The former chief executive officer of Tennis New South Wales has conceded the organisation ignored the welfare of a junior player who was allegedly sexually abused by a top coach.

Craig Watson has told the Royal Commission Into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse he believed the girl's allegations when they were reported in the late 1990s but nothing was done.

The mother of the rising star, known as BXJ to the inquiry, said on Friday her daughter had felt no one believed her account when an internal investigation took place in September 1999, and the line of questioning in that investigation aimed to discredit her.

In that same month Mr Watson sent a letter to the girl saying the board of Tennis NSW resolved to take no action against coach Noel Callaghan, instead telling the young player to take her allegations to the state's Equal Opportunity Tribunal or to the police.

Mr Callaghan was later charged with offences relating to three children but he was either found not guilty or the charges were dropped.

The current chief executive of Tennis NSW, Alastair Macdonald, has said an official apology may be made to the woman.

When asked whether an apology would be on the cards while testifying at the royal commission, he said he would have to discuss it with the board.

"But my moral compass would suggest so," Mr Macdonald said.

He said the board would also consider apologising to the whistleblower who was victimised after she came forward to support the young player.

'Complete disregard' for girl's welfare

Counsel assisting the inquiry Naomi Sharp put it to Mr Watson that there had been a "complete disregard" for the girl's welfare once allegations had been reported.

Mr Watson replied: "Well, 'complete' is not my word."

Ms Sharp: "Well, no counselling was offered to BXJ, was it?" Mr Watson: "Correct." Ms Sharp: "She was never told that in fact the investigator believed her account." Mr Watson: "Correct." Ms Sharp: "She was never told anyone in Tennis NSW believed her account." Mr Watson: "That's correct." Ms Sharp: "You personally had observed how distressed she was?" Mr Watson: "Yes." Ms Sharp: "There was a complete disregard for her welfare and interests in this matter on the part of Tennis NSW. That's right?" Mr Watson: "Yes."

At the time, the inquiry heard, that the Tennis NSW board allowed Mr Callaghan to continue his responsibilities.

Mr Watson admitted that no consideration was given to whether Mr Callaghan was a continued risk to young players, despite the investigation's report noting four other people in Tennis NSW with concerns over the coach's conduct.

Mr Watson said Mr Callaghan would have been permitted to continue in his role had allegations of sexual abuse not been taken to police.

Coach said girl should not be trusted

The inquiry heard that the coach and others said the girl should not be trusted because of her reputation with boys, which Mr Watson admitted to the royal commission was inappropriate.

He told the inquiry that, at the time, he felt Tennis NSW was "dealing with the matter appropriately".

But with hindsight he believed the organisation should apologise to the young player for how the investigation took place.

The inquiry also heard that a partner at law firm Rigby Cooke Lawyers, who was legally advising Tennis NSW , said the board "must close ranks behind the decision" in an email.

Mr Watson told the inquiry that meant the board was not to openly discuss the case after the investigation report concluded no action would be taken against Mr Callaghan.

Tennis director concedes she 'should have spoke up'

Tennis NSW director Carol Langsford was asked by the head of the inquiry, Justice Peter McClellan, whether she accepted any personal responsibility for no action being taken.

Ms Langsford responded she was simply "one of a board" who followed legal advice but in retrospect she "perhaps should have spoken up".

"If it had been your own daughter, how would you have felt?" Justice McClellan asked.

Ms Langsford answered: "I accept that, yes."

The royal commission continues.