American Men’s Tennis Could Get Boost from New USTA National Campus

ORLANDO, Fla. — American men’s tennis fell ill about a decade ago and continues to suffer through a generalized malaise. However, the USTA’s new national campus in Orlando, Fla. could provide a boost that leads to the recovery of men’s tennis in this country. 

Being promoted as “the new home of American tennis,” the $60 million, 64-acre site in the Lake Nona neighborhood, features 100 tennis courts, including six with red clay imported from Europe.

Some courts feature smart technology that provides video and data that can used to analyze a player’s game. There is also a player development center with a strength and conditioning area with a 350-foot sprint track, sand pit, indoor and outdoor workout areas and lodging for up to 40 players.

“It’s a magical mecca for American tennis,” said 18-time Grand Slam winner Chris Evert, who was at the site for the “first serve” ceremony Monday. 

“This is the largest tennis campus in America, maybe the world?,” said Evert. “I think I know most of the world campuses and the national tennis centers in other countries and I don’t think anyone has anything as wonderful as this.”

It’s been 14 years since Andy Roddick won the U.S. Open, the last Grand Slam singles title for an American male. Right now there are no American men in the Top 10. The highest ranked (No. 19) American, John Isner, is 31. 

The new center offers the full spectrum of tennis participation, from beginner and recreational players to collegiate and professional players, all in one public facility. 

The new campus opens at the time when there is a promising young crop of talented players rising in the U.S.  

“This will be great for American men’s tennis because you’ve got the access and you’ve got players training together,” said retired American tennis player James Blake, who got his first glimpse of the facility Monday.

I think, especially with this young crew right now of Taylor Fritz, Tommy Paul, Francis Tiafoe, Reilly Opelka, Jared Donaldson, these guys are all going to push each other the same way (Pete) Sampras, (Andre) Agassi, (Jim) Courier and Michael Chang pushed each other and myself, …

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