ORLANDO, FLA., April 4, 2025 – To support those in the Florida tennis community devastated from hurricane damage, the USTA Florida Foundation has awarded a total of $829,688 to assist five tennis centers in the Tampa-Clearwater area. These grants will help rebuild and restore courts and facilities that were impacted by the 2024 hurricane season. 

“The USTA Florida Section Foundation Board of Directors continues its mission of growing tennis for all in the state of Florida and recently voted to support five tennis facilities located in Hillsborough and Pinellas County with what are collectively the largest Hurricane Relief Grants awarded in the history of our Foundation,” Elizabeth DeConti, USTA Florida Foundation President, said. 

The five recipient facilities are Treasure Bay Golf & Tennis Facility, HCC Tennis Center, St. Petersburg Tennis Center, McMullen Tennis Complex, and Apollo Beach Racquet & Fitness Club. 

“We unfortunately suffered a lot of fence and court damage. We also had clay court material loss and rips to our cabanas,” HCC Tennis Center Director, Chris Nyholm said. “We’re just very thankful for the USTA Florida Foundation, wanting to help us and our mission to get the facility back running.” 

Damage from the storms saw more than 15,000 tennis players impacted at the HCC Tennis Complex. Across all five locations, more than 20,000 players were left without tennis while the courts remained unplayable.  

One facility, the McMullen Tennis Complex, wasn’t able to offer tennis for a month. “We were down for about three and a half weeks as we made sure the facility was safe and in good conditions for the players to comeback and participate in the sport they love,” Mike Lockwood, the Assistant Director for City of Clearwater Parks and Recreation Department said. 

Across these locations, 46 Har-Tru courts and 4 hard courts sustained damage, along with fencing, lighting, and equipment. The Hurricane Relief Grant program is structured as a reimbursement process, where facilities manage repairs upfront, then submit relevant documentation, such as receipts and paid invoices, for reimbursement upon completion of the work. 

This funding was made possible through the generous contributions of donors, as well as significant support from USTA and USTA Florida. “Together with USTA National, the USTA Florida Section, and the Florida tennis community, the Foundation is proud to support the rebuilding efforts at these facilities so that they can restore public programming and USTA league play,” DeConti added. 

USTA Florida donated a generous $525,676 to the Hurricane Relief Fund. “When we realize how important our infrastructure is, and how hurricanes have impacted our players, coaches and facility operators,” Chuck Gill, USTA Florida President, said. “We need to do whatever we can to assist these places in getting people back on their tennis courts.” 

USTA National also contributed $250,000 to help rebuild Florida tennis in these devasted areas. 

Since 2019, the USTA Florida Foundation has been dedicated to supporting both public and private tennis facilities across Florida. Through our commitment to growing the game and strengthening communities, we have provided more than $1.3 million in hurricane relief grants, helping repair and rebuild over 10 tennis facilities throughout the state. 

As Florida continues to recover from hurricane-related challenges, the USTA Florida Foundation remains committed to investing in the future of tennis by helping facilities rebuild stronger than before. 

“We are thrilled that this collective effort affords us the opportunity to provide timely and valuable support to USTA member clubs in the severely impacted regions of the state,” Scott Stettner, a member of the USTA Florida Foundation Board of Directors, said. 

Those interested in contributing to the Foundation’s relief efforts can visit ustafloridafoundation.com to learn more about donation opportunities and other grant programs.