Where can I play tennis in Fort Lauderdale?
Fort Lauderdale has an active, year-round tennis scene. Its centerpiece is the Jimmy Evert Tennis Center at Holiday Park - a premier public facility known as the "Home of Chris Evert," with roughly 20 clay courts, hard courts and a 700-seat Chris Evert Stadium Court. The City of Fort Lauderdale and Broward County parks operate additional public courts, and private clubs and beachside resorts round out the options. Just west in Plantation, the Frank Veltri Tennis Center hosts the prestigious Orange Bowl junior championships. Adult and junior play is coordinated through USTA Florida.
What is Fort Lauderdale's connection to Chris Evert?
Fort Lauderdale is the hometown of Chris Evert, the 18-time Grand Slam singles champion and former world No. 1. She was born in Fort Lauderdale, graduated from St. Thomas Aquinas High School, and learned the game from her father, coach Jimmy Evert, at Holiday Park. The city's public tennis facility was named the Jimmy Evert Tennis Center in his honor, and a renovation added a 700-seat Chris Evert Stadium Court. Over his decades there, Jimmy Evert also helped develop Jennifer Capriati, Brian Gottfried and Harold Solomon.
Does Fort Lauderdale have USTA leagues or junior tennis programs?
Yes. Fort Lauderdale is part of USTA Florida - one of the 17 sections of the USTA - with active adult leagues, junior development and sanctioned tournaments across Broward County year-round. The area is also a major junior tennis hub: the Frank Veltri Tennis Center in nearby Plantation is the longtime host of the prestigious Orange Bowl International Tennis Championships, and the Jimmy Evert Tennis Center runs extensive junior programming. Tennis Circuits® also provides tournaments, doubles leagues, match play and lessons for the Fort Lauderdale community.
What colleges near Fort Lauderdale have NCAA tennis programs?
Nova Southeastern University in Davie, just outside Fort Lauderdale, is an NCAA Division II power in the Sunshine State Conference whose women's tennis team won the 2024 NCAA Division II national championship. The area also sits within easy reach of Division I tennis at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton and the University of Miami in Coral Gables, plus additional Division II programs such as Barry University in Miami Shores and Lynn University in Boca Raton.
What makes Fort Lauderdale tennis unique compared to other cities?
Fort Lauderdale is one of the most storied tennis towns in America. It is the hometown of Chris Evert and the site of the Jimmy Evert Tennis Center at Holiday Park, recognized as one of the nation's finest public tennis facilities and a launching pad for multiple American champions. Combined with a warm year-round climate, the nearby Orange Bowl junior championships in Plantation, Nova Southeastern's national-title women's program in Davie and a deep high school scene, Fort Lauderdale offers a tennis culture few cities its size can match.
Are there tennis lessons or camps available in Fort Lauderdale?
Yes. Fort Lauderdale's clubs, public facilities, resorts and academies - led by the Jimmy Evert Tennis Center - offer private and group lessons, seasonal camps and clinics for players of all ages and skill levels, with outdoor play available every month of the year. Tennis Circuits® camps and clinics are also available through tenniscircuits.com, providing structured junior and adult programming for the Fort Lauderdale community throughout the year.
What is Fort Lauderdale's tennis history?
Fort Lauderdale's tennis history is anchored by the Evert family. Coach Jimmy Evert taught at the city's Holiday Park facility for roughly 49 years, developing his daughter Chris Evert - an 18-time Grand Slam singles champion and world No. 1 - along with Jennifer Capriati, Brian Gottfried and Harold Solomon. The facility was renamed the Jimmy Evert Tennis Center in his honor in 1997. The broader area has also long hosted the Orange Bowl International Tennis Championships, now held at the Frank Veltri Tennis Center in Plantation, one of the premier junior events in the world.
Are the listed clubs affiliated with Tennis Circuits®?
Some clubs may use Tennis Circuits® software, but this page is a Fort Lauderdale tennis directory. Tennis Circuits® provides tournaments, doubles leagues, match play, camps, clinics, lessons, JTT and Club Edition tools for clubs and organizers, and is an official USTA Connect Partner.
