In Episode 129 of the No Limitations podcast Put It On The Line, Blenheim Partners’ Gregory Robinson speaks with Craig Tiley, Chief Executive Officer of Tennis Australia.

Craig provides an insider’s perspective on the Australian Open and sheds light on the three main groups he and the team are responsible for: over one million patrons in attendance, a global viewership surpassing one billion, and over 800 players from more than 205 countries. Craig explains his new initiatives for the tournament in the next two years and his ambition for the Australian Open to become the best sporting event worldwide with over one billion dollars in revenue. Standing back, Craig explains how he fell in love with tennis in apartheid South Africa and shares with us his view on the “massive logistical exercise” of running the Australian Open as well as some interesting stories and perspectives.

As Chief Executive Officer of Tennis Australia, Craig is also the Tournament Director of the Australian Open. Prior to this, he was the Director of Player Development at Tennis Australia. Earlier, he was Head Coach of the men’s tennis team at the University of Illinois which he led to the longest winning streak in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) history. Craig also served as Captain of the South African Davis Cup Team and was a part of the Professional Tennis Management program at the University of Texas at Tyler while he completed a master’s degree in kinesiology. Earlier in life in South Africa, Craig was a highly ranked amateur tennis player who completed an economics degree at the University of Stellenbosch as well as military service as a Lieutenant in the South African Army. Craig is the Chair of the Coalition of Major Professional and Participation Sports in Australia and is on the Boards of SafetyCulture and arts festival Rising.

Please note: this episode was recorded on 6 December 2023.

 

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