More than 30 players, families and community members gathered at the Oak Street Park Community Center in Kissimmee on Saturday, September 26, for USTA Florida’s Tennis and Cultural Community Fun Day, a celebration of the Hispanic and Latino community held during Hispanic Heritage Month.
The event brought together players of all skill levels for a day of tennis instruction, kid-friendly games and cultural connection both on and off the court. USTA Florida hosted the day in partnership with Tenis para Todos and Topspin Racquet Sports.
Hispanic Heritage Panel Discussion
A highlight of the morning was the Hispanic Heritage Panel Discussion, titled “Embracing the Impact of Hispanic and Latino Culture Through Tennis.” The conversation gave attendees a chance to hear directly from leaders in the sport about their personal journeys through tennis and the role culture has played in shaping them.
Gabriela Hansen, USTA Florida Senior Program Coordinator for adult tournaments and collegiate programs, moderated the discussion. She was joined by Mauricio Murillo, Manager of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for the USTA; Sergio Peralta, Public Park Tennis Fellow with USTA Florida; and John Lefort, Director of Tennis for the City of Kissimmee Parks and Recreation and owner of Topspin Tennis.
The panel offered a candid look at the pathways that brought each of them into the sport and the work still ahead to make tennis feel accessible to every community across Florida.
Fun for the Whole Family
Away from the panel, the day was built for families. Tennis instruction welcomed newcomers onto the court, while games and activities kept younger kids engaged throughout the morning. Check-in opened at 10:00 a.m. and the energy carried through the rest of the day.
Events like this one reflect USTA Florida’s ongoing commitment to making tennis a sport where everyone can find a place, whether they are picking up a racquet for the first time or have been playing for years.
Thank you to everyone who came out to Oak Street Park, and to Tenis para Todos and Topspin Racquet Sports for helping bring the day together.
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