A New Chapter for Tennis: USTA Florida Brings Crandon Park Back to Life
For years, Crandon Park stood as one of Florida’s most celebrated tennis destinations; a place where champions trained, families gathered, and the love of the sport flourished. On January 16, USTA Florida officially began operations at Crandon Park, restoring full operating hours. expanding support for daily play, and marking an exciting new chapter for one of Florida’s most iconic tennis venues.
Opening week was a success, with players, families, and longtime supporters returning to the courts and taking advantage of the increased hours, as well as newcomers feeling the renewed energy throughout the facility. From the moment the courts opened, there was a noticeable sense of excitement in the air. Many players shared how refreshing it felt to have restored hours and on-site support, experiencing both familiar surroundings and positive changes. USTA Florida is committed to keeping the community informed as operations continue to grow, and the message is clear: community tennis at Crandon Park will be even stronger.
A dedicated player at the facility, James Hawkins, is thrilled that Crandon Park has fully restored hours after being extremely loyal to the facility for years. “I’ve been playing here for 30 years and organizing a tennis group here since 2015,” he said. “I’ve always loved the facility, and I’m really looking forward to what USTA Florida will do here.”
Operating Hours Restored and the Community Is Responding
With operating hours fully restored, the spotlight was on community play. Demand was high, with all 22 playable courts booked evenings and on both Saturday and Sunday. This past weekend, local youth came out for a small birthday-party tournament with music, pizza and tennis.
Local high schools filled the courts during the afternoons with tryouts for the upcoming season. Coaches from Mast Academy and Ransom High School were clamoring for additional courts to accommodate the large number of students vying for spots on the teams. Adult Leagues also came out to compete in the evenings and held weekend practices.
“It’s been phenomenal to see how much local play is happening here,” said Laura Bowen, executive director of USTA Florida. “The response from the community has been incredible. We could easily fill more courts.”
Next Stop Programming
USTA Florida is offering junior classes, adult clinics and lessons throughout the week. Early sessions have been filled with energy and smiles as players take their first steps on the court—or continue building on skills they’ve been honing for years.
New players have also found a warm welcome on the courts with the low-cost Love To Learn program. It is designed for beginners looking to gain confidence and learn the fundamentals.
With new coaches coming on staff in early February, additional programs and lessons will be offered every day. USTA Florida is eager to hear feedback on current programming and welcomes input on what players would like to see in the coming months. Reach out to us here.
