WASHINGTON, February 17, 2026 (by Michael Dickens)
Craig Tiley, the highly successful Tennis Australia CEO and longtime Australian Open Director, will step down from his dual position to become the new CEO of the U.S. Tennis Association (USTA) as soon as next week.
The hiring of the 64-year-old South African-born tennis executive and former U.S. collegiate tennis coach is crucial for the USTA because it brings to the organization a proven, innovation-focused leader who reshaped the Australian Open into a global – and top-tier – Grand Slam event.
Tiley will be expected to help modernize the US Open – the year’s fourth Grand Slam held annually at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, N.Y. – and to help drive commercial revenue for the USTA. During Tilly’s tenure Down Under – he has directed the Australian Open since 2006 and led Tennis Australia since 2013 – he helped double revenues at Tennis Australia.
From https://t.co/VEsQFOfpq0 ……Exclusive: Craig Tiley USTA announcement to be made official next week https://t.co/gohidiXwdQ
— Jon Wertheim (@jon_wertheim) February 16, 2026
To his credit, the high-profile Tiley helped turn the “Happy Slam” into a global and entertainment spectacle through driving revenue and increasing attendance. No doubt, the USTA will be looking for him to perform the same magic for the US Open.
Tiley will replace former USTA CEO Lew Sherr, who departed the post last year. He will be tasked with helping to strengthen the USTA’s financial and commercial standing as the US Open is the organization’s primary source of income. His track record of turning the Australian Open into a major entertainment business in recent years made him an ideal candidate to lead the future of the US Open.
This year’s Australian Open established a new all-time record with a total of 1,368,043 fans attending the three-week tournament (including qualifiers). The main draw attendance reached 1,150,044, which broke the previous record set in 2025.
Tiley’s departure from Tennis Australia and the Australian Open to become CEO of the USTA was first reported by thefirstserve.com.au.
“One thing we can tell you tonight is the confirmation of Craig Tiley’s announcement as the new CEO of the USTA will take place next week,” Brett Phillips said on Monday night’s radio show, The First Serve Live.
