Ricardo Acioly on Evert Tennis Academy’s Past, Present, and Future
Mar 11, 2025
Under the blazing Florida sun, DJ Mad Linx, Florida Tennis' Director of Entertainment, found himself at the Evert Tennis Academy, soaking in the sights and sounds of one of the premier tennis training facilities in the country. But he wasn’t just there to admire the pristine courts—he was on a mission to speak with Ricardo Acioly, the academy’s Director of Strategic Development, about the past, present, and future of this historic tennis institution.
“It’s a full-time student academy,” Acioly explained. “We have 23 courts [12 clay courts and 11 hard courts], a dorm, a gym, and a full-time program so kids can train year-round and study. We even have our own school on campus.” The combination of elite tennis training and academics allows young athletes to chase their tennis dreams without compromising their education.
Above: Chris and John Evert at Evert Tennis Academy. Source: Evert Tennis Academy.
It's not unusual to find tennis icon Chris Evert and her brother John Evert working with the players. “Our full-time enrollment is 96 students,” Acioly shared. “They train morning and afternoon while attending school. Then, we have 24 kids in our afternoon-only program, which is for ages 8 to 12.” The balance between academics and tennis is a key part of the academy’s philosophy.
Many may not realize that the grounds of Evert Tennis Academy once played host to some of the biggest names in American tennis. Early on, the USTA National Training Center was housed at the location, making this their home before shifting operations further north in Florida. “Before they moved to Orlando, all the players in the USTA program trained here at the academy,” explained Acioly.
Above: Players warm up before play at Evert Tennis Academy. Source: Evert Tennis Academy.
With such a strong foundation, it’s no surprise that some of the biggest names in tennis have passed through Evert’s doors. “Madison Keys trained here from ages 11 to 18,” Acioly pointed out. “And Andy Roddick also trained here.” Roddick, a former world No. 1 and U.S. Open champion, and Keys, this year's Australian Open champion, are shining examples of the academy’s ability to develop players capable of competing at the highest level.
While the past is filled with success stories, Acioly is focused on the future. “We just want to keep improving, keep providing a great program for kids to develop—not just on the court, but as students and as individuals.” He emphasized that tennis is more than just a sport, it’s a lifelong journey. “It’s always a living experience,” he reflected. “You develop good friendships, you use the sport of tennis to grow as a person, and that’s what we focus on here.”
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Written by Florida Tennis Associate Editor Osvaldo Godoy. Interview by Florida Tennis Host and Entertainment Director DJ Mad Linx. Photos courtesy of Evert Tennis Academy.