Tennis in Florida runs on dedication. It lives in the volunteers who give their weekends, the coaches who build confidence one practice at a time, and the public courts where so many players pick up a racquet for the first time. The 2026 USTA Florida Awards are our way of saying thank you to the people and places that make the game stronger, more welcoming, and more accessible for everyone.
This year we are recognizing excellence across three awards.
Questions? Contact Meika Ashby at ashby@ustaflorida.com.
Public parks are where tennis becomes a game for everyone. They are the courts down the street, the after-school clinics, the summer camps, and the people who keep the nets up and the gate open. The USTA Florida Public Parks Award honors a public parks and recreation facility, program, director, or volunteer that has made tennis more welcoming, more affordable, and more alive in their community. It celebrates the places and people who turn a few courts into a gathering spot, who clear the path between a kid and their first rally, and who show how tennis can lift the health, energy, and connection of a whole neighborhood.
Great coaches do more than teach a forehand. They show up early, stay late, and notice the player who needs a little extra belief. The USTA Florida Community Coach of the Year Award honors a coach, paid or volunteer, whose impact reaches well beyond the baseline. This is the coach who builds confidence along with skill, who makes every player feel they belong on the court, and who helps a community grow stronger one practice at a time. Through mentorship, sportsmanship, and steady dedication to the game, they remind us that the best coaching changes lives, not just scores.
Some volunteers give so much, so consistently, and for so long that the game itself is better for it. The USTA Florida Excellence in Service Award is one of the section’s highest honors. It recognizes a volunteer whose leadership, generosity, and love for tennis have left a lasting mark on USTA Florida and the communities it serves. Whether chairing a committee, guiding a project team, or quietly mentoring the next wave of volunteers, this person leads by example and lifts everyone around them. They are, in every sense, an ambassador for the sport and for the spirit of giving back.
Know someone who deserves to be celebrated? Nominations are open to USTA Florida staff, volunteers, committee members, and community partners. Each award has its own short application, and you can nominate someone in more than one category if they fit. Take a few minutes to tell us their story.
NOW OPEN
Nominations will be accepted for the service awards during the date range below:
June 17 until July 15th
Award Categories
Media Excellence
Outstanding Diversity Achievement
Outstanding Section Volunteer
To learn more about each Award Category visit: CLICK HERE
Nominations are CLOSED
This annual award recognizes a USPTA Professional who supports and is a member of both USTA Florida and USPTA Florida. This individual promotes both organizations through leadership and vision in their community and/or throughout the state.
TIMETABLE
Feb 1 – Nominations Open
Feb 28th – Nominations Close
Click the button below to find out more about the various awards & recipients USTA Florida has given to individuals, families, and organizations through the years.
USTA Florida is thankful for all of the wonderful volunteers who help make our mission of promoting and developing tennis for all possible. Each month we recognize a volunteer who has gone above and beyond. We welcome your nomination of a USTA Florida Volunteer for Volunteer of the Month. Maybe it’s a new volunteer or someone who has been around for a long time. It’s simple to nominate someone for this recognition. Simply click the button below to fill out our online form.
