USTA Florida Hosts Women in Tennis Event at Crandon Park Tennis Center

In honor of Women’s History Month, USTA Florida hosted a Women in Tennis play session on Saturday morning at the Crandon Park Tennis Center as part of its Women in Tennis initiative, drawing more than 30 women to the facility for a morning of on court fun and community building. 

The event marked the first Women in Tennis activation that USTA Florida has hosted at Crandon Park Tennis Center since the organization began operations at the facility in January 2026. Held during a month dedicated to honoring women’s contributions across every field, the session ran for two hours on Saturday and was led by women trainers and coaches who invited women of all backgrounds to step. 

The Women in Tennis Day of fun is designed to give women across the court a safe space where they feel included and welcomed in the sport regardless of age, skill, or ability. 

“Crandon Park Tennis Center is a place with such rich history in our sport, and there’s something special about empowering women to step into tennis at a venue that has hosted the some of the biggest names in Women tennis history,” said Lori Burdell, USTA Florida Director of Provider Development & Support. “When women see other women leading on the court, it changes the dynamic and opens the door for so many more players, especially women, to feel welcome in this sport.”

Women’s History Month is a time to reflect on the trailblazers who shaped the sport, from Billie Jean King’s fight for equality to the generations of women coaches and players who have quietly transformed communities through tennis. Saturday’s session was a direct continuation of that legacy, giving women the tools and confidence to play on public courts across Florida. 

“Women were supporting out there today. Nobody was saying ‘I’m better than you, so I need to go on the other court’. We were all just excited to play tennis and hit the ball,” USTA Florida Board Director at Large, Meika Ashby said. “That is something that we need more of from providers, whether you’re a coach, play facilitator, or you’re just somebody looking to volunteer; we need more people to be accepting of the ‘let’s get people to play, let’s use two bounces, let’s use the orange ball, let’s get out there and fill our courts with people who are having a good time.'”

The event took place during Miami Open week, and Crandon Park Tennis Center, the former home of the Miami Open. Saturday’s event was a milestone moment in empowering women and brining USTA Florida initiatives to the facility. 

For more information about USTA Florida programs and upcoming events for women, visit ustaflorida.com/women-in-tennis.