level and a world-class team developing the next generation of talented players and coaches.

“But my greatest thrill has been working with the many talented people throughout our entire team and indeed the Australian tennis family. It is a tight-knit community with so much passion, talent and commitment to the sport we all love.

“While I look forward to the challenge at the USTA, my immediate and total focus is clear: delivering a smooth transition and ensuring I leave the sport, the business and the team in the best possible shape.”

Tennis Australia Chair Chris Harrop said Tiley’s tenure has been transformative:

“Under Craig’s leadership, participation and engagement with our sport has gone from strength to strength. Tennis is very much front of mind for many Australians – from the Hot Shots program and social tennis through to club and competitive play, and the excitement of recent innovations like the One Point Slam.

“Tennis Australia is now globally renowned for its innovation, inclusiveness and event management, as showcased in an outstanding Summer of Tennis which culminated in a another record-breaking Australian Open this year.

“The fact that Craig has been selected for one of the biggest roles in global sport is a testament to the strength of our organisation,” Harrop said.

“We want to thank Craig for his enormous contribution to tennis in Australia and for his role in developing an outstanding team which is well equipped to deliver continued success. We have commenced an internal and external search for a new CEO and look forward to an orderly transition."

Tennis Australia has appointed international executive recruitment firm Egon Zehnder to lead the search for Tiley’s replacement.

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64-year-old Tiley first joined Tennis Australia in 2005 as the Director of Tennis, before being appointed as the CEO and Australian Open Tournament Director in 2013.

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Tiley will tackle a new challenge as the United States Tennis Association (USTA) CEO, with the American tennis governing body functioning without a permanent CEO since the departure of Lew Sherr in mid-2025.

As reported in December, Tiley was in advanced talks with the USTA, just days after Jayne Hrlicka retired as Tennis Australia Chair, despite refusing to put the rumours to bed on the eve of the Australian Open.

Tiley leaves a huge legacy behind, having continually transformed Melbourne Park into arguably the best precinct of the four Slams, which has also helped shatter attendance records.

It remains to be seen who Tennis Australia appoint as Tiley's replacement, and the bigger question is whether the CEO and Australian Open Tournament Director roles will be split.

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