National Tennis Complex & Black Tennis Hall of Fame Coming to Fort Lauderdale

(left to right) Katrina Adams, Chairman of the Board and President of the United States Tennis Association with Stacy Ritter, President & CEO for Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau, on August 31 in Queens, New York, at 2018 U.S. Open event supporting ATA/ATEF National Tennis Center coming to Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County.

Katrina Adams, Chairman of the Board and President of the United States Tennis Association, addressing guests at the 2018 U.S. Open in support of the ATA/ATEF National Tennis Center to Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County.

(left to right) Albert Tucker, VP of Multicultural Business Development for Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau; Roxanne Aaron, American Tennis Association President-Elect; Wayne Messam, City of Miramar Mayor, gather in front of a rendering of the ATA/ATEF National Tennis Training Complex coming to Miramar Regional Park.

Enthusiasm, Support Builds for ATA/ATEF National Tennis Complex, Black Tennis Hall of Fame in Greater Fort Lauderdale

U.S. Open Event Heralds New Facility as a Major Multicultural Tourism Draw

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (September 26, 2018) – Philanthropists, professional tennis elite and  community leaders gathered during a private reception at the 2018 U.S. Open to raise awareness and support for the ATA/ATEF (American Tennis Association/American Tennis & Education Foundation) National Tennis Center coming to Greater Fort Lauderdale’s Miramar Regional Park. The event, hosted by the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau, included addresses from Katrina Adams, Chairman of the Board and President of the United States Tennis Association, and Stacy Ritter, CEO and President, Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau. 

“I applaud Greater Fort Lauderdale’s efforts to create a facility to train and support young tennis players of color to help them achieve life goals on and off the courts,” said Katrina Adams, Chairman of the Board and President of the United States Tennis Association. “I’ve advocated for many years to make tennis more diverse and Broward County’s national training center is a big step in that direction. It is facilities of this nature that help young people build athletic skills and gain the confidence they need for personal success. Plus, at the ATA/ATEF National Tennis Center, they will be surrounded by reminders of the great Black players that pioneered the sport before them.” 

“The ATA/ATEF National Tennis Center will be an important addition to the South Florida landscape, bringing together the rich history of black tennis in one central location,” said Albert Tucker, VP of Multicultural Business Development at the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau. “The complex will include the ATA corporate headquarters, a national training facility for promising young players, and the Black Tennis Hall of Fame showcasing historic memorabilia.” 

Having recently obtained building permits, the ATA/ATEF National Tennis Center groundbreaking is expected in 2019 and will be home to the following:  

- 20,000-square-foot Black Tennis Hall of Fame

- ATA/ATEF headquarters

- Large center court with seating for 3,000

- More than 20 auxiliary courts

- Clubhouse with locker rooms, treatment areas and fitness center

- 125-room hotel for athletes, their families and visitors to stay during tournaments

According to Stacy Ritter, the facility is also a major step in attracting multicultural travelers to the destination for competitions, training and vacation stays. “We are thrilled to have the ATA/ATEF National Tennis Center in Broward to further our reputation as being diverse and welcoming. It will also draw attention to the growing appeal of West Broward, having multiple collegiate and national sports venues.”

The ATA/ATEF National Tennis Center, expected to be tournament-ready by 2020, is anticipated to bring immediate economic benefit to the community through conferences, training, and travel.