Craig Tiley appointed USTA chief after 13 years at tennis Australia

Former Australian Open director to lead US tennis push towards 35 million players by 2035 Craig Tiley has been appointed chief executive of the United States Tennis Association (USTA), ending a 13-year tenure at Tennis Australia where he oversaw record growth at the Australian Open. Tiley, 64, will formally assume his new role later this year, replacing Lew Sherr, who has departed to join Major League Baseball’s New York Mets. He is expected to remain in Australia in the interim to ensure a smooth leadership transition. Craig Tiley with Australian open champion Carlos Alcatraz A former c

Former Australian Open director to lead US tennis push towards 35 million players by 2035 Craig Tiley has been appointed chief executive of the United States Tennis Association (USTA), ending a 13-year tenure at Tennis Australia where he oversaw record growth at the Australian Open. Tiley, 64, will formally assume his new role later this year, replacing Lew Sherr, who has departed to join Major League Baseball’s New York Mets. He is expected to remain in Australia in the interim to ensure a smooth leadership transition.

Craig Tiley with Australian open champion Carlos Alcatraz

A former collegiate coach in the United States, the South African-born executive returns to American tennis at a pivotal time for the sport’s domestic expansion. The USTA has set an ambitious target of reaching 35 million players nationwide by 2035. “I’ve long admired the organisation’s leadership in growing the game across the United States and the extraordinary success of the US Open,” Tiley said in a statement. “I’m excited to return to American tennis and to work alongside our leadership locally and nationally to continue building the sport’s reach, impact and future.”

Record Growth in Melbourne

Tiley became chief executive of Tennis Australia in 2013 and served as tournament director of the Australian Open, where he championed structural and commercial innovation. Under his leadership, the year’s opening Grand Slam expanded to a 15-day format and launched new initiatives, including the inaugural Million Dollar One Point Slam exhibition event. The tournament also broke attendance and revenue records during his tenure, drawing more than 1.3 million fans to this year’s edition alone. The Australian Open consolidated its position as one of the most commercially successful events in global tennis during his administration, combining infrastructure upgrades, digital engagement strategies and expanded broadcast partnerships.

US Roots and Collegiate Success

Before transitioning into sports administration, Tiley built his reputation in American college tennis. He served as head coach of the University of Illinois men’s team from 1994 to 2005, guiding the program to the 2003 NCAA Division I National Championship with a perfect 32–0 season. That blend of elite performance experience and grassroots development is central to his new mandate. USTA chair Brian Vahaly said Tiley emerged as the preferred candidate following a leadership search focused on accelerating participation and strengthening the sport’s national footprint. “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,” Vahaly said. “That balance is exactly what this moment requires.”

Strategic Moment for US Tennis

Tiley’s appointment comes as American tennis seeks to capitalise on renewed interest at both professional and community levels. The USTA oversees development pathways, national tournaments and the staging of the US Open, one of the sport’s four Grand Slam events and a major revenue driver.

Craig Tiley after being appointed as USTA

With experience spanning elite tournament management and developmental coaching, Tiley is expected to focus on expanding participation, strengthening infrastructure and sustaining the commercial strength of US tennis in a competitive global sports market. His formal transition later this year marks the beginning of a new chapter for the USTA and the return of a seasoned administrator to the American tennis landscape.