Report: Craig Tiley closing in on USTA CEO role

(Getty/Sam Tabone)

Long-serving Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley is in advanced talks to become the new United States Tennis Association (USTA) CEO, according to American outlet Sportico, which understands that multiple people are aware of the negotiations.

Tiley, 63, joined Tennis Australia in 2005 as Director of Tennis before being appointed CEO in 2013.

The report claims that Tiley's experience ticks all the boxes for USTA, as the national governing body continues to strive for improvement and innovation for the final Grand Slam of the year — the US Open.

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It comes after a diligent six-month hiring process, with the current role being run by two interim CEO's — board chairman Brian Vahaly and COO Andrea Hirsch — following the departure of former CEO Lew Sherr.

The USTA shared in a statement: "While we do not have any news to share at this time, we are confident that our next CEO will continue to build on the USTA's long-standing commitment to growing the game of tennis in communities across the United States and elevating the US Open as the biggest stage for our sport."

In May, the USTA unveiled an exciting US$800 million project to enhance the image of Arthur Ashe Stadium and assemble a world-class Player Performance Centre.

Numbers revealed by the USTA show that Sherr earned more than A$2.2 million from the USTA in fiscal year 2023. As for 2024, the USTA stated a record revenue sum of A$937 million compared to Tennis Australia's A$590.5 million.

Tiley was revealed as Australia's highest-paid sporting executive, earning A$3.78 million in the fiscal year ending September 2023. The figure was reported in a 990 form filed with the US Internal Revenue Service, which provides a more detailed breakdown of executive salaries.

If Tiley accepts the role of USTA CEO and signs a contract in the coming weeks, it remains unclear whether he will continue his job with the 2026 Australian Open, which runs from January 12 - February 1.

Sportico confirmed: "Attempts to reach Tiley via email and LinkedIn weren't returned; a representative for Elevate, which was retained in July to run the process, declined to comment."

The news comes after Jayne Hrdlicka retired as Tennis Australia Chair after eight years.

Tiley was previously the head tennis coach at the University of Illinois, where he guided the Fighting Illini to the 2003 NCAA title. He was also captain of South Africa's Davis Cup team from 1998-2001.

The Kooyong Classic returns to the spiritual home of Australian tennis from January 13-15, 2026.

Each year, the Kooyong Classic features the world’s best players in their final preparation for the Australian Open. 

The 2026 event will feature Lorenzo Musetti, Alexander Bublik, Nick Kyrgios, Karen Khachanov, Flavio Cobolli, Frances Tiafoe, Learner Tien, Matteo Berrettini, Hubert Hurkacz, Marin Čilić and Zhang Zhizhen, alongside Donna Vekić and a special guest appearance by Daniela Hantuchová. More to be announced in the coming weeks.

Tickets on sale now through Ticketek/www.kooyongclassic.com.au

Hospitality packages can be viewed on the Kooyong Classic website and purchased by contacting info@kooyongclassic.com.au.