Craig Tiley, the influential chief executive officer of Tennis Australia and tournament director of the Australian Open, has characterised his decision to leave the organisation after more than two decades as a “personal decision” as he prepares to assume leadership of the United States Tennis Association.

The appointment to head the USTA, the governing body responsible for staging the US Open, marks a significant transition for one of global tennis’s most prominent administrators and reflects his longstanding commitment to advancing the sport internationally. 

Tiley’s departure succeeds a period in which he oversaw record growth in attendance and commercial success at the Australian Open, helping elevate the Grand Slam event’s global stature and expand its appeal to players and fans alike.

After serving Tennis Australia since 2005 and as CEO since 2013, he will relocate to the United States later this year to take up the chief executive role at the USTA, replacing Lew Sherr, who left the position in 2025. The formal appointment is expected imminently and follows months of speculation in tennis circles.

In discussing his decision, Tiley emphasised both professional and personal considerations, noting his pride in what Tennis Australia and the Australian Open have achieved and his confidence in the organisation’s future.

He indicated that the timing felt right to embrace a new challenge and to be closer to family in the United States, reflecting a balance of career ambition and personal priorities.

Tennis Australia’s leadership has begun planning a transition process that will see Tiley remain in his roles for several months to ensure continuity before a successor is appointed. 

Industry figures have described Tiley’s move as a notable moment for tennis governance globally, given his role in shaping one of the sport’s premier events.

The USTA anticipates that his experience in innovation, event growth and participation development will serve it well as it seeks to strengthen the profile and reach of the US Open and expand the sport’s footprint at all levels.

With the announcement forthcoming, tennis stakeholders are watching closely as Tiley prepares to embark on the next chapter of his career while leaving an indelible legacy in Australian tennis.