Jimmy Evert Tennis Center Receives USTA Outstanding Facility Award
Published on September 01, 2026
The City of Fort Lauderdale’s Jimmy Evert Tennis Center (JETC) has received the 2026 U.S. Tennis Association Outstanding Facility Award, earning national recognition as one of the country’s exemplary tennis facilities.
The USTA Outstanding Facility Award recognizes exceptional tennis facilities across the United States for the quality of their facilities, programming and contributions to growing the sport of tennis.
“This national recognition from the USTA is a tremendous honor for Fort Lauderdale and a testament to the investment we have made in the Jimmy Evert Tennis Center and the future of tennis in our city,” said Mayor Dean J. Trantalis. “For generations, these courts have helped develop young athletes, welcomed recreational players and built a tennis legacy that is known far beyond Fort Lauderdale. To now have the Jimmy Evert Tennis Center recognized among the nation’s outstanding tennis facilities shows that we are not only preserving that legacy but building upon it for the next generation.”
The award follows an approximately $8 million transformation of the Jimmy Evert Tennis Center through the voter-approved Parks Bond. Improvements included 20 new state-of-the-art clay courts, a new stadium court with seating for approximately 700 spectators, new LED lighting, shade structures, renovated restrooms, landscaping and improved pathways throughout the facility.
“We have created a first-class facility where our residents can play alongside some of the best young athletes in the world,” said District 2 Commissioner Steven Glassman. “That combination of community recreation and world-class competition is what makes the Jimmy Evert Tennis Center so special, and I am incredibly proud to see it receive this national recognition.”
The center reopened in October 2025 ahead of the Orange Bowl International Tennis Championships, strengthening JETC’s role as both a community recreation facility and a destination for high-level tennis competition.
Facilities considered for the USTA Outstanding Facility Award are evaluated on factors including court quality, amenities, safety and accessibility, youth and adult programming, opportunities for new players, and contributions to the growth of tennis.
Mayor Trantalis accepted the award on behalf of the City during a national recognition ceremony Aug. 31 in conjunction with the US Open in New York.
The Jimmy Evert Tennis Center is located at Holiday Park, 701 NE 12th Ave.