As we bid farewell to 2023, it’s time to reflect on the remarkable strides made by USTA Florida, a year defined by inclusivity, innovation, and commitment to the community. From empowering women in tennis across the state to embracing innovation for the sport, the organization has is proud of the progress tennis in Florida has seen in the last year. Let’s dive into the highlights that have shaped this extraordinary year.
Empowering Women in Tennis: Four All-Girls Tennis Camps, Research, & Beyond
USTA Florida is dedicated to empowering Women in Tennis. Throughout the year, the organization hosted four All-Girls Tennis Camps, creating a supportive environment for female players to hone their skills. These camps not only created a sense of sisterhood but also laid the foundation for a more inclusive and diverse tennis community.
Across the four camps, there were a total of 131 girls participating in the camps, ranging from 6 to 18 years old, and of all skill levels. They took place at Delray Beach, during the Billie Jean King Qualifier, at the University of North Florida, IMG Academy, and the USTA National Campus.
USTA Florida hosted 4 All-Girl camps in 2023.
Furthermore, USTA Florida collaborated with Clarity Writing and Research to dive into the present landscape of women and girls in tennis. The objective was to explore methods through which USTA Florida’s Women in Tennis initiative could propel gender equity in the sport. Clarity conducted contextual research, examined existing data from both internal and external sources, and assembled a collection of best practices and promising approaches for advancing equity.
“Women represent roughly 51 percent of the Florida population. In 2022 they accounted for 39 percent of its tennis players, a decrease from 41 percent in 2020,” the report said. “The USTA Florida Women in Tennis initiative’s mission is to increase women and girls’ participation as players, coaches, and industry leaders in Florida tennis. Their vision is to advance gender equity in tennis by being a model DEI organization that builds women and girls’ skill and will to participate in tennis and creates opportunities for them to participate in all roles in the tennis ecosystem.”
USTA Florida’s Women Speaker training, All-Women Coaching Trainings, and the all-girls camps have made a significant impact in 2023. Growth is happening in the right direction, and the organization is thrilled to see that trend continue in 2024.
Innovative Tech on the Courts: USTA Florida’s Exciting Partnership with SwingVision
Embracing the future of tennis, USTA Florida signed a groundbreaking partnership with SwingVision, bringing cutting-edge technology to the courts. This collaboration will not only elevate the playing experience, but also shows USTA Florida’s commitment to innovation in the tennis world.
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SwingVision uses artificial intelligence to analyze your video in real-time on just a single smartphone. Built by A.I. experts from Tesla and Apple and backed by investors Andy Roddick and James Blake, SwingVision is a great way to track, review and improve your game. This technology will allow you to track your shot placement & ball speed, watch a 2-hour match in 30 minutes, create highlights of your best points, and even challenge line calls with an Apple watch, just like the pros!
Head of Pro Player Relations at SwingVision, George Opelka, is ecstatic to partner with the section and help spur innovation in the way players and coaches can improve their tennis game. “Tennis is ready for innovation, and we need to modernize in order to grow the sport,” he said. “SwingVision works with matches, drills, and even hitting targets with the ball machine. When you’re done – Swingvision makes it easy to cast and watch your session on your TV and even share the condensed match with your coach!”
USTA Florida members can get a special discount on the SwingVision Pro Yearly & SwingStick bundle that includes unlimited shot tracking, video analysis & cloud storage for life! With every purchase, SwingVision will make a donation to the USTA Florida Foundation.
Wheelchair Play Expansion: USTA Florida Joins Forces with Brooks Rehab and Love to ROLL
To help create more inclusivity in the sport, USTA Florida joined hands with Brooks Rehab, launched its Love to Roll program, and more to expand wheelchair tennis opportunities.
During National Tennis month, USTA Florida’s community department hosted its first ever Tennis For All day, with Brooks Rehab. There over 30 athletes, all of varied physical and cognitive disabilities, were introduced to the game of tennis. USTA Florida plans to host more Tennis For All events at Brooks Rehab facility locations around the state in 2024.
USTA Florida has hosted a handful of Love to Roll classes, teaching people the basics of wheelchair tennis from volleying to serving. Additionally, USTA Florida hosted the Roller Classic in December, seeing more than 15 wheelchair tennis players coming out for a day of competitive fun.
The collaboration with Brooks Rehab and USTA Florida’s continued drive to grow wheelchair tennis goes beyond the boundaries of the tennis court. The organization is determined to break down barriers for wheelchair players and create a platform for them to showcase their talent.
USTA Florida also launched a brand-new Community Coach Wheelchair training in 2023. Lori Burdell, the project team lead started to bring wheelchairs to the other Community Coach trainings, and it quickly became a hot topic. “Participants were more excited about getting in a chair and trying to hit a ball. I noticed that once they got in the chair across the board, everyone said how humbling the experience was to play tennis in a wheelchair,” Burdell said.
The program has hosted six specific wheelchair trainings, with over 45 participants learning the fundamentals of wheelchair tennis and drills to improve players’ skills when they are coaching them.
Love to Compete: Opening Doors for New Adult Players
In a bid to encourage more adults to embrace the thrill of tennis, USTA Florida introduced the Love to Compete program. This program aims to provide entry-level tournament opportunities for new adult players, fostering a sense of accomplishment and camaraderie on the court.
Love to Compete serves as a bridge, inviting players to take their love for tennis to the next level. By creating a supportive environment for entry-level tournaments, USTA Florida is not only improving the playing experience but also strengthening the tennis community by welcoming newcomers with open arms.
AMPLIFY Plan Expansion: Engaging HBCUs, Coaches, and Community Partners
In 2023, USTA Florida amplified its efforts to engage with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), coaches, and new community partners through an expanded AMPLIFY plan. Amplify is USTA Florida’s long-term initiative to engage and amplify Black voices throughout the Florida tennis community. Through open discussion and outreach, this initiative seeks to advance racial equality in tennis.
The expanded AMPLIFY plan reflects USTA Florida’s commitment to creating a more equitable and accessible tennis environment. In a commitment to push technology and to support HBCUs, USTA Florida sponsored Edward Waters University, in Jacksonville, giving the brand-new tennis program access to SwingVision.
All in all, USTA Florida’s 2023 journey has been marked by a commitment to inclusivity, innovation, and community engagement. From empowering women and expanding wheelchair play to embracing technological advancements and fostering a love for competition, USTA Florida’s impact on the tennis landscape goes beyond the court. As we look forward to the coming year, the organization’s unwavering dedication to the sport promises even greater strides and exciting possibilities for tennis enthusiasts across Florida.
