USTA Florida Leads Nation as Seven Florida Tennis Facilities Honored with 2026 USTA Outstanding Facility Awards

September 2nd, 2026

Awards and Recognition General Public Parks Public Park Support
USTA Florida Leads Nation as Seven Florida Tennis Facilities Honored with 2026 USTA Outstanding Facility Awards

The USTA has announced the winners of its 2026 Outstanding Facility Awards, recognizing excellence in tennis facility construction and renovation across the country. Among the 41 honorees, seven standout facilities from Florida earned national recognition, more than any other state in the country. All winners were celebrated at an awards reception held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York on Monday, August 31, during the 2026 US Open. 

“Facilities like these are the foundation of tennis in America. Their commitment to creating welcoming, inclusive opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to experience the sport exemplifies what it means to grow the game at the grassroots level,” said Theodore Loehrke, Managing Director, Head of Section Partnerships, USTA. “Their work is helping to ensure tennis continues to thrive in their community.” 

Facilities were judged on criteria including overall layout and adaptation to site, court surface and lighting, ease of maintenance, accommodations for players and spectators, aesthetics, signage and landscaping, amenities, and participation in grassroots tennis programs. Nominated facilities were evaluated across categories including public and private centers, educational institutions, and innovation. All 2026 award winners will receive a wall plaque and an all-weather sign, which can be mounted at the facility. 

Here are Florida’s 2026 award-winning facilities: 

Public Courts: Large Tennis Centers   

The Jimmy Evert Tennis Center (Fort Lauderdale) 

Long known as the “Home of Champions,” the Jimmy Evert Tennis Center at Holiday Park reopened in December 2025 following a yearlong, $9.5 million renovation delivered through a partnership between the City of Fort Lauderdale, the Orange Bowl and the USTA. The project rebuilt all 20 clay courts with a modern sub-surface irrigation system and added a 700-seat stadium court named for Chris Evert, who trained there as a child, along with LED lighting, new shade structures, benches, chilled fountains and renovated restrooms. The facility is now the home of the Orange Bowl International Tennis Championships and continues to serve players of every age and level. 

Wellington Tennis Center (Wellington) 

One of the premier public facilities in Palm Beach County, the Wellington Tennis Center offers self-irrigated Har-Tru clay courts and hard courts alongside a pro shop and a covered rooftop balcony. The Village of Wellington unveiled six new courts in May 2026, a project supported in part by a $200,000 grant from the Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program and one of the most significant public tennis investments in the county in recent years. The center is led by Director of Tennis and USTA Florida President Chuck Gill. 

Small Private Facilities   

Doral Park Country Club (Doral) 

Doral Park Country Club offers 11 lighted courts, including seven clay courts, in a welcoming club setting in the heart of Doral. With a full slate of lessons, clinics and court reservations available to members, the club has built a steady tennis community in one of Miami-Dade County’s fastest-growing cities. 

Large Private Facilities   

Midtown Athletic Club (Weston) 

Midtown Athletic Club is home to 25 outdoor courts spanning red clay, Har-Tru clay and hard court surfaces, plus four pickleball courts, all lighted for evening play. The club offers one of the most comprehensive tennis programs in South Florida, from beginner fast-track sessions and cardio tennis to junior development and competitive leagues, and the USTA has recognized Midtown for its work adapting to the developmental needs of young players. 

The Courts, Cape Coral (Cape Coral) 

A city-owned, privately operated venue, The Courts, Cape Coral features 12 tennis courts alongside 32 pickleball courts and a pro shop, with capacity to host more than 1,000 tournament participants. The facility, formerly the Lake Kennedy Racquet Center, was rebranded and celebrated its grand opening in February 2025 and has quickly become a racquet sports destination for Southwest Florida, drawing thousands of memberships and regional and national events. 

Educational Institutions   

FGCU Tennis Complex (Fort Myers) 

The FGCU Tennis Complex features 12 lighted courts with courtside bleachers and serves as home to the Florida Gulf Coast University men’s and women’s tennis programs. Ahead of the 2026 season, a USTA grant made possible through a collaboration among FGCU Athletics, the USTA and USTA Florida resurfaced all 12 courts in time for the university to host the 2026 ASUN Tennis Championships. The courts are also open for public use when the Eagles teams are not competing, extending the benefit to students and the surrounding community. 

Rollins Tennis & Golf Center (Winter Park) 

Rollins College opened its new Tennis & Golf Center in October 2025, a nearly 10,000-square-foot, $10 million facility at the center of campus featuring six new courts, golf simulators, locker rooms, coaches’ offices, a clubhouse, spectator areas and a players’ lounge overlooking the courts. The center replaced a complex dedicated in 1989 and gives the Tars a modern home for both programs.