Incoming USTA CEO Craig Tiley Shares His Vision for the Future of American Tennis

With six consecutive years of participation growth and more than 28 million people taking to the courts, American tennis is riding an unprecedented wave of momentum. Now, that momentum gets a world-class driver as Craig Tiley officially steps into his role as Chief Executive Officer of the USTA.

 

Bringing over two decades of transformative leadership from Tennis Australia, where he revolutionized the Australian Open, and a foundational background in collegiate coaching, Tiley arrives ready to unite the sport at every level. From grassroots park programs and collegiate courts to the grand stage of the US Open, his mission is clear: listen, collaborate and grow the game beyond what anyone thought possible.

 

Here, the incoming USTA CEO shares his leadership philosophy, his commitment to the coaching community and his vision for the future of American tennis.

I believe American tennis is at one of the most exciting moments in its history. We have more than 28 million people playing our sport, incredible momentum across every level of the game and some of the world's best athletes competing on both the ATP and WTA Tours. There is genuine excitement around tennis, and with that comes an incredible opportunity to grow the game even further.

 

What drew me to this role was the chance to help bring all of those pieces together. The USTA is uniquely positioned to unite our sport, from grassroots participation to high performance, from local communities to the biggest stages in tennis. I'm excited to work alongside our 17 USTA Sections, our coaches, teaching professionals, volunteers, parks, schools, colleges, clubs and industry partners to ensure we're all pulling in the same direction.

 

I'm equally excited about the role the US Open can play in that future. It's much more than one of the world's great sporting events – it's the single greatest promotional and commercial opportunity for tennis in the United States. Every year, millions of people are inspired by what they see during those two weeks in New York. Our opportunity is to turn that inspiration into year-round participation, stronger local programs, greater visibility for coaches and facilities and sustained investment in our sport.

 

At the center of all of this are coaches. I've always believed coaches are the heart of tennis. They introduce children to the game, help players reach their potential, build confidence and often become lifelong mentors. My own journey began as a collegiate coach, so I understand firsthand the impact they have, not just on developing better players, but better people.

 

That's why I'm especially looking forward to spending time with coaches, teaching professionals, parents, volunteers and community leaders across the country. Some of the best ideas don't come from an office – they come from the people who are on the courts every day. My commitment is to listen, learn and work together to create more opportunities for everyone to experience and enjoy this incredible sport.

College coaching shaped the way I lead more than anything else. As a coach, you're responsible for far more than wins and losses. You're helping young people develop as athletes, students, teammates and leaders. Every day you're balancing competition with development, managing different personalities, solving problems and helping people believe they can achieve more than they thought possible.

 

Those experiences taught me lessons that have stayed with me throughout my career. I've learned that the best results come from listening first, building trust, surrounding yourself with great people and creating an environment where others can do their best work. Leadership isn't about having all the answers – it's about bringing people together around a shared purpose.

 

Whether you're leading a college team, a Grand Slam tournament or now the USTA, those principles remain the same. Great organizations succeed because of their people. When individuals feel valued, empowered and connected to a common vision, extraordinary things can happen.

 

I've also learned that success requires a willingness to evolve. Tennis has incredible momentum today, and it's our responsibility to continue building on that by embracing new ideas while staying true to the values that have made our sport so special.

My message is simple: we're all on the same team.

 

Whether you coach beginners at a public park, teach at a club, lead a high school or college program, work with aspiring professionals, or volunteer in your local community, your role matters. Every lesson you teach, every player you encourage, and every family you welcome into tennis strengthens our sport.

 

The USTA's role is to support you. We want to listen, collaborate and provide the resources, opportunities and partnerships that help coaches and communities succeed. Together, we have an incredible opportunity to grow participation, inspire the next generation of players and ensure tennis continues to be a sport for everyone.

 

One of the things I've always loved about tennis is that it's truly a lifelong sport. It builds friendships, strengthens communities, teaches resilience and creates opportunities for people of all ages and abilities. That's something worth protecting and growing.

 

As I begin this new chapter, I'm excited to get out across the country, meet coaches and tennis leaders from every community, hear your ideas and learn from your experiences. The future of American tennis won't be built by any one organization or individual – it will be built through partnership. If we work together and keep the player at the center of everything we do, I believe the best days for tennis in the United States are still ahead of us.