Craig Tiley has revealed the fact his wife Ali is American and has family in the States played a big role in his decision to quit as Tennis Australia CEO to join the US Tennis Association. Tennis Australia confirmed on Wednesday that Tiley has stepped down as CEO after holding the role since 2013.
The 63-year-old has also been the Australian Open tournament director since 2006. But he’s quit both roles to take up the top job at the USTA.
Craig Tiley is relocating his wife and kids to America, where Ali has family. Image: Getty
Tiley is uprooting his family to move to Florida, but with American-born wife Ali having family in the States, he said it’s a great opportunity for his 12-year-old twin sons and 13-year-old daughter to experience something new. “People say, ‘You’re mad’. I mean, I do have a great life here,” he told AAP on Wednesday.
“I’ve got a great team. We’re achieving some awesome things and I’m incredibly proud of what’s already been achieved here. The big thing for me was – I do like a challenge. I like change.
“It’s also a personal decision to have the family close to their aunts and uncles, grandparents on that side, which they haven’t had the last 20 years. When your kids are young, it’s a good opportunity. Otherwise they miss that.”
Craig Tiley and wife Ali at the 2024 Newcombe Medal awards.
(Getty Images for Tennis Australi)Craig Tiley rejects claim about Aussie tennis roles
Tiley, who was born in South Africa and coached at college level in the US, has been at the helm of Tennis Australia during a period of unprecedented growth for the sport. He’s transformed the Australian Open into a billion-dollar behemoth and one of the biggest sporting events on the national calendar.
At times there has been criticism that one person shouldn’t be CEO of TA and Australian Open tournament director at the same time. But Tiley is adamant his successor will fill both roles.
Craig Tiley at the Australian Open.
(James D. Morgan via Getty Images)
“A couple of things that I could say unequivocally on behalf of our chair and the board, because I’ve been part of the meetings this week, is that it is going to be one role,” he said. “And it actually is one role. I think that’s very much a misunderstanding.
“Those that work in the company don’t have a problem. They completely understand it. But obviously there’s a lot of people outside the company that don’t understand it completely.
“Because the CEO is the face of the organisation and is responsible for the conversation with the externals, whether it be the members, boards or the public or the media. It would be like having a head coach of a team and then having someone in the back office talking to the media about how the team’s playing. It just doesn’t make any sense.”
Tiley will remain in the role until a successor is appointed. He said the winning candidate will most likely come from the tennis community, but not necessarily.
with AAP