USTA Florida Pros and Historic Mural at 2024 Miami Open
USTA Florida
by Jaret Kappelman
2d ago
For the pro tennis scene, March is a special month for Florida, as the highest-level professional tournament in the state, the Miami Open, takes place at Hard Rock Stadium from March 17 to March 31. While some of the top tennis players in the world will be battling it out, USTA Florida will be commemorating their 75th year as an organization in a special way.  USTA Florida has teamed up with local graffiti artist, Sergio Quinonez, also known as “SURGE” to create a mural that will be the centerpiece of the Sunset Terrace Triangle. This mural not only pops out to catch the attention of spe ..read more
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Celebrating Women’s History Month: Generations of Tennis Excellence
USTA Florida
by Guest Author
4d ago
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. This article was written by Brooke Davidson, a member of the USTA Florida community. Stars were Aligned: Florida Family Continues USTA Nationals Legacy with Third Generation of Champs  A woman with a slicked-back, blonde ponytail stands next to her smiling teammates, a yellow stain in the corner of the photograph that captures this moment not enough to dampen this moment. This wa ..read more
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USTA Florida Honors Past and Women Leaders of the Game
USTA Florida
by Jaret Kappelman
6d ago
ORLANDO, FLA., MAR 11, 2024 – USTA Florida kicked off a series of 75th Anniversary Celebrations on Thursday by honoring its roots in Miami and paying homage to the many legendary players and volunteers who have helped make the Sunshine State the gold standard for tennis.  More than 100 Florida tennis supporters convened at the Biltmore Hotel in Miami, which serves as a key stop on the Florida Tennis Trail.  Mary Joe Fernandez was the guest of honor for the event, which also served as a tribute to past leaders and commemorated the induction of longtime volunteer Susan Allshouse into ..read more
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USTA Florida Reveals Women in Tennis Research, Expands Women in Tennis Initiative 
USTA Florida
by Jaret Kappelman
1w ago
Key Highlights  USTA Florida celebrated International Women’s Day by honoring three female leaders at Palmetto Bay in Miami-Dade County and renewed its commitment to closing the gender gap in Florida tennis.  New independent research shows that men are far more represented in sports leadership positions and girls are receiving less encouragement and opportunities in the sports industry.  Of the more than 1.6 million tennis players in Florida, women make up 39 percent of players. On the coaching side, only 25 percent of certified coaches are women.  USTA Florida is expandi ..read more
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Eight Pairs Earn Golden Tickets NTRP Mixed Doubles Sectional Championships
USTA Florida
by Jaret Kappelman
1w ago
The Racquet Club of Cocoa Beach played host to the NTRP 18 & Over Mixed Doubles Sectional Championship. Duos were battling it out all weekend long for a spot at the NTRP National Championships later in April.  This sectional used the short set format, meaning it was a race to win four games in a set. If tied after two sets, the teams would compete in a 7-point tiebreaker. Each team participated in a round-robin, with the divisions that had more than four teams having a playoff bracket with top pairs advancing.   There were four divisions in play, with 24 teams taking the courts ..read more
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USTA Florida Invites Everyone to Join Community Coach Trainings
USTA Florida
by Jaret Kappelman
2w ago
The 2024 USTA Florida Community Coach Program is set to lead the charge for future tennis coaches across the state with a diverse range of training opportunities. Entering its fourth year, these trainings are designed for various ages and skill levels. This year's program features more than six different trainings designed to enhance coaching techniques and promote inclusivity within the tennis community.  "The community coach program is one of the most exciting, and important initiatives we have started during my years of involvement with the USTA Florida section,” USTA Florida Pre ..read more
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Marion County’s Drae Centonze named USTA Florida Tennis Volunteer of the Month
USTA Florida
by Jaret Kappelman
2w ago
Volunteers are the most crucial part of making USTA Florida the best section it can be and for February’s Volunteer of the Month Drae Centonze, age is just a number as the youngster is determined to make tennis run as smoothly as possible.   Hailing from Marion County, Drae has been involved with tennis ever since he was 10 years old. “My earliest memory was making clean contact with the ball for the first time and the excitement that brought to me,” he said. “I knew right then and there that tennis was going to be my sport for life.”  Drae has stuck to that commitment, dedicating ..read more
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University of Florida & University of Miami Lock Spots at Tennis on Campus Nationals
USTA Florida
by Jaret Kappelman
2w ago
USTA Florida welcomed college tennis clubs from across the state as the Tennis on Campus Sectional Championship was held, with bids for Nationals on the line. The USTA National Campus hosted 8 unique schools, with 20 teams, and 153 student-athletes.  A lot was on the line as only the top two finishers from the event would earn a spot at the National Championships. To decide a winner, the teams were broken into five groups, where each played in a round robin. The final group standings were used to determine the bracket for the Sectional crown.   The competition was fierce all weeken ..read more
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Celebrating Black History Month: Rochelle “Coach Nikki” Houston
USTA Florida
by Jaret Kappelman
3w ago
Tennis is a lifelong sport, and for Rochelle “Coach Nikki” Houston, the first time she picked up a racquet her life changed. That moment came when she was just three years old, and it turned into a lifetime of success and positive impact.  Coach Nikki’s Tennis Journey  “The story goes that my mom was in a tennis class and my dad saw her and joined the class so he could meet her,” she said. “Six months later they got married. My dad took tennis a step further and became a certified professional tennis coach with PTR.” Her mom would then introduce her to the sport and her dad became h ..read more
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USTA Florida 2024 JTT Season is Underway with Nearly 3,000 Athletes
USTA Florida
by Jaret Kappelman
3w ago
The tennis courts across Florida are buzzing with anticipation as the 2024 Junior Team Tennis (JTT) Spring season prepares to be kicked off around the state. With enthusiastic young players ready to showcase their skills and sportsmanship, this promises to be an exciting season filled with thrilling matches and unforgettable moments.  Junior Team Tennis is a beloved program in Florida, providing aspiring young athletes with the opportunity to compete in a team environment while honing their tennis skills. From beginners to seasoned players, participants of all levels come together to rep ..read more
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