The 2026 Florida Tennis Summit opened Saturday morning with a clear message to the room: the sport is growing, Florida is at the center of it, and the next chapter depends on everyone in the tennis community moving together.
Director Ejecutivo de la USTA Florida Laura Bowen welcomed attendees and framed the purpose of the weekend before introducing the session, titled “Florida as the Home for American Tennis: Turning Bold Moves into Action.”
Presidente de la USTA de Florida Chuck Gill followed with a look at the organization’s three Big Bold Moves and how each one connects directly to growing the game across the state. Best in Class Facilities and Providers focuses on investing in public courts and the coaches, play facilitators and tournament providers who deliver the experience on them. Business Insights and Analytics puts local data in the hands of advocates and decision makers so the case for tennis gets made with evidence rather than assumption. Volunteer System and Structure builds sustainable pathways for the volunteers who lead at every level.
The State of Tennis in America
The morning’s keynote came from USTA Chief Executive Officer Craig Tiley, who delivered a State of Tennis in America address and laid out his vision for the organization. Tiley spoke about where participation stands nationally, the opportunities ahead for the sport, and what he hopes to accomplish as CEO with the support of the broader tennis community.
Gill then joined Tiley and World TeamTennis Chief Executive Officer Esteban Amritraj for a roundtable discussion on professional tennis and, specifically, how to connect professional events more closely to the communities that host them. The conversation ranged across the state of the sport nationally, the USTA’s vision for the years ahead, and the role Florida plays as a destination for professional tennis and a proving ground for American players.
The throughline across the roundtable was consistent: embrace change, think bigger than incremental progress, and grow the game together rather than in silos.
Into the Breakouts
Gill closed the session by thanking the participants, and Bowen set up the breakout sessions that followed, where attendees chose between three tracks built directly on the Big Bold Moves: Empowering Volunteers, Best in Class Providers and Best in Class Facilities.
The Florida Tennis Summit continues through Sunday at Rosen Shingle Creek with additional general sessions, breakout tracks, an awards dinner and a closing advocacy session.
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