The new home of American tennis is closer than ever to becoming a reality. The USTA National Campus, the 100-plus-court, state-of-the-art facility that will serve as the touchstone for tennis in the United States, is slated to be completed later this year, built over 63 acres of land in Orlando, Fla.

 

The USTA National Campus will feature a mix of hard and clay courts – both Har-Tru green and red clay courts, as well as indoor hard courts and 36- and 60-foot courts for family tennis – and will house the USTA’s Community Tennis and Player Development divisions. The complex will be divided into dedicated areas (see below for more) that will focus on the complete tennis pathway – from the youngest players to recreational competitors of all ages and ability levels, and from collegians to future pros and professional tour-level players.

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The plan is to officially open the facility in the late fall or early winter.

 

“There’s really nothing like this in the world,” said USTA Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer Gordon Smith. “With the USTA National Campus, we are creating an unrivaled tennis facility that will serve as a resource and destination for tennis players of all ages and abilities, and most importantly a launching pad for the next generation of tennis players and providers.”

 

The goal of the USTA National Campus is to enhance the sport at every level and create an unparalleled playing, training and educational experience for players, coaches and spectators.

 

“By housing our two divisions devoted to growing the game at all levels, and training the next generation of players and coaches, we can have a greater impact on the sport than we ever had before,” said Katrina Adams, USTA Chairman, CEO and President.

 

The groundbreaking ceremony for the new facility was held in April 2015, and the complex is currently rounding into shape, with construction ongoing. Once completed, the USTA National Campus will be open to the public and able to accommodate family outings, clinics, camps, leagues and every type of tennis competition and program, from youth tennis events to age-based national championships. Collegiate tennis will be a staple, with the USTA National Campus serving as the home of the University of Central Florida’s men’s and women’s tennis teams in addition to hosting collegiate tournaments.

 

Kurt Kamperman, the USTA’s Chief Executive for Community Tennis, has been tabbed to oversee the USTA National Campus. Working under Kamperman will be Craig Morris, the former Director of Participation for Tennis Australia who was hired last year as the USTA's General Manager for Community Tennis and Youth Tennis, and Tim Cass, the former Chief Operating Officer for the University of New Mexico who will serve as the General Manager of the USTA National Campus.

 

“With my additional duties for the USTA National Campus, it was imperative that the Community Tennis division’s focus on the mission not only continued without issue, but was in fact raised to the next level,” Kamperman said. “It was also of the utmost importance to find an individual with the proper facility and tennis experience to help run the day-to-day operations of the USTA National Campus and make it the model tennis facility we envision. Craig Morris brings with him a fresh perspective and vision to our programs and initiatives. [And] Tim Cass’ experience in managing a multitude of sports programs, and their respective facilities and budgets, perfectly aligns with his responsibilities at the USTA National Campus.”

 

The dedicated areas and amenities for the USTA National Campus are as follows:

 

Tournament and League Area – This area will include 32 Har-Tru green clay courts and 20 hard courts. The space will include player pavilions and a tournament administration building, complete with trainer rooms, an officials area, a stringer area, player lounge, public restrooms and a tournament check-in area.

 

Collegiate Tennis Area – This area will feature 12 hard courts and one future tournament show court and will serve as the home of UCF’s men’s and women’s varsity tennis programs. The courts will be equipped with lighting for televised events and have elevated seating for 1,200 people, with room for additional seats. The area will allow two collegiate matches to be played simultaneously. Additionally, it will feature a two-story pavilion for concessions as well as public restrooms, team locker rooms and areas for trainers and officials.

 

Team USA Area – This area will feature 12 hard courts. These courts will be utilized by the 17 USTA sections, along with coaches and players from throughout the country, to work collaboratively with USTA Player Development. The Team USA Area also will provide training facilities for tennis officials and coaches from across the U.S.

 

High Performance and Player Development Area – This area will include eight hard courts and eight red clay courts. The space will include a lodge that can house 32 boys and girls as well as a strength and conditioning area. This area will also be utilized for Team USA events.

 

Indoor Tennis Courts – There will be six indoor hard courts with a viewing area.

 

36/60’ Family Tennis Area – This area will include eight 36-foot and eight 60-foot courts that will enable both youth and adults to develop their games.

 

USTA Office Building – The ground floor will include a tennis pro shop, fitness area, locker rooms, a player lounge and a café/restaurant, with USTA offices occupying the second floor.

 

Technology – The facility will be an epicenter for tennis innovation and education. It will incorporate the latest technology to provide an unparalleled playing, training and educational experience for players, coaches, officials and spectators.