sports
February 25, 2026
Craig Tiley Departs Australia Having Indelibly Changed the Tennis Landscape
Tiley Propelled Australian Open to Current Heights Through Limitless Ambition and Brute Force, But a Stronger Player Pipeline Would Be Welcome
TL;DR
- Craig Tiley, Director of Tennis at Tennis Australia since 2005, is leaving after a complex and impactful two decades.
- He oversaw the Australian Open's expansion into a major entertainment and sporting event, increasing attendance from 554,858 in 2007 to 1.4 million in 2026.
- Tiley's leadership involved securing state government investment for facility upgrades and introducing innovations like a Sunday start to extend the tournament.
- He navigated challenges such as the Novak Djokovic deportation controversy and the financial impact of COVID-19, with the 2021 edition resulting in a $100 million loss.
- A key area of concern during his tenure has been the development of Australian players, with limited homegrown talent in the top rankings.
- Tiley's successor will be chosen through a process managed by Egon Zehnder, with potential internal candidates including Tom Larner, Stephen Farrow, and Cam Pearson.
- Tiley is moving to the United States Tennis Association, leaving behind a strategic plan for Tennis Australia through 2030.
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