Spotlight on the Port St. Lucie Tennis Community
Port St. Lucie's tennis community is built on accessibility and year-round outdoor play. As one of Florida's fastest-growing cities, it pairs an established academy heritage at Sandpiper Bay with an extensive, affordable network of public courts and a handful of upscale private clubs. From free city courts to Har-Tru clay at the Tesoro Club, players of every level have somewhere to play across the Treasure Coast. Many area players take part in tournaments and doubles leagues organized through Tennis Circuits®.
The Landmarks: Port St. Lucie's Iconic Tennis Venues
An established academy, the county's flagship public complex, and an upscale clay-court club anchor the story of tennis in Port St. Lucie.
The Sandpiper Bay campus on the St. Lucie River is the area's defining tennis landmark. For nearly 40 years it operated as Club Med Sandpiper Bay, a renowned all-inclusive resort and multi-sport academy spread across roughly 200 acres. Although Club Med has exited the property, its sports academies have continued under new ownership, and the tennis program has long been associated with Gabe Jaramillo, a renowned developmental coach who has trained multiple world No. 1 players over his career.
The Lawnwood Tennis Center, just north in Fort Pierce, is St. Lucie County's flagship public facility. It features 12 lighted hard courts — with stadium seating on the show court, two hitting walls, and shaded benches — and serves as the hub for county leagues, lessons, junior programs, high school playoff matches, and sanctioned tournaments.
The Tesoro Club represents the Treasure Coast's upscale private-club tradition. Set in Florida wetlands, its tennis and swim center overlooks the lake with 10 Har-Tru clay courts and an exhibition stadium court, plus lessons, clinics, and a full-service pro shop — a contrast to the city's many accessible public courts.
Notable Tennis Venues and Programs in Port St. Lucie
Port St. Lucie's tennis identity is built on academies, public courts, and private clubs rather than pro or college powerhouses.
Venue / Program
Type
Location
Highlight
Area
Sandpiper Bay Academy
Sports/Tennis Academy
St. Lucie River
Former Club Med campus; longtime tennis-training site associated with coach Gabe Jaramillo
SE Port St. Lucie
Gabe Jaramillo
Developmental Coach
Sandpiper Bay
Renowned coach who has trained multiple world No. 1 players; coaches juniors at the Sandpiper Bay academy
Port St. Lucie
Lawnwood Tennis Center
Public Complex
Fort Pierce
St. Lucie County's flagship public facility: 12 lighted courts, stadium court, HS playoffs & sanctioned tournaments
St. Lucie County
The Tesoro Club
Private Club
Port St. Lucie
Upscale tennis & swim center with 10 Har-Tru clay courts and an exhibition stadium court
St. Lucie West
PGA Village Verano
Racquet Center
Port St. Lucie
Large tennis & pickleball complex; hosted the 2019 World Pickleball Open
St. Lucie West
High School Tennis Programs in Port St. Lucie
Port St. Lucie high school tennis is governed by the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA), which organizes schools into four classifications (1A–4A) by enrollment. Both boys' and girls' tennis are spring sports in Florida, advancing through district and regional rounds to the FHSAA State Championships in the Orlando area. The St. Lucie County School District fields several large public high schools, with many matches and playoffs played at the county's Lawnwood Tennis Center.
| Program |
League |
Program Notes |
Treasure Coast Titans
FHSAA · Port St. Lucie
|
Public (FHSAA) |
One of Port St. Lucie's largest public high schools, fielding boys' and girls' tennis teams. |
St. Lucie West Centennial Eagles
FHSAA · Port St. Lucie
|
Public (FHSAA) |
A large St. Lucie West public high school with active tennis programs. |
Port St. Lucie Jaguars
FHSAA · Port St. Lucie
|
Public (FHSAA) |
An International Baccalaureate school that regularly fields competitive tennis teams. |
Lincoln Park Academy Greyhounds
FHSAA · Fort Pierce
|
Public Magnet (FHSAA) |
A well-regarded IB magnet school just north of Port St. Lucie with a strong all-around athletics tradition. |
St. Lucie County Schools
FHSAA · Treasure Coast
|
Public (FHSAA) |
Additional county schools, including Fort Pierce Central and Fort Pierce Westwood, round out the area's high school tennis scene. |
Collegiate Tennis Near Port St. Lucie
There is no NCAA tennis program based in Port St. Lucie itself. The nearest college tennis is to the south in Boca Raton, with more programs across South and Central Florida within driving distance.
Program
Division & Conference
Area
Notes
Team Links
FAU Owls
NCAA Division I — American Conf.
Boca Raton
Florida Atlantic's Division I women's tennis program, about an hour south of Port St. Lucie
Lynn Fighting Knights
NCAA Division II — Sunshine State
Boca Raton
A longtime Division II national power competing in the tennis-rich Sunshine State Conference
Regional Programs
NCAA D-I & D-II
South & Central Florida
Additional D-I and D-II tennis across the Palm Beaches, greater Miami, and the Orlando area
Regional programs
For Treasure Coast junior players, these programs offer NCAA Division I and Division II pathways within driving distance of home.
Tennis Across the Port St. Lucie Area
Port St. Lucie tennis is spread across the city and the wider Treasure Coast, each area with its own mix of academies, public courts, and private clubs.
- Sandpiper Bay & the St. Lucie River (SE Port St. Lucie) — The Sandpiper Bay sports academy and riverfront community courts.
- St. Lucie West & Tradition — Master-planned communities with club and racquet tennis, including the Tesoro Club and PGA Village Verano, plus St. Lucie West Centennial High School.
- Central & Eastern Port St. Lucie — City public courts at Whispering Pines, Lyngate, Jessica Clinton, Sportsman's, and Charles Ray parks, with Treasure Coast and Port St. Lucie high schools.
- Fort Pierce & St. Lucie County — The county's Lawnwood Tennis Center and additional public courts just to the north.
- Treasure Coast Neighbors — Stuart and Jensen Beach (Martin County) and Vero Beach (Indian River County) tennis a short drive away.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tennis in Port St. Lucie, FL
Where can I play tennis in Port St. Lucie?
Port St. Lucie, the heart of Florida's Treasure Coast, offers tennis year-round in a warm climate. The city operates public courts at parks including Whispering Pines Community Park, Lyngate Park, Jessica Clinton Park, Sportsman's Park, and Charles Ray Park, and St. Lucie County runs the Lawnwood Tennis Center in nearby Fort Pierce. The Sandpiper Bay campus on the St. Lucie River is a longtime sports-academy site with extensive tennis training, and upscale private clubs such as the Tesoro Club round out the options. Adult and junior play is coordinated through USTA Florida.
What is the Sandpiper Bay tennis academy in Port St. Lucie?
The Sandpiper Bay campus on the St. Lucie River operated for nearly 40 years as Club Med Sandpiper Bay, a renowned all-inclusive resort and multi-sport academy. While Club Med has since exited the property, its sports academies have continued under new ownership, and the site remains one of the Treasure Coast's most established tennis-training destinations. Its tennis program has long been associated with renowned developmental coach Gabe Jaramillo, who has trained multiple world No. 1 players over his career.
Does Port St. Lucie have USTA leagues or junior tennis programs?
Yes. Port St. Lucie is part of USTA Florida — one of the 17 sections of the USTA — with adult leagues, junior development, and sanctioned tournaments across St. Lucie County year-round. The St. Lucie County Parks & Recreation Department offers lessons, clinics, and league play at public courts, and the Lawnwood Tennis Center in Fort Pierce hosts high school playoffs and sanctioned tournaments. Clubs also organize doubles leagues, tournaments, and private lessons through Tennis Circuits®.
What colleges near Port St. Lucie have NCAA tennis programs?
There is no NCAA tennis program based in Port St. Lucie itself. The nearest college tennis is to the south in Boca Raton, where Florida Atlantic University competes in NCAA Division I and Lynn University is an NCAA Division II power, both roughly an hour away. Additional Division I and Division II programs are found across South Florida and Central Florida, giving Treasure Coast junior players several college pathways within driving distance.
What makes Port St. Lucie tennis unique compared to other cities?
As the heart of the Treasure Coast and one of Florida's largest cities, Port St. Lucie pairs an established academy heritage with accessible, affordable public tennis. The Sandpiper Bay campus has trained players for decades, the city and county maintain a deep network of public courts, and upscale clubs like the Tesoro Club offer Har-Tru clay play. With warm year-round weather and a fast-growing population, Port St. Lucie offers a welcoming, value-driven tennis scene a little north of the busier South Florida metros.
Are there tennis lessons or camps available in Port St. Lucie?
Yes. The St. Lucie County Parks & Recreation Department offers lessons, clinics, junior camps, and league play at public courts, and the Sandpiper Bay academy and private clubs such as the Tesoro Club provide professional coaching for all levels. Outdoor play is available every month of the year. Tennis Circuits® Summer Camps and Clinics are also available through tenniscircuits.com, providing structured junior and adult programming for the Port St. Lucie community throughout the year.
Are there public tennis courts in Port St. Lucie?
Yes. Port St. Lucie maintains a strong network of public courts, including Whispering Pines Community Park, plus lighted courts at Lyngate Park, Jessica Clinton Park, Sportsman's Park, and Charles Ray Park. Just north in Fort Pierce, the St. Lucie County Lawnwood Tennis Center offers 12 lighted hard courts with stadium seating, two hitting walls, and year-round programming. Most city courts are free or low-cost, making tennis widely accessible across the Treasure Coast.
Are the clubs listed affiliated with Tennis Circuits®?
This directory lists publicly available information about tennis clubs in Port St. Lucie, FL. Some clubs on this list use the Tennis Circuits® software platform, which provides clubs with the ability to run Tournaments, Doubles Leagues, Match Play, Summer Camps, Clinics, Lessons, JTT, Leagues, and Tennis Circuits® Club Edition. Tennis Circuits® is an official USTA Connect Partner — View Press Release (PDF).
Official USTA Connect Partner —
View press release
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