Florida's Tennis Boom Hits a Wall of Limited Public Courts

ORLANDO, FL – March 25, 2026 – As tennis experiences a remarkable surge in popularity across Florida, a new report reveals a critical infrastructure gap that threatens to sideline millions of current and prospective players. The United States Tennis Association (USTA) Florida today released a comprehensive white paper, "The Case for Public Tennis Court Investment in Florida," detailing a severe imbalance between the growing demand for the sport and the scarcity of publicly accessible courts.

The data-driven report highlights a stark reality: of the nearly 17,800 tennis courts tracked across the state, a staggering 80 percent are located behind the gates of private country clubs, homeowner associations, and exclusive resorts. This leaves just 3,497 courts available to the general public, translating to a ratio of approximately one public court for every 6,686 residents—a figure the organization argues is woefully inadequate for a state with a booming population and a year-round playing climate.

“This report emphasizes what we already know from our managed facilities -- demand for tennis is at an all-time high, yet our tennis infrastructure investment has not kept pace with our market demands,” said Laura Bowen, USTA Florida Executive Director, in the announcement. “We need a new wave of investment in best-in-class, tech-forward facilities to serve our customers now and in the future."

An Unmet Demand Meets a Growing Population

The numbers paint a clear picture of a sport outgrowing its public footprint. An estimated 1.9 million Floridians played tennis in 2025, reflecting a robust 5.1 percent compound annual growth rate since 2020. National data from the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) corroborates this trend, showing a nationwide rise in racquet sports participation. Beyond the active players, the white paper identifies another 1.47 million Floridians who express a desire to play but have not yet started, suggesting a deep well of untapped demand.

Compounding this pressure is Florida's relentless population growth. Projections from the University of Florida's Bureau of Economic and Business Research (BEBR) indicate the state could add nearly 4.9 million new residents by 2050. With many of these new arrivals settling in Central Florida and along the Gulf Coast—areas already facing recreational infrastructure deficits—the strain on the limited public court supply is set to intensify dramatically. The report argues that without a proactive strategy, access to one of the state's most popular recreational activities will become even more restricted.

Geographic disparities further exacerbate the access problem. The report finds that 43 percent of all courts are concentrated in just five counties, leaving many rural and smaller communities underserved. Seventeen counties across the state have fewer than 10 total courts each, creating veritable "tennis deserts" and forcing residents to travel long distances or abandon the sport altogether.

Beyond the Baseline: An Investment in Health and Economy

USTA Florida's report frames the call for more public courts not merely as a recreational need, but as a strategic investment with far-reaching benefits for public health, economic vitality, and social equity. The organization points to its inaugural Economic Impact Report, conducted by the renowned firm Tourism Economics, which found that tennis tournaments and events generated $145.9 million in total economic impact for Florida in 2023. These activities supported over 1,000 jobs and contributed $11.4 million in state and local taxes, demonstrating that public courts can function as powerful local economic engines.

Beyond the direct economic returns, the paper highlights compelling public health evidence. It cites the landmark Copenhagen City Heart Study, a 25-year observational study of over 8,500 adults, which associated playing tennis with the greatest gain in life expectancy of any sport studied—up to 9.7 additional years. By providing low-cost access to such a beneficial activity, public courts serve as a critical public health intervention.

The current 80/20 private-to-public court ratio also creates a significant equity problem. With nearly 15 percent of Florida households earning less than $20,000 annually, private club memberships are an insurmountable barrier. Public facilities represent the only viable access point for hundreds of thousands of families, making investment in them a direct strategy to ensure recreational opportunities are available to all residents, regardless of income.

A Call to Action and a Path Forward

To address the deficit, the white paper issues a clear call to action: the development or complete rehabilitation of at least 800 public tennis courts over the next decade. The report outlines a multi-pronged strategy to achieve this goal, urging collaboration between state and local governments and the private sector.

Key recommendations include the establishment of a dedicated state-level Tennis and Racquet Sport Infrastructure Grant Program and the adoption of minimum court-to-resident standards at the county level. For municipalities, the report suggests prioritizing court construction in historically underserved census tracts to address the equity gap.

“Cities and counties across the state are facing unprecedented pressure to add recreational services that meet the demands of Florida's significant population growth,” stated Chuck Gill, USTA Florida President. “USTA Florida is eager to invest alongside our municipal partners to improve tennis infrastructure, serve communities and drive local economies."

While the cost of building a new court can range from $25,000 to over $120,000, depending on site work and amenities, existing funding mechanisms can help municipalities foot the bill. State initiatives like the Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program (FRDAP) and the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) offer competitive grants for public outdoor recreation projects. By developing clear master plans, local governments can position themselves to secure this type of support.

USTA Florida has already demonstrated its commitment by investing over $2.9 million in 14 public facility projects since 2022, funding everything from resurfacing and lighting upgrades to full rebuilds and hurricane repairs. As the organization makes its case public, it invites policymakers and community leaders across the state to engage with the data and explore partnerships that can serve the next generation of Florida's tennis players.