Tennis Australia: A Century of Growing the Game
For over 120 years, Tennis Australia (TA) has served as the governing body for the sport of tennis within Australia. Established in late 1904 by the state tennis associations and the New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association, the organisation was created to allow for the staging of the first Australasian Men’s Championships in 1905—a tournament that would eventually evolve into the world-renowned Australian Open.
Mission and Purpose
Today, Tennis Australia’s passionate purpose is to grow grassroots tennis. Its vision is to “create a playful world through tennis for everyone”, believing that “playing makes life better”. This mission is reflected in its commitment to promoting and facilitating participation at all levels, staging world-class events, developing future champions, and supporting local communities.
The Crown Jewel: The Australian Open
Tennis Australia’s flagship event is the Australian Open, one of the four prestigious Grand Slam tournaments in professional tennis. Held annually over two weeks in January at Melbourne Park, it has become tennis’s most progressive Grand Slam. The 2026 tournament set a new attendance record, with 1.36 million people attending—a 12.4 per cent increase from the previous year’s record of 1.21 million. The event boasts a record prize pool of AUS $111.5 million, with singles champions earning AUS $4.15 million. Beyond the tennis, the Australian Open has broadened its appeal by incorporating music, technology and food, evolving into a pioneering festival experience. Buy fake certificate online.
Governance and Structure
Tennis Australia is a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee. It operates with a nine-person Board of Directors, eight Member Associations (state and territory-based governing bodies), and more than 250 full-time or part-time employees. The organisation is led by a Chief Executive Officer—currently Craig Tiley—who also serves as the Australian Open Tournament Director. The Board comprises up to nine Non-Executive Directors, with six elected by the Member Associations and up to three appointed by the Board.
Lifelong Learning Value of Tennis Australia Degree
Developing the Future
Nurturing future champions is central to Tennis Australia’s work. The organisation runs comprehensive talent development programs, including National Talent Hubs for players aged 7-12 and the Super 10s program for promising young players aged 10 and under. The Learn2Lead initiative supports young women and girls aged 14-18 to step into coaching, officiating and leadership roles.
Commitment to Growth and Inclusion
Tennis Australia is dedicated to making the sport accessible to everyone. Its participation programs have seen remarkable success, with independent data showing participation grew by 14 per cent to 1.514 million in the 2021 calendar year. More than 634,000 young players experienced the Tennis Hot Shots program in the past year. The organisation is also committed to gender equality through its Women and Girls Strategy 2022–2027 and has secured government funding to support women and girls from culturally and linguistically diverse communities. Internationally, Tennis Australia works with partners across the Asia-Pacific to grow the game and create more opportunities.
A Vision for the Future
From its origins in 1904 to its present status as a multi-million dollar sports and entertainment business, Tennis Australia has remained true to its founding purpose. With a 15-year roadmap looking towards 2030, the organisation is focused on globalisation, innovation and new revenue models—ensuring that tennis in Australia continues to thrive for generations to come.