A new year is underway at the City of Fort Walton Beach Tennis Center, and 2026 is already bringing progress, growth, and fresh opportunities on court. January brought many bright spots, and the focus remains moving forward and building momentum for the months ahead.
Junior & Adult Tennis Highlights
January was a slower month for both junior and adult programs as extreme cold weather led to a one-week facility closure, limiting overall on-court time. Despite the interruptions, our junior players made the most of every opportunity to get on court. When classes were able to run, the focus was on consistency and serve development, helping players continue to build strong fundamentals even with a shortened schedule.
Adult programming was also impacted by the cold weather. With clinics held in the evening, turnout was limited during the colder weeks, but we appreciate those who were able to brave the conditions and stay engaged with their tennis.
Looking ahead, we’re excited to introduce a new opportunity for advanced adult players. A 4.5+ clinic on Tuesday evenings has been added to the schedule, offering high-level drills and competitive point play. Interest in this clinic is already picking up, and we look forward to seeing it continue to grow.
For our junior players, we’re pleased to welcome local high school and middle school tennis teams to the facility for practices and team matches as their seasons get underway.
Facility Update
Resurfacing of the tennis courts has begun, an important improvement that will enhance play and court conditions moving forward.
Coaches Tip of the Month
One of the biggest improvements players can make is learning to be patient during rallies. Focus on hitting high percentage shots, recovering to good court position, and waiting for the right ball to attack. Winning points isn’t about hitting winners early, it’s about creating opportunities.