Leadership Transition in American Tennis
In a significant leadership shift within the realm of American tennis, the U.S. Tennis Association (USTA) announced on Tuesday that Craig Tiley will step into the role of CEO later this year. This marks a pivotal transition as Tiley departs from his long-standing position as the head of Tennis Australia and the tournament director for the renowned Australian Open.
Craig Tiley’s Background and Achievements
Tiley is set to commence his new responsibilities with the USTA in the upcoming months, succeeding Lew Sherr, who left the organization last year to assume the position of president of business operations with the New York Mets. Sherr served as the USTA’s CEO since 2022.
Hailing from South Africa, Tiley has an impressive background in tennis. He was the head coach of the men’s tennis team at the University of Illinois from 1994 to 2005, achieving remarkable success that included winning an NCAA championship and an undefeated season in 2003 with a flawless record of 32-0. Since 2006, he has played an integral role in the Australian Open, where he not only managed the tournament but also pushed it to its evolution into a 15-day event. His leadership saw the tournament achieve new heights in both attendance and revenue.
Recognition and Future Goals
In 2013, Tiley was appointed as the CEO of Tennis Australia, further cementing his reputation in the international tennis community. Brian Vahaly, the interim co-CEO of the USTA and chair of its board, praised Tiley as possessing
“a rare combination of global credibility at the highest level of the sport”
and a
“proven commitment to growing the game at the grassroots,”
emphasizing that these qualities are essential to meet the current demands of the sport.
