OU tennis complex earns USTA Outstanding Facility Award after major upgrades
The University of Oklahoma’s tennis facility has undergone significant improvements aimed at creating more consistent playing conditions, enhancing the experience for student-athletes and spectators, and positioning OU to host more major tennis events.
And with those upgrades completed, the Headington Family Tennis Center and Wadley Indoor Tennis Pavilion earned a 2026 USTA Outstanding Facility Award in the Educational Institutions category. The facility was recognized during the US Open in New York City.
According to Dawna Johnston, director of operations for the OU Tennis Club, the project included a complete renovation of the 12 outdoor courts and surrounding walkways as well as improvements to the six indoor courts.
The outdoor courts were stripped down to the original concrete, resealed and repaired before receiving a slurry coat, new surface, court paint and lines. The indoor courts and surrounding areas were also resurfaced, painted and lined.
The decision to resurface the courts at the Headington Family Tennis Center and Wadley Indoor Tennis Pavilion was driven by both appearance and performance. Years of weather, continual use and previous patching had created inconsistencies in the outdoor courts, particularly in how quickly the courts played.
For OU, creating a consistent court speed was essential. Not only for collegiate home matches, but also to provide a facility capable of hosting SEC tournaments, UTR events and USTA Pro Circuit competitions. The University of Oklahoma will host men’s and women’s Pro Circuit tournaments on Oct. 26 to Nov. 1.
A key part of the project was support from the USTA and its Tennis Venue Services grant program. The University of Oklahoma was awarded a $60,000 grant from USTA National Tennis Venue Services, along with an $8,000 grant from USTA Missouri Valley, for a total of $68,000 in grant funding.
Dawna Johnston (right) accepted the USTA Outstanding Facility Award in the Educational Institutions category at the 2026 US Open in New York City.
The outdoor tennis courts at the Headington Family Tennis Center in Norman, Okla., were upgraded thanks in part to USTA Tennis Venue Services grant funding.
The Headington Family Tennis Center and Wadley Indoor Tennis Pavilion received $68,000 from the USTA to assist in recent facility upgrades.
- Dawna Johnston (right) accepted the USTA Outstanding Facility Award in the Educational Institutions category at the 2026 US Open in New York City.
- The outdoor tennis courts at the Headington Family Tennis Center in Norman, Okla., were upgraded thanks in part to USTA Tennis Venue Services grant funding.
- The Headington Family Tennis Center and Wadley Indoor Tennis Pavilion received $68,000 from the USTA to assist in recent facility upgrades.
The grants are part of a larger national effort by the USTA to improve tennis facilities across the country. Since 2005, the USTA’s Tennis Venue Services grant program has awarded more than $34 million in grants. In 2025 alone, more than $16 million supported nearly 300 projects impacting more than 2,500 tennis courts. To see the USTA Missouri Valley impact, check out this story.
The OU facility also received a major upgrade in 2024, adding approximately 4,300 square feet of new construction. The improvements included expanded team suites with updated locker rooms and team lounges, an elevated multipurpose covered patio and 540 new elevated, fixed chairback seats. The project also brought an upgraded outdoor sports lighting system and new LED lighting for the indoor courts.
Johnston said the partnership with the USTA made the process particularly positive. She described the USTA Tennis Venue Services application process as smooth, and she said TVS representatives were helpful throughout the project.
USTA National, USTA Missouri Valley and USTA Oklahoma have also supported Johnston and the OU Tennis Club through resources designed to grow tennis in the community and across the state.
For Johnston, the project represents more than a facility upgrade. It is an investment in the future of tennis at OU and in the broader tennis community.
With the resurfacing project, new amenities and continued support from the USTA, the University of Oklahoma is strengthening its ability to provide high-level competition while creating opportunities to bring collegiate, amateur and professional events to Norman.
“I am thankful to USTA for its support and partnership,” Johnston said, adding that she plans to continue exploring resources available through the USTA to help grow the game of tennis.
Learn more about USTA Tennis Venue Services by clicking here.
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