News

MIAMI LAKES, Fla. (November 13, 2025) – The Orange Bowl, the City of Fort Lauderdale, and the United States Tennis Association (USTA) are thrilled to announce the successful completion of a comprehensive, multi-million-dollar renovation of the legendary Jimmy Evert Tennis Center (JETC) at Holiday Park. This collaborative makeover ensures that the “Home of Champions” is elevated to international standards, positioning it as a world-class venue for community play and elite global competition.

The centerpiece of this revitalization project is a $1.5 million Legacy Gift from the Orange Bowl, which complements the City of Fort Lauderdale’s commitment of approximately $8 million, bringing the total investment to $9.5 million. This unprecedented partnership was also supported by the USTA as a key ally in solidifying the facility’s future.

The primary outcome of this partnership is the relocation of the prestigious Orange Bowl International Tennis Championships (Boys’ & Girls’ 16s and 18s), which will begin calling the new JETC home in December 2025. For over 75 years, this event has been recognized as one of the world’s premier junior tennis tournaments. Its distinguished alumni list includes dozens of future Grand Slam champions and World No. 1 players, such as Chris Evert, Bjorn Borg, John McEnroe, Ivan Lendl, Jim Courier, Roger Federer, Coco Gauff, and others, solidifying its place as a crucial proving ground for the sport’s elite.

“For nearly eight decades, the Orange Bowl International Tennis Championships has played a critical role in developing the sport’s future stars, including a number of the greatest American champions,” said Tracy Davies, General Manager, USA Tennis. “We are incredibly grateful for the investment made by the Orange Bowl Committee and the City of Fort Lauderdale, which will give these future champions access to a world-class facility befitting the event’s prestigious history.”

Elevating a Legacy Facility

The extensive renovation, which began in January 2025 and was completed in Fall 2025, includes:

• 20 State-of-the-Art Clay Courts: Installation of sub-surface irrigation systems (hydro-courts), the industry standard for optimal playing conditions.
• Chris Evert Stadium Court: Construction of a brand-new 700-seat stadium court, which will be named in honor of Fort Lauderdale’s own tennis legend, Chris Evert.
• Enhanced Infrastructure: Full upgrades to the facility, including high-efficiency LED court lighting, new fencing, modern shade structures, improved pathways, and fully renovated restrooms.
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  “Our partnership with the City of Fort Lauderdale and the USTA on this historic renovation represents a shared vision for the future of tennis in South Florida,” said Henri Crockett, Orange Bowl Committee President & Chair. “The Jimmy Evert Tennis Center has a storied history of developing champions, and with these world-class enhancements, we are proud to relocate the Orange Bowl International Tennis Championships here. This investment is a commitment to the legacy of this sport and the community that embraces it.”

“The Jimmy Evert Tennis Center has long been a cornerstone of Fort Lauderdale’s athletic and cultural identity,” said Mayor Dean Trantalis. “This partnership not only honors our city’s proud tennis heritage but also ensures that future generations of players, from neighborhood youth to international competitors, have a world-class venue to learn, train, and compete. We are thrilled to welcome the Orange Bowl International Tennis Championships to its new home right here in Fort Lauderdale.”

Grand Reopening – Chris Evert Stadium Court

The community is invited to mark their calendars for the official Grand Reopening and Dedication Celebration of Chris Evert Stadium Court, scheduled for Monday, December 8, 2025, which will feature special guest appearances, including tennis icon Chris Evert.

The newly-renovated facility will first host the Orange Bowl International Tennis Championships from December 5–14, 2025, welcoming elite junior athletes from around the world. For the first time in the event’s history, this year’s tournament will also feature the world’s top junior wheelchair tennis players.