Many people think tennis is just an individual sport, but USTA Florida has proven it’s far more than that.
For starters, Adult Leagues absolutely boomed in 2022. Player participation has been through the roof, with each sectional event being packed with teams and players from across the state. As an outcome of record participation and high-level competing, USTA Florida also had three National Champions.
The Florida section came in first place in the Mixed 40 & Over 9.0 League National Championship.
Miami-Dade County won in the Men’s 4.5 40 and over division, Orange County took it home in the Women’s 55 and over 9.0 division, and Hillsborough County dominated in the Mixed 40 and over 9.0 division.
Overall team tennis in the adult space had a great 2022 and USTA Florida Adult Tennis Director, Christine Ducey loves to see the program grow beyond expectation. “We had an increase in Adult Leagues participation of 14% over our previous best year in 2019, and 20% growth year over year from 2021,” she said. “We hope to continue connecting new adult players to tennis in our Florida programs as they can provide a healthy, fun alternative to other fitness options.”
USTA Florida has also relaunched Tennis on Campus (TOC), after taking a hiatus due to Covid-19. College clubs from across the state have been battling throughout the past few months to earn points in the Championship Series.
Tennis on Campus has been very successful in 2022.
USTA Florida TOC Coordinator, Dylan McDonald was thrilled to see everyone on the court and enjoying the competitive atmosphere. “It makes me so happy to see the program back in action and thriving,” he said.
In junior tennis, USTA Florida was excited to bring Junior Team Tennis (JTT) to even more counties in the state. The program is now being served in over 18 different counties.
The JTT State Championship saw over 150 players and 30 teams in attendance.
USTA Florida Youth Team Play Manager, Liz Spicer said her expectations have been shattered with the turnout of the program and loves to see JTT growing. “Every season we are getting more and more junior players, which puts a smile on my face, knowing that we are giving so many young kids an opportunity to play this wonderful sport.”
While 2022 was extremely successful, USTA Florida is ready to keep our foot on the gas and provide more team play opportunities for all ages, as tennis is far more than an individual sport.
