USTA Florida & Love Serving Autism to Host Free Tennis Workshop at Crandon Park Tennis Center

USTA Florida is partnering with Love Serving Autism to host a free tennis workshop at the Crandon Park Tennis Center on Key Biscayne on Saturday, August 15. The event is designed to equip coaches with the skills to successfully introduce tennis to individuals with autism and unique abilities, followed by a hands-on clinic where coaches can put their training into practice and children with autism and unique abilities can experience tennis. 

The morning begins with a coach’s training session, open to all coaches, volunteers, players, anyone who wants to get involved. No prior tennis ability is needed. Participants will learn effective strategies for teaching tennis to individuals with autism, adaptive coaching methods, and lesson modifications. RSPA and PTR educational coaching credits are offered, and high school students can earn volunteer hours, and you can sign up here. 

Following the training, coaches will transition into a tennis clinic for individuals with autism and unique abilities aged 5 to 25. All tennis ability levels are welcome, and the clinic provides a fun, inclusive environment for young athletes to experience the sport. You can sign up here. 

“Love Serving Autism is honored to partner with USTA Florida on this coach training initiative for adaptive tennis at Crandon Park in Key Biscayne,” said Lisa Pugliese-LaCroix, Love Serving Autism Founder. “Together, we’re equipping coaches with the tools and understanding needed to deliver therapeutic racquet sports instruction to children with autism and unique abilities. Every session is a chance to build confidence, connection, and joy on the court, and we’re excited to see the lasting impact this program will have on these athletes and their families for years to come.” 

“Many coaches are surprised to learn that adaptive tennis coaching requires the same core skills they already use every day: communication, flexibility, creativity, and a player-centered approach,” said Lori Burdell, Director of Provider Development & Support. “Coaching athletes with autism or other disabilities may be new, but the fundamentals remain the same. Through programs like Love Serving Autism, coaches can expand access to tennis and experience some of the most fulfilling moments of their coaching journey.” 

The workshop is part of USTA Florida’s broader commitment to growing adaptive tennis across the state and ensuring the sport is accessible to everyone. By training coaches at the community level, USTA Florida and Love Serving Autism are building a foundation of knowledgeable, confident instructors who can bring inclusive tennis programming to facilities and communities throughout Florida. 

The Crandon Park Tennis Center, a USTA Florida-operated facility and the former home of the Miami Open, provides a world-class setting for this initiative as it continues to expand its community programming.