The United States Tennis Association (USTA) has announced that seven Florida tennis facilities are among 25 winners in the USTA’s annual Outstanding Facility Awards program, which recognizes excellence in the construction and/or renovation of tennis facilities throughout the country.
“Great tennis facilities help us to grow the game at the grassroots level, and we are proud to recognize them for their ongoing impact on the sport of tennis,” said Craig Morris, Chief Executive, Community Tennis, USTA. “These facilities have embraced many key tennis initiatives and kept the sport at the forefront of its community each year.”
Winners – Public Courts: Small Tennis Centers (2 to 10 courts)
Lighthouse Point Tennis Center (Lighthouse Point, Fla.)
Lighthouse Point Tennis Center prides itself on creating an incredibly welcoming and inclusive community. All members and guests are welcomed to the facility as friends and the staff at Lighthouse Point Tennis Center pride themselves on the ability to make the sport of tennis fun and engaging. As one member stated, “I came to play tennis at LHP and found a family,” a testament to the reputation they have built within their community.
Winners – Public Courts: Large Tennis Centers (11 or more courts)
City of Palm Beach Gardens Tennis and Pickleball Center (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.)
The City of Palm Beach Gardens Tennis and Pickleball Center offers a premium tennis experience at a public and easily accessible facility. There is a wide range of programming that caters to a variety of their tennis family at a beautiful location and top-class facilities. All instructors are USPTA certified ensuring every participant receives high-quality instruction. Above all, the friendly and family atmosphere at the facility creates a welcoming and inclusive environment for all participants and visitors.
Delray Beach Tennis Center (Delray Beach, Fla.)
The Delray Beach Tennis Center has a unique downtown location that enables easy access to hotels, restaurants, and shopping that helps promote the city’s sporting events and sports tourism. They are the host site for the annual ATP Champions Tour and Delray Beach Open as well as the home court training facility for a number of professional players like Coco Gauff and Frances Tiafoe. Delray Beach Tennis Center has strong community relationships and works with disadvantaged youth and non-profit organizations.
HCC Tennis Center (Tampa, Fla.)
Tejas Pradip Patel HCC Tennis Center’s mission is to break down the barriers and spread the love of tennis to everyone – all ages, skill levels, and backgrounds – in the Tampa community. The facility is utilized by top ATP and WTA professionals, the HCC Hawks collegiate tennis team, local middle and high schools, the Special Olympics, and more. Over the past few years, nearly a half-million dollars has been invested into the facility, creating a premier tennis center with 13 Decoturf hard courts, 10 Har-Tru clay courts, eight pickleball courts, and four dedicated 8U courts with lights on every court. These courts are put to use through the wide variety of programming and lessons offered by Tejas Pradip Patel HCC Tennis Center.
Rick Macci Tennis and Fitness Center (Boca Raton, Fla.)
At the Rick Macci Tennis and Fitness Center visitors and players will find a beautiful well-kept, eye-popping facility. Over $600,000 has been put to use on capital improvements at the facility to ensure a premier tennis experience. The facility is constantly busy with programming for beginners to experienced players; touring professionals can also be seen at the facility at times. In addition to the more general programming, the famed Rick Macci Tennis Academy for aspiring tennis professionals runs out of the facility. To help develop the sport locally, all Palm Beach County residents are able to train at the facility at half price.
Sarah Vande Burg Tennis and Wellness Center (Zephyrhills, Fla.)
SVB Tennis and Wellness Center offers a holistic sporting experience; on top of the various tennis programs, one will find amenities like massages, cryotherapy, halotherapy, IV services, a full fitness center, and an in-house bistro. The coaches and staff have a combined experience of over 100 year, ensuring the clubs success both on and off the court. Although tennis is a primary focus, SVB Tennis and Wellness Center is more than just a tennis facility offering numerous other sports such as pickleball, padel, beach tennis, and beach volleyball.
The Swim and Racquet Center (Boca Raton, Fla.)
The Swim and Racquet Center may look and feel like a country club, but they are one of the best public facilities in the area. Situated in the heart of Boca Raton, it is the perfect place to play tennis. With an incredibly welcoming community and affordable rates, it caters to both entire families and individuals of all ages. They have numerous types of programming such as Tennis 101 and various adult and junior clinics. The Swim and Racquet Center is one of three distinct tennis facilities owned and operated by the city of Boca, the other being the Boca Tennis Center and Patch Reef Tennis Center.
Facilities were judged on the following criteria: overall layout and adaptation to site; excellence of court surface and lights; ease of maintenance; accommodations for players, spectators and press/officials; aesthetics; graphics (including the use of signs and landscaping); amenities such as casual seating for spectators, food services and social areas; and the facilities’ participation in USTA programs.
To see the full list of recipients, click here.
