Top Division I programs gather at Evert Tennis Academy for preseason showdown
Jan 09, 2026
College tennis took center stage this week at Evert Tennis Academy in Boca Raton, as several top Division I programs gathered for a high-level preseason showdown. The event brought together elite college teams, academy players, coaches, and parents, creating an atmosphere that closely resembled official NCAA competition offering valuable preparation ahead of the spring season.
“This is a showdown [and we're] having some of the best college teams here in Florida,” said Ricardo Acioly, Director of Strategic Development at Evert Tennis Academy, in an interview with Matt Pressman, Editor of Florida Tennis Magazine. “At this time of the year, a lot of teams are looking for practice matches and competition, especially coming out of indoor training. Florida gives them good weather and the right conditions.”
Photo credit: Florida Tennis
The inaugural event featured prominent Division I programs including Clemson, the University of Florida, Illinois, Arizona, and Michigan. According to Acioly, the initiative was designed not only to provide quality match play for college teams, but also to inspire the academy’s junior players.
“That’s their path — that’s the natural path for most of our kids,” Acioly said. “It’s great to have Division I players, some of the best in the country, here competing.”
“It’s an initiative to give [the teams] great grounds to play here at the academy, but also to inspire our students,” Acioly explained. “Seeing high-level tennis, the intensity, the atmosphere, the yelling, the emotion — this is so good for them.”
Photo credit: Florida Tennis
Throughout the day, academy players filled the stands, closely following doubles and singles matches that often came down to tight finishes. One doubles match ended in a tiebreak, drawing loud reactions from the crowd and creating a true college tennis atmosphere.
With several of the participating teams ranked inside the national top 25, the level of play remained consistently high. “Everybody wants to win, nobody wants to lose,” Acioly said. “It’s high-quality tennis with real intensity.”
Academy Director Jacopo Tezza also emphasized the educational value of hosting such an event for junior players. “It’s a great day for tennis and for our kids,” Tezza said. “Having Division I men’s programs here is a great experience.”
Photo credit: Florida Tennis
Tezza explained that the format was collaboratively designed by the college coaches and structured as an exhibition. “The coaches decided the matchups the morning of the event. The doubles were very exciting — one court had around 60 kids watching.”
For many academy players, the event offered a clear picture of what college tennis looks like. “It’s an incredible opportunity for high school players to witness firsthand what Division I tennis looks like — the level, the intensity, the cheering, and the team camaraderie,” Tezza added.
Matches will continue through the weekend, with the academy open to the public, offering fans and families a chance to experience top-level college tennis up close. “This is the type of atmosphere we’re looking for,” Acioly concluded. “And Evert Tennis Academy is the perfect place for it.”
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Written by Associate Editor Osvaldo Godoy. Video editing by Assistant Editor Alex Binstok. Interviews by Florida Tennis Editor Matt Pressman.
