A look back at USTA Florida's 75th Anniversary last year

2024 marked a monumental milestone for USTA Florida as the organization celebrated 75 years of promoting tennis, inclusivity, and community development across the state. Through a series of six regional events, a lineup of notable honorees, and impactful new initiatives, the anniversary year highlighted USTA Florida’s legacy while setting the stage for its future.  

Regional Events

The first event in the 75th Anniversary series took place at Vero Beach’s Riverside Racquet Club, where a court was dedicated to tennis legend Mardy Fish. Fish, a Vero Beach native and former world-class player, who was also inducted into the USTA Florida Hall of Fame. The celebration included the launch of the Florida Tennis Trail, a unique project designed to connect tennis enthusiasts with historic tennis sites across Florida. 

In Miami, USTA Florida honored the rich history of tennis in the Sunshine State. The highlight was the induction of longtime volunteer and advocate Susan Allshouse into the Hall of Fame. Tennis legend Mary Joe Fernandez joined the celebration, bringing her star power and sharing reflections on Florida’s contribution to the sport and how it shaped her career. 

Referred to as “Sunshine City,” the Orlando celebration showcased leadership and community. Hall of Fame inductee Robert Hollis was recognized for his lasting impact on Florida tennis, while attendees enjoyed insights on leadership and innovation from special guest and author Safi Bahcall. The evening concluded with a party featuring KC and the Sunshine Band, creating an electric atmosphere to energize  the community around pushing the game forward.  

The Jacksonville event had an emotional highlight as USTA Florida surprised former pro MaliVai Washington with his Hall of Fame induction. The celebration also honored the MaliVai Washington Youth Tennis Foundation, which has transformed countless young lives through tennis and education. Additionally, Edward Waters University received the organization’s first-ever HBCU Tennis Program Support Grant, reinforcing USTA Florida’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. 

Tampa’s event celebrated forward-thinking leadership, welcoming the 2025-2026 USTA Florida Board of Directors. Special guest Allistair McCaw, a best-selling author and performance coach, inspired attendees with a talk about resilience, innovation, and growth. The event underscored USTA Florida’s mission to ensure tennis remains vibrant for generations to come.

The final celebration in Tallahassee was a showcase of milestones. Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis presented a proclamation recognizing USTA Florida’s 75 years of service. The event also marked the unveiling of the organization’s first-ever Economic Impact Report, which revealed that tennis contributes an impressive $145.9 million annually to Florida’s economy. Advocacy leaders from around the state gathered to share insights and strategies to grow the game, as this event marked the official launch of USTA Florida’s Advocacy initiative. Finally, Florida A&M University (FAMU) was awarded USTA Florida’s second-ever HBCU Tennis Program Support Grant, worth $100,000, to enhance student-athlete opportunities and expand community tennis programs. 

Award Winners

As part of its celebrations, USTA Florida honored individuals, families, and organizations whose contributions have shaped Florida’s tennis community:  

• Marcelo Gouts – Merit Award 
• The David Ensignia Family – Family of the Year 
• Fort King Tennis Center – Organization of the Year 
• Mary Conaway – Outstanding Section Volunteer 
• City of Palm Beach Gardens Tennis & Pickleball Center – Outstanding Diversity Achievement 
• Jim Martz – Jim Martz Media Excellence Award 
• Claire Shao & Jack Satterfield – Albert Carrington Balink Award 

These awardees exemplify the spirit of tennis in Florida, showcasing leadership, inclusivity, and a passion for the sport. 

Special Edition Magazine 

To commemorate its milestone, USTA Florida released a Special Edition 75th Anniversary Florida Tennis Magazine in July/August 2024. This explored the organization’s history, celebrated iconic moments, and featured inspiring stories from players, volunteers, and coaches who have contributed to its success. 

Event Kits 

USTA Florida brought the party to everyone, by providing event kits to tennis facilities and community organizations across the state, ensuring that local celebrations resonated with the themes of the 75th Anniversary. Nearly 250 communities hosted their own 75th Anniversary Celebration events. 

Foundation Fundraiser: $75K for 75 Years 

The USTA Florida Foundation launched its “$75K for 75 Years” fundraising campaign, with a goal of raising $75,000 to support under served tennis programs across the state. Thanks to the generosity of donors, the campaign met its goal, helping expand access to tennis and fund impactful community initiatives. 

Celebrating past, present, and future

Since its founding in 1948, USTA Florida has been a trailblazer in growing the sport of tennis, advocating for inclusivity, and creating opportunities for players of all ages and skill levels. The 75th Anniversary celebration served as a testament to the organization’s enduring legacy, bringing together tennis enthusiasts, community leaders, and advocates to honor the past while building excitement for the future. 

From the launch of the Florida Tennis Trail in Vero Beach to the groundbreaking Economic Impact Report revealed in Tallahassee, the year was filled with moments that underscored USTA Florida’s commitment to making tennis more accessible, impactful, and inclusive for all. 

As USTA Florida looks toward the next 75 years, the organization remains dedicated to advancing the game of tennis and ensuring its positive impact continues to grow. From everyone at USTA Florida, we want to say thank you for making the 75th year so special and here’s to a future filled with even more milestones, champions, and community excellence! 

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Written by: Jaret Kappelman, Marketing & Communications Coordinator for USTA Florida. Be sure to check out USTA Florida, the governing body of amateur tennis in Florida, offering tennis programs for all ages and ability levels. Photos and video courtesy of USTA Florida.