Former AFL Chief Gillon McLachlan Tipped as Successor to Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley
Intensifying speculation surrounds the future leadership of Tennis Australia, with prominent voices urging the organisation to consider former AFL boss Gillon McLachlan as a potential successor to current chief executive officer Craig Tiley. This comes amid persistent rumours that Tiley, who also serves as Australian Open tournament director, is a leading candidate for the vacant CEO position at the United States Tennis Association (USTA).
Rumoured Departure and a Proposed Successor
Craig Tiley, originally hired as a tournament director in 2005 before ascending to the CEO role in 2013, has overseen a period of significant growth for Tennis Australia. Under his stewardship, the Australian Open has achieved record-breaking attendance figures. Furthermore, Tiley has been credited with enhancing grassroots tennis initiatives and overseeing major infrastructure upgrades at Melbourne Park.
While no official confirmation has been made regarding Tiley's potential move, coach and former tennis professional Roger Rasheed has publicly advocated for Gillon McLachlan's candidacy. Rasheed praised McLachlan's extensive experience in the sporting industry, highlighting his strategic acumen.
‘Someone like Gillon, he knows how to deal with the big end of town, he’s very intellectual, very smart and understands how to evolve sports and codes,’ Rasheed told Code Sports. ‘He’s got a big range of skill sets, which I’m sure he could bring to the sport.’
McLachlan's Illustrious Sporting Executive Career
Gillon McLachlan, a former Australian rules football player who spent time on Carlton's reserves list, boasts a formidable executive background. He was appointed deputy CEO of the AFL in December 2012, ascending to the chief executive role two years later, succeeding Andrew Demetriou. McLachlan notably guided the league through the unprecedented challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic before stepping down in 2023. He currently serves as the CEO for Australian gaming organisation Tabcorp.
Rasheed emphasised the value of fresh perspective, stating, ‘He’s got a different set of eyeballs and different thoughts. It’s about hearing different thoughts and certain ways of looking at the game. Those conversations are always powerful.’
Tiley's Stance and the Speculation Timeline
The speculation linking Tiley to the USTA role gained momentum during the 2025 Australian Open, following Lew Sherr's departure from the USTA to join the New York Mets MLB team in May of that year. However, Tiley has sought to downplay the rumours, expressing his continued commitment to Tennis Australia and the Australian Open.
‘There’s a lot of speculation around it and I just made a conscious decision not to fuel it,’ Tiley stated. ‘Because I really want to focus on delivering this year. But I can tell you that I’ve got some big plans for the future of the AO. I’ve got a lot of ideas, creativity, energy left to do a lot of things still.’
Potential Benefits of a Leadership Transition
Roger Rasheed suggested that a potential move could prove beneficial for all parties involved. ‘It will be good for Craig and his family with some new challenges and what he wants to do next,’ he said. ‘It will also be healthy for Tennis Australia. They’ll look at finding someone to replace him and bring a different set of eyes, a different vision and skill set.’
Rasheed does not anticipate drastic changes to the Australian Open's successful formula but views evolution as key. ‘I don’t think there will be a dramatic re-shaping in regard to the Australian Open, but it’s just about how we can keep evolving.’ The tennis community now watches closely as the narrative around Tennis Australia's future leadership continues to develop.
