USTA Florida Committed to Supporting Growth of Adaptive Tennis

July is National Disability Month and USTA Florida is heavily involved in the adaptive tennis space. USTA Florida is proud to work with, support, and grow adaptive tennis throughout the state.  

With the support of USTA Florida, the SportsAbility Alliance’s Miracle Sports Tennis hosted an event in Tallahassee with a record number of participants. 47 people, consisting of children and adults, came out for a day of tennis fun. SportsAbility Alliance hosts tennis events every July for adaptive players, so they have the opportunity to enjoy the game we all love. This event takes place every Thursday throughout the month of July. Those interested in getting involved can learn more on their website. 

The SportsAbility Alliance’s Miracle Sports Tennis happens each Thursday in July.

Will Speed, USTA Florida’s Adaptive Play Coordinator, encourages people to aid adaptive tennis and encourage adaptive players to come out and try tennis. “Supporting Adaptive tennis is important because tennis is the most inclusive sport in the world,” he said. “The game can be played by anybody regardless of abilities with minimal changes to the game. Everyone deserves the opportunity to live life through sport and recreation.” 

USTA Florida is also hosting an Adaptive Unified Doubles National Qualifier on August 26 and 27. This will take place at Lake Cane Tennis Center, with two spots up for grabs in the USTA National Adaptive Tournament later in 2023. It’s free to register, but it closes on August 23 with spots filling up fast.  

In Jacksonville, USTA Florida helped launch the first youth wheelchair tennis program in the city. USTA Florida helped train coaches and provide some equipment to jump start the program. Its first class back in April saw seven participants come out and start building on their skillsets.  

USTA Florida helped start Youth Wheelchair tennis in Jacksonville.

During National Tennis month, USTA Florida’s community department hosted its first ever Tennis For All day, with Brooks Rehab. There over 30 athletes, all of varied physical and cognitive disabilities, were introduced to the game of tennis. USTA Florida plans to host more Tennis For All events at Brooks Rehab facility locations around the state in the future. 

USTA Florida is proud of the work it does with partner organizations such as Special Olympics, ACEing Autism, Buddy Up, Love Serving Autism, and others to promote tennis for all.  

To learn more about adaptive tennis and how to get involved, whether as a player or volunteer, visit ustaflorida.com/adaptivetennis.