Faces of Florida Tennis: Greg 'Moose' DeMoustes

Greg DeMoustes, better known as “Moose” to many in the Florida tennis community, has a deep passion for tennis and growing the game. Transitioning from collegiate volleyball to tennis coaching, he became a certified professional with USPTA (now called RSPA) and PTR. Moose champions inclusivity and is a great advocate for the tennis community.  

Moose’s Devotion to Helping Others 

Tennis is a lifelong sport, and for Moose that lifelong journey began when he was just three years old. “I was tagging along with my mom as she played with friends on a regular basis,” he said. “I picked it up and never really stopped, it has always been a centric piece of my life.” 

His parents were really the ones who grew his passion for the game as he always had their support in a sport that is often played by oneself. “I think it is special that I was surrounded by loved ones who also play because sometimes tennis can be an isolating sport.” Moose has carried this passion from a child and taken it into his everyday life. 

Moose, like most kids, explored other sports, but he always found his way back to the tennis court. While he coached collegiate volleyball for a handful of years, he knew his true calling was on the tennis courts. “I decided to switch back to tennis and get certified with the United States Professional Tennis Association and Professional Tennis Registry,” he said. “It felt time to come back full circle to a sport that provides longevity and where I can further my impact.” 

He knew the benefits of tennis, whereas he felt like volleyball can have an expiration date. Moose also wanted the opportunity to make an impact on a wider range of people, as the grassroot level would allow him to help children, adults, and even the elderly. “At the grassroots, growing level, the reward of seeing it click for kids and adults alike is the best reward.” 

Growing his Role in Tennis 

Moose’s role in the tennis community is multifaceted and has grown over the past decade. Today, he is the Director of Operations at Lake Cane Tennis Center, a coach, volunteer, and graduate of the USTA Florida Leadership Academy Program. He’s a valuable leader and advocate for inclusivity.  

“I absolutely love bringing diverse groups together while creating a safe and inclusive space for them to learn, grow and become more confident,” he said. “This is something I have not always had while in the sports industry, so it’s at the forefront of my mind on how to continue to include historically marginalized groups. It is about creating love and respect.” 

Part of bringing diverse groups together and something he’s extremely proud of is organizing the “We Play for Pride” and “We Play for Pink” charity tennis tournaments, which support the LGBTQ+ community and supports breast cancer awareness, respectively. Both events were recognized by USPTA Florida, winning the Diversity Award. 

“Sometimes we get wrapped up in the weeds instead of looking at the big picture,” he said. “Having had the opportunity to create these initiatives and charity events is just the start. Bringing the community together in support of LGBTQ+, Breast Cancer Awareness with the sport we all love is truly an amazing feeling.” 

Leadership Academy and Volunteer Experiences 

Moose’s involvement in the USTA Florida Leadership Academy program further underscores his commitment to the sport. “I applied for the Leadership Academy Program to learn more about USTA Florida as a Section and the already growing initiatives that support advocacy and growth.” 

Being in the Leadership Academy has given Moose knowledge that will benefit not only himself, but the communities he will lead in the years to come. “This has offered a positive and inclusive environment in which to work alongside some of the best leaders in the game today, and for that, I am very humbled and grateful,” he said.  

At a USTA Florida 75th Anniversary regional event in Orlando on April 15, Moose presented to nearly 300 people talking about his experience in the Leadership Academy and an experiment that he, and other people in the program, worked on. His group’s experiment was focused on seeing how the app SwingVision can help promote sportsmanship in tennis.   

“Being in the program has expanded my knowledge and helped me become even more involved within the tennis industry. It has also taught me what it means to work with a team and push through the ups and downs of trying new things.” 

Moose was also named USTA Florida Volunteer of the Month in April 2024, as he uses his experiences from both the Leadership Academy and life to strengthen the Florida tennis ecosystem. 

A Tennis Advocate On & Off the Courts 

Throughout his career, Moose has been involved in numerous projects and initiatives. At the Lake Cane Tennis Center, he works closely with Marcelo Gouts to organize tennis for all. Additionally, he volunteers with the USPTA and Women Teaching & Coaching Tennis, pushing to get more people involved with coaching. He also serves as the diversity, equity, and inclusion Task Force Lead for the LGBTQ+ community and the Adaptive Task Force at USPTA National. 

While Moose has been a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community since he was 14 years old, he knows that other groups need recognition and support, not just from the tennis community, but from others across the globe. 

Supporting and celebrating different backgrounds, both on and off the court, is one of Moose’s core values. “We all matter and having a safe and inclusive environment is what will help to support the growth of the sport we all love,” he said. “Having a diverse population within our sport will only help increase participants and grow the sport from the grassroots.” When he’s not coaching, Moose is advocating to bring people together, regardless of background, race, gender, and demographic.  

Tennis is Everywhere, Don’t be Shy 

Moose’s advice to aspiring tennis enthusiasts and those looking to make a difference is to immerse themselves in the community. “Reach out to your Section, Division or local facilities and see how you can help to support them and how they might be able to support you.” He added that there are numerous resources available, but they’re underutilized due to lack of awareness.  

Tennis continues to grow in Florida, which means there is a need for more coaches, volunteers, and industry leaders. Moose encourages everyone to take part in the growth, because the sport goes far beyond the Sunshine State. 

“Tennis is global and offers the opportunity to bring all groups of people and diverse populations together regardless of your background, race, gender, or demographic,” Moose added. “It serves as a cultural narrative that transcends the boundaries of a sports field thanks to its rich tapestry of history, society, and technology.” 

Moose reminds us that one’s passion can transcend far beyond one community. His work in the tennis community not only promotes the sport but also fosters inclusivity and support. Through his coaching, volunteering, leadership, and countless other roles, Moose is paving the way for a brighter future which features a more inclusive tennis community.

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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/video courtesy of USTA Florida.