Craig Tiley is stepping into a new role as the chief executive of the United States Tennis Association (USTA), following a successful 13-year tenure at Tennis Australia. Known for his dynamic leadership as the Australian Open tournament director, Tiley is set to succeed Lew Sherr, who has transitioned to Major League Baseball's New York Mets.
Tiley, originally from South Africa and a seasoned tennis executive, will officially take over his responsibilities at the USTA later this year. In the meantime, he’s ensuring a seamless leadership transition at Tennis Australia.
Reflecting on his new role, Tiley expressed enthusiasm about returning to the U.S. tennis scene. "I've long admired the USTA's leadership in expanding the game across the nation and the remarkable achievements of the US Open," he shared. "I'm eager to collaborate with our local and national leadership to further enhance the sport's reach and impact."
During his time with the Australian Open, Tiley was a pioneer of innovation, expanding the tournament to a 15-day event and introducing the Million Dollar One Point Slam. His leadership saw record-breaking attendance and revenue, with over 1.3 million fans attending this year alone.
Tiley’s roots in U.S. tennis run deep, having served as the head coach of the University of Illinois men's tennis team from 1994 to 2005. Under his guidance, the team clinched the NCAA Division I National Championship in 2003 with an impeccable 32-0 record.
Brian Vahaly, USTA chair, emphasized the importance of Tiley's appointment, stating, "Our priority was finding a leader who could drive participation growth and help us reach our goal of 35 million players by 2035. Craig's global credibility and dedication to grassroots development make him the perfect fit for this pivotal moment."