November 17th, 2025
Big Bold Moves Headlines Historic First USTA Florida Summit
The 2025 USTA Florida Tennis Summit brought together leaders, coaches, volunteers, and providers from across the state for a weekend of forward-thinking conversations and powerful collaboration. Designed to challenge perspectives and inspire innovation, the Summit highlighted Florida’s role as a driving force in shaping the future of tennis.
At the heart of the event was a clear theme, “Florida Tennis: Big, Bold Moves.” From the opening discussions to the closing reflections, participants were encouraged to think beyond traditional boundaries and envision how new ideas, partnerships, and technologies can elevate the game for players of all ages and backgrounds.
Bold Moves and Shared Vision
The Big Bold Moves discussions set the tone for the Summit, inspiring attendees to reimagine the future of tennis in Florida through innovation, collaboration, and community impact. Here are the 3 Big Bold Moves:
- Best in Class Facilities & Providers (Especially Public Parks)
- Business Insights & Analytics
- Volunteer System & Structure
With these bold moves in place, this allowed for collaboration through breakout sessions, which provided attendees with opportunities to explore key areas of focus for Florida tennis. Topics included:
- Volunteer Aces & Advocacy
- Why Best in Class Public Parks Matter
- State of Florida Tennis & Utilizing Data to Grow
- Group Play to Grow the Game
- Tech Insights in Business, Coaching & Communications
- Volunteer Leadership Pathways
- Infrastructure Improvements & USTA Coaching
- Power of Data & Insights to Empower Advocacy
These sessions created spaces for discussion and collaboration among volunteers, coaches, providers, and organizational leaders. Participants shared ideas, best practices, and strategies to strengthen the game across public, private, and community-based settings.
Collaboration emerged as a central theme throughout the Summit. Attendees connected with peers from different regions and organizations, exchanging insights on volunteer engagement, facility improvements, coaching, technology, and data-driven approaches. The interactive sessions encouraged dialogue and problem-solving, ensuring that all voices, from grassroots volunteers to industry leaders, contributed to the conversation.
Donn Davis Recognized with President’s Award
Longtime USTA Florida volunteer, Donn Davis, was honored at the Summit, receiving the Edward A. Turville President’s Award.
Donn Davis is a leader and advocate for tennis in Florida, serving as Vice President of the USTA Florida Section Foundation and a former President of both the USTA Florida Foundation Board. He has been a member of the Foundation Board since 2012, helping guide its mission. Davis has also chaired key committees and served as board liaison.
USTA Florida is thankful for all of Donn’s contributions over the years and excited to see what the future brings.
Gigi Fernandez Tennis For Hope Foundation Donates to Hurricane Relief
Photo Courtesy: AJ Borromeo
Another highlight of the Summit was when two-time Olympic gold medalist and 17-time Grand Slam doubles champion Gigi Fernández, founder of Tennis For Hope, presented a $50,000 check to the USTA Florida Foundation’s Hurricane Relief Fund. Tennis For Hope was launched after Fernández’s home flooded during Hurricane Helene and raises funds to help members of the tennis community affected by natural disasters. This donation will support recovery efforts and grants to repair courts and facilities across Florida.
Powerful Women in Tennis Panel
At the USTA Florida Summit, board member Tracy Almeda-Singian led a powerful Women in Tennis panel featuring Jo Wallen, Senior Director of the USTA National Campus, Tracy Davies, General Manager of USA Tennis for the USTA; Madison Molock, a Bethune-Cookman tennis standout, and Sa’Niya, the MaliVai Washington Youth Foundation student- athlete of the year. The session explored leadership, mentorship, access, and career pathways across coaching, administration, and competition. Attendees heard diverse perspectives from different generations and backgrounds and left energized by a clear message that women of all ages and backgrounds belong in every part of the sport and can achieve anything.
The Big Bold Moves discussions emphasized the importance of working together to grow tennis in Florida. By focusing on advocacy, infrastructure, technology, and leadership pathways, participants left with concrete ideas to support programs, enhance facilities, and strengthen the statewide tennis community.
The 2025 USTA Florida Tennis Summit was more than a gathering; it was a collective movement toward a stronger, more connected future for the sport. By focusing on bold ideas, collaboration, and inclusion, USTA Florida continues to lead the way in ensuring tennis remains a game for everyone, today and for generations to come. To learn more about USTA Florida and the future of Florida Tennis, visit ustaflorida.com/advocacy.
