Portugal Colonial - Australian Open chief Tiley steps down to take top US job

Tiley, who is also Tennis Australia chief executive, is to remain in his current roles for the coming months to ease the switch to new leadership.

"Leading this team has been the privilege of my life," Tiley said in a statement.

"While I look forward to the challenge at the USTA, my immediate and total focus is clear: delivering a smooth transition and ensuring I leave the sport, the business and the team in the best possible shape."

Tiley, who became Australian Open tournament director in 2006 and Tennis Australia chief executive in 2013, has accepted the post of USTA's chief executive.

Tennis Australia director Chris Harrop said Tiley's tenure had been "transformative".

"Under Craig's leadership, participation and engagement with our sport has gone from strength to strength," Harrop said.

"We want to thank Craig for his enormous contribution to tennis in Australia and for his role in developing an outstanding team which is well-equipped to deliver continued success."

Tennis Australia said it had started an internal and external search for a new chief executive and it looked forward to an "orderly transition".

P.Serra--PC