The Sunshine State is often referred to as the best place to play tennis. From the competition to the weather, it’s hard to replicate the atmosphere Florida gives its athletes. Through the past 75 years, there have been many tennis legends that represent the state who have had phenomenal careers on the courts and have shaped the landscape of tennis for generations to come.
Mary Joe Fernandez, a Miami native, emerged as one of the most decorated American tennis players of her generation. Getting her start in junior tennis in Florida, Fernandez set an unprecedented streak at the Orange Bowl, winning Girls 12s, 14s, 16s and 18s in consecutive years. When she transitioned to the pros, she continued to make waves. With two Grand Slam titles in doubles, two Olympic gold medals in doubles, and a silver in singles, Fernandez’s career was one to remember.
She credited some of her success to the state of Florida, and how easy it was to get involved with the sport. “My favorite part about tennis in Florida is that it’s so accessible,” she said, “You literally turn left, turn right, look in front and you can find tennis courts.” Her tenacity, versatility, and unwavering commitment to the game has solidified her place among the Florida tennis greats. She was induced into the USTA Florida Hall of Fame in 1999 for her junior and professional playing accomplishments. After her playing career, she coached the US Fed Cup Team from 2008 to 2016, shaping the next generation of Team USA athletes.
Another Florida native, Jim Courier, soared to international success in the late 1980s and early 1990s, capturing four Grand Slam singles titles and reaching the top of the ATP rankings. Courier, having grown up in Florida, said the Florida Tennis Association, now known as USTA Florida, helped him get involved with the sport at a young age.
“When I grew up in Florida, tennis was a burgeoning sport. A lot of people like my parents enjoyed playing. But we didn’t know that there were tournaments out there and we heard about them through the Florida Tennis Association yearbook,” he recalled. “It would have a list of tournaments on there with phone numbers and addresses and you would call, send in your check, and that’s how you would get into junior tournaments.”
His foundation in Florida tennis helped him become No. 1 in the world. He was known and known for his powerful baseline game and relentless work ethic. Courier’s competitive spirit and mental toughness propelled him to the top of the tennis world, earning him a special place in Florida pro tennis history. He was awarded the USTA Florida Hall of Fame Award in 1999, along with Mary Joe Fernandez and Kathy Rinaldi. After his retirement from the sport, he also gave back to the future generation through his role as US Davis Cup Captain from 2010 to 2018.
Kathy Rinaldi, hailing from Stuart, Florida, made her mark in the tennis world as a young prodigy. She turned professional at 14, in 1981 and became the youngest player to win a match at Wimbledon, which stood for nearly 10 years. Following a successful playing career, reaching World No. 7 and winning three titles, she became a prominent coach. She was named the Captain of the United States Fed Cup team and served in that role for nearly a decade. She claims Florida as a perfect place to develop your game.
“If you can train in Florida, you can train anywhere,” she said. “It’s the people, the passion of the sport that lives in Florida at every level, starting at the grassroots all the way to people I know that have played till they’re 100 years old. It’s that passion, being in sunny Florida, playing tennis, I love it.”
One of the greatest tennis players to ever play the sport, Chris Evert, was born and raised in South Florida. With 18 Grand Slam singles titles, three more in doubles, and 189 overall titles, Evert’s impact on the sport transcended generations, especially for women in the sport. Chris wasn’t the only Evert to make an impact on Florida tennis, but her whole family played a key role in shaping Florida tennis to be what it is today and inspiring generations of players. Chris’s father, Jimmy was a prominent coach in Florida and her siblings John, Jeanne and Clare all played tennis and won titles at the prestigious Junior Orange Bowl.
Brian Gottfried, a Miami Beach native, carved out a successful career as both a player and a coach. With 25 singles titles and 54 doubles titles to his name, Gottfried’s versatile game earned him accolades on the ATP tour and beyond. As a coach, he has mentored some of the sport’s brightest talents at the Bollettieri Tennis Program in Bradenton. Gottfried was induced into the USTA Florida Hall of Fame in 1985.
Mardy Fish enjoyed a successful career on the ATP tour, earning six singles titles and reaching a career-high ranking of World No. 7. Being in Florida was a huge asset for him as he always had good people to train against. “The section of Florida is by far the best of any in the country, in terms of competition,” he said. This year, he had the courts he and his sister played on in Vero Beach, Florida dedicated in his name at Riverside Racquet Complex. He continues to give back to the community that gave so much to him, through his Children’s Foundation. Fish was inducted into the USTA Florida Hall of Fame this year for his playing accomplishments and his contributions to Florida tennis.
At the 2024 Miami Open, local artist, SURGE, created a mural honoring the legacies of past Florida champions Serena, Fernandez, Evert, Fish, Courier, and Roddick. Collectively, these tennis legends along with many more who have come through Florida have paved the way for future generations to come.
