Elizabeth Moore Sarasota Open: Young Stars Shine in 2025

The 2025 Elizabeth Moore Sarasota Open began this year with strong attendance and a new venue, marking a significant transition for the tournament. Now hosted at the Sarasota Sports Club in Prestancia, the event maintained its reputation for high-level tennis while introducing a fresh setting. Featuring a draw composed entirely of players under the age of 23, the tournament offered a week-long glimpse into the emerging talent shaping the future of the sport.

Elizabeth Moore, the tournament’s owner and co-director, noted the strong start to this year’s event. “It was like record sales… and talk about the high level of tennis players, singles and dubs!” she said, commenting on both ticket demand and the overall level of play. Throughout the week, players and fans alike responded positively, with steady attendance, active community involvement, and an engaging atmosphere on and off the court.

Above: EMSO Kids Day Buddy UP with Ethan Quinn and Tristan Boyer. Source: Sarasota Open.

The tournament’s new setting helped shape the experience. Set amidst manicured grounds and palm tree-lined streets, Prestancia offered an upscale yet relaxed atmosphere that players embraced wholeheartedly. “Even though I'm Canadian, I view Florida as my home now,” said finalist Liam Draxl. “I love fishing, love surfing—so I love that type of vibe here, you know, under the sunshine and palm trees.” That laid-back Florida feeling permeated the tournament’s vibe, but once the players stepped onto the clay, the tone shifted to full focus.

“Every match out here is a war,” said top seed Eliot Spizzirri, reflecting on the intensity of the competition. The final featured two 23-year-old standouts: No. 5 seed Emilio Nava and No. 7 seed Liam Draxl. Both came in with momentum, but it was Nava who emerged victorious, earning his third consecutive ATP Challenger title with a 6–2, 7–6(2) victory. The win placed Nava among an elite list of former Sarasota champions, including Kei Nishikori, Nick Kyrgios, Frances Tiafoe, and Tommy Paul. For Nava, the path to victory wasn’t without challenges. “You know, you're not looking forward to an obstacle,” Nava said after the match. “But making sure that when an obstacle does arise... It's part of that match. And you have to just stay calm and try to overcome it.” 

In addition to the tennis, the Sarasota Open made community engagement a priority. Opening day featured a high-energy Kids Day clinic where young fans got the chance to meet, rally with, and learn from the tournament’s rising stars. The Special Olympics on-court exhibition added emotional depth to the week’s festivities, allowing fans and athletes to come together for more than just points and prize money. The clinics and exhibitions reminded everyone that the sport's impact stretches far beyond the scoreboard.

Source: Sarasota Open.

For tournament co-directors Elizabeth Moore and Steve Gareleck, the new venue was a gamble that paid off. Sarasota Sports Club, which previously hosted prestigious events like the Chrysler Cup and American Express Invitational, proved to be an ideal setting for the next evolution of the Sarasota Open. The facility’s history blended seamlessly with the fresh energy brought by this generation of talent.

Veteran tennis journalist Dave Kozlowski captured it best: “The Elizabeth Moore Sarasota Open was a ‘win-win’ for the players, the fans, and for Moore and Gareleck on their choice of the new site.” Players left with ranking points and memories, fans left buzzing with excitement, and organizers walked away knowing they'd elevated the tournament to new heights.

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Written by Dave Kozlowski and edited by Florida Tennis Assistant Editor Alex Binstok. Top Photo: Left to right, Liam Draxl, Finalist, Elizabeth Moore, Owner, Emilio Nava, Winner). Top Photo Credit: Sarasota Open.