Tiley has been the Australian Open tournament boss for 20 years, securing the future of the grand slam event in Australia with its huge growth in popularity and footprint at Melbourne Park.<\/p>\n
He has also held the Tennis Australia CEO role since 2013 but Abdo appears unlikely to follow the same dual role path.<\/p>\n
Abdo said that, while ultimately responsible for the tournament, he would consider the “organisational design” of Tennis Australia once he officially moved into his role.<\/p>\n
“I’ve been appointed by the board to be the CEO of Tennis Australia, which means you’re responsible for all aspects of the sport, from community sport to pathways and talent development to delivering major events, so the responsibility of the CEO is all encompassing,” he said when asked if he was going to be Open tournament director.<\/p>\n
“What happens underneath that in terms of organisational design and who’s responsible for what, I’ll get to once I start in the role.”<\/p>\n
![\"Two](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/36e477db5b36ae185045d7608523a5c1.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n
Outgoing Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley (right) is leaving to head the United States Tennis Association. (AAP: Joel Carrett)<\/p>\n
Asked if he would appoint someone as tournament director, he said it wasn’t a question he could currently answer.<\/p>\n
Abdo was head-hunted for the TA CEO role, with his wife Anna urging him to take up the opportunity.<\/p>\n
“This is a sport that I have a natural affinity for \u2026my wife is a massive tennis fan, and during the interview process, she said to me, and I quote, ‘Andrew, this is my dream job for you’,” he said.<\/p>\n
“So I felt a lot of pressure, but I’m equally excited, you know, there are a lot of learnings that you can take from leading a sport like rugby league.<\/p>\n
“There’s a huge amount of learnings that are applicable to any other sport, and I can’t wait to bring what I’ve learned and what I’ve gained in rugby league to a different environment, a different context, and a different set of challenges in tennis.”<\/p>\n
Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V’landys has been green-lighted to become ARLC executive chairman, stepping in for Abdo until a permanent replacement is appointed.<\/p>\n
Abdo said he wanted to sign off on a new NRL long-term broadcast deal before taking up his new post, where he faces new global challenges, including grand slam player revenue share pressure.<\/p>\n
He said keeping tennis “relevant” to both fans and grassroots players and developing player talent in Australia were priorities.<\/p>\n
“It’s too early for me to comment on what my particular views on (AO player revenue) are, but what I will say is, it’s really important that we understand and we take into account the views of current players, former players, and all stakeholders in making decisions that are in the best interests of the game long-term.<\/p>\n
“And of course, the players and player welfare, and a fair share of revenue, is important.”<\/p>\n