The Jimmy Evert Tennis Center at Holiday Park is reopening in Fort Lauderdale after a nearly yearlong renovation.
The $9.5 million upgrade at the center, at 701 NE 12th Ave., is the result of a collaboration between Fort Lauderdale, the sports nonprofit Orange Bowl and the United States Tennis Association. The facility is having its grand opening event on Monday, and tennis legend Chris Evert is expected to attend.
The renovation aims to elevate the site to international standards, “positioning it as a world-class venue for community play and elite global competition,” the organizations said in a news release.
Fort Lauderdale City Commissioner Steve Glassman said he wants to see the center return to its former glory as one of the top tennis sites in the state if not the country. “I think people are going to be really pleasantly surprised when they see the improvements,” said the commissioner for the city’s District 2, where the center sits. “And we thank everyone for their patience for us to get this done.”
Orange Bowl committed $1.5 million while Fort Lauderdale’s commitment was about $8 million to the project, the news release said.
The site will serve as the location for the Orange Bowl International Tennis Championships (Boys’ & Girls’ 16s and 18s), which will run from Dec. 5 to Dec. 14, 2025, and will, for the first time, also feature the world’s top junior wheelchair tennis players.
Alumni of the tournament include Chris Evert, Bjorn Borg, John McEnroe, Ivan Lendl, Jim Courier, Roger Federer and Coco Gauff, the news release said.
The renovations, which began in January 2025, include:
— 20 modern clay Courts with sub-surface irrigation systems for optimal playing conditions.
— 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, including high-efficiency LED court lighting, new fencing, modern shade structures and renovated restrooms.
“The Jimmy Evert Tennis Center has long been a cornerstone of Fort Lauderdale’s athletic and cultural identity,” Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis said in a statement. “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.”
“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 and chair.