Celebrating Women’s History Month: Jane Forman

During Women’s History Month, USTA Florida is highlighting women that showcase what it means to have passion for tennis. This includes families, coaches, players, volunteers, generational stories, and much more. 

With Florida being one of the largest tennis sections in the country, there is a need for organizers so every community can enjoy the thrills of playing the sport. For Jane Forman, Director of Racquet Sports at Riviera Tennis Center in Miami, helping everyone feel included in the sport is one of her greatest joys. 

Jane’s journey with tennis began at the age of 6, as her mother and older sisters were already taking lessons and got her involved. As she began to be around the sport more, her love kept growing, eventually turning into a lifelong passion and career. 

She started training hard and competed in Rhode Island as a junior athlete. In her years living there, she went on to win the Rhode Island State Championships. This led to her USTA junior competitive career, where she was highly ranked and won the New England Championships at the age of 18. Jane played four years of high school tennis, never dropping a match or even a single set during that span. 

She earned a scholarship to play tennis at Clemson University and was an All-American all four years. Jane broke many records in her playing career, and they still stand today. At Clemson she won the most singles matches ever in a season (44) and set a career record (137). 

Jane became a professional tennis player on the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Tour and in 1983, she competed in her first Grand Slam tennis main draw match at the US Open. In 1986, she reached the second round of Wimbledon, where she fell to the eventual champion, and 18-time Grand Slam winner, Martina Navratilova. 

“I have navigated every aspect of the game, from junior tennis to High School tennis to College Tennis and then professional tennis,” Jane said. “I am proud to have achieved high ranks and set records in all aspects of the game, including the pinnacle, playing Martina Navratilova at Wimbledon.” 

She was inducted into the Clemson University Athletic Hall of Fame in 2003, named a top athlete of the century from Rhode Island, and was nominated for Miami-Dade County Businesswoman of the Year in 2008. 

Over the years, Jane’s involvement in tennis has transcended to many generations. After playing, she created the Jane Forman Tennis Academy, and it has been a staple of Miami tennis over the past few decades. More than 10,000 kids and 4,000 adults have participated in her programs, helping shape future champions. 

Today, as the Director of Racquet Sports for Riviera Tennis Center, she is helping touch the lives of many, including her own family. Not only did her nieces become a part of her tennis programs, lessons, and camps, but Jane now gets to teach their children and show them the joys of tennis. 

Why is it Important for Gender Diversity in Tennis 

Jane loves tennis for its inclusivity and longevity. She believes it’s more than just a sport; it’s a platform for building community, forging friendships, and nurturing lifelong relationships. She appreciates how tennis can bring families together, requiring only two people to play and enjoy the game. 

However, Jane’s path in tennis wasn’t without challenges. “When I started my business right off the tour, I was in a male-dominated industry,” she recalled. “I was perceived as being ‘tough’ while making the same decisions a male director would make. As a woman, I had to work twice as hard to earn respect in a very competitive industry.” She found that as times changed it has been a bit more common to see women in positions of authority, but there is still work to be done. 

Jane believes that the tennis community can increase opportunities for girls through girls-only programs, promoting welcoming environments for girls hesitant to get involved, offering women specific certifications, and supporting female coaches and leaders.  

She recognizes the importance of Women’s History Month as a time to celebrate the achievements of women who have shaped the world. While women are still heavily underrepresented in the community, it’s a chance to look back at how much women have accomplished in the sport. 

“Women’s History Month is a golden opportunity to recognize the achievements of women who have helped shape our world,” Jane said. “It shows girls and young women what is possible and encourages them to pursue their goals. In addition, it creates awareness of the need for gender equality.” 

Jane acknowledges that there are many women out there who want to be involved with tennis but are scared or who haven’t yet, “Women represent a large demographic who aren’t playing tennis but have expressed wanting to play. Women play a key role in providing the opportunity for girls to play, because when mothers play tennis, their daughters tend to play too.” 

Jane’s advice to aspiring women in tennis is simple. “Passion equals success,” she said. “Find your passion and go all in. Whether it’s playing, coaching, officiating, or working in administration. Don’t be afraid to pivot and change directions. Society will dictate their needs. Constantly work to improve your knowledge and abilities in your chosen field.” 

As she looks to the future, Jane remains committed to making tennis more inclusive and accessible to all. Through community outreach she aims to reach more young girls and women, creating a more diverse sport.