The United States Tennis Association (USTA) recently announced the appointment of Craig Tiley as its new Chief Executive Officer, marking a significant transition in leadership for American tennis. Tiley, who has served as the CEO of Tennis Australia since 2013 and is also recognized for his role as the Tournament Director of the Australian Open, is expected to bring a wealth of experience and innovative ideas to his new position.
At 64 years of age, Tiley has carved out an impressive career within the sport, having worked at various levels including coaching, community engagement, and high-level administration. His dedication to promoting tennis and enhancing player participation has earned him significant respect within the tennis community. Under his stewardship, Tennis Australia saw a remarkable increase in engagement, with participation rising by 30% over the past five years, driven by initiatives that made tennis the second most played sport in Australia, just behind soccer.
Brian Vahaly, the USTA Board Chair and interim Co-CEO, expressed confidence in Tiley’s ability to lead the organization towards its ambitious goal of reaching 35 million players by 2035. Vahaly stated that Tiley brings a crucial blend of global credibility and grassroots commitment, making him exceptionally well-suited for this moment in American tennis.
Tiley himself described this new role as a “full-circle moment,” reflecting on his early career as the head coach of the University of Illinois men’s tennis team, where he led the team to an NCAA Championship. He expressed his excitement about returning to the United States and contributing to the growth and influence of tennis in the country.
During his tenure with Tennis Australia, Tiley orchestrated a series of successful initiatives that not only led to record-breaking attendance figures at the Australian Open but also fostered a more inclusive tennis community, with a notable increase in female coaches within the sport.
As Tiley prepares to assume his role with USTA later this year, he emphasizes his commitment to further expanding the sport’s reach and impact. His extensive background in collegiate coaching and community tennis development positions him well to build on the current momentum of the USTA and lead American tennis into a new chapter.
With Craig Tiley at the helm, the future of tennis in the United States appears promising, as he gears up to inspire the next generation of players and fans alike.
