{"id":103682,"date":"2026-05-04T22:20:10","date_gmt":"2026-05-04T19:20:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kupitiblog.store\/597\/craig-tiley-explains-his-decision-to-move-from-the-australian-open-to-the-us-open\/"},"modified":"2026-05-04T22:20:10","modified_gmt":"2026-05-04T19:20:11","slug":"craig-tiley-explains-his-decision-to-move-from-the-australian-open-to-the-us-open","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kupitiblog.store\/597\/craig-tiley-explains-his-decision-to-move-from-the-australian-open-to-the-us-open\/","title":{"rendered":"Craig Tiley explains his decision to move from the Australian Open to the US Open"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\"Craig<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Back in February, Craig Tiley made it official that he would be stepping down from his role as CEO of Tennis Australia.<\/strong><\/p>\n

This decision will bring an end to his 13 years leading the organisation.<\/p>\n

The South African is set to take up his new post at the USTA later this year, but before he does, he\u2019s working to ensure a smooth transition for Tennis Australia.<\/p>\n

Nearly two months after the announcement, Tiley has now opened up about why he decided to make the move from Australian tennis to American tennis.<\/p>\n

Craig Tiley sees a \u2018massive opportunity\u2019 in US tennis<\/h2>\n

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Photo by William WEST \/ AFP via Getty Images<\/p>\n

\u201cIt started way back when Brian [Vahaly] was a junior player, I was at the University of Illinois,\u201d Tiley said while speaking to Andy Roddick on the Served Podcast.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was trying to get the best junior players to come to Illinois, and it didn\u2019t really happen because we weren\u2019t very good, and he kind of blew me up during the recruitment process, so I promised one day I\u2019d get him back, and here we are!<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy, there\u2019s a couple things. One, I just see a massive opportunity in US tennis right now.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a long-term vision, there hasn\u2019t been that, ever, I think we\u2019re in a great position, the game is growing.<\/p>\n

\u201cI saw tremendous upside; there\u2019s a way that the US can lead the world in participation \u2013 getting people to play the game \u2013 getting people to perform well in the game.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been very lucky; the years I had at Tennis Australia \u2013 I think I had every possible job under the sun \u2013 and it has been magnificent. It just came that time where everything aligned and I went for it.\u201d<\/p>\n

In an official statement published by USTA following his appointment as CEO last year, Tiley issued his response:<\/p>\n

Tiley takes over from Lew Sherr who left his post as USTA chief for Major League Baseball\u2019s New York Mets where he serves as president of business operations.<\/p>\n

Tiley Praises USTA\u2019s Direction<\/h2>\n

Tiley spoke highly of the USTA\u2019s leadership and their ability to bring people together in a statement released on their website earlier this year.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am truly honoured to step into the role of CEO of the USTA later this year,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019ve long admired the organisation\u2019s leadership in growing the game across the United States and the extraordinary success of the US Open.<\/p>\n

\u201cTennis has shaped my life \u2014 personally and professionally \u2014 and having begun my tennis journey in the U.S. as an NCAA championship coach, this opportunity feels like a full-circle moment.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m excited to return to American tennis and to work alongside our leadership locally and nationally to continue building the sport\u2019s reach, impact, and future.\u201d<\/p>\n

He added: \u201cTennis is one of the few truly global sports that you can play for a lifetime, at any level, and that\u2019s part of its magic. It has an incredible ability to bring people together \u2013 players, fans, communities \u2013 across countries and cultures. I firmly believe the opportunity ahead for our sport is enormous.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re moving from engaging millions who attend events live to connecting with billions of fans around the world digitally, year-round.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf we continue to innovate and tell the story of our sport in a compelling way, tennis will only grow stronger, more connected, and more impactful in years ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n

Read more:<\/strong><\/p>\n