October brings a packed calendar to the City of Fort Walton Beach Tennis Center, with adult and junior tournaments, seasonal programming, and some exciting new facility additions on the horizon. On the heels of a hugely successful September, the momentum is only building. Here’s a look at what’s been happening on our courts and what’s ahead.
Junior & Adult Tennis Highlights
September was another strong month across our adult programs. Our regular schedule stayed steady, and we’re excited to have added a new Love 2 Learn program on Monday evenings from 7:00 to 8:00 PM, giving adults new to the sport another accessible entry point. The month closed on a meaningful note with our Rally Foundation Doubles Tournament on September 26, a great turnout for a great cause, raising funds and awareness for childhood cancer research.
On the junior side, our September 19 All-Girls Tennis Camp was a resounding success. The event filled to full capacity at 32 players, and after adding eight more spots to meet the demand, we still ended up with a waitlist. A huge thank you to every player and family who came out and made the day so memorable.
Looking ahead, October kicks off with our Adult L6 Open Tournament on October 3, a great opportunity for adult players to jump into competitive play right at home. On the junior side, mark your calendars for our Junior L6 Tournament on October 17, followed by a full lineup of Halloween-themed junior programming as we approach the 31st. Costumes, games, and plenty of court time — it’s going to be a fun way to close out the month.
Facility Update
We’re excited to share that two new sets of bleachers will be installed at the facility. This is a great upgrade for spectators at tournaments, matches, and events, and one more step toward making FWBTC a top destination for players and their families. Stay tuned for more details as installation gets underway.
Coaches Tip of the Month
Play one point at a time. Tennis is a game of ups and downs, you might hit a great shot one point and make an easy mistake on the next. The key is to stay focused on the point in front of you. Don’t worry about the last point, it’s already over, and don’t think too far ahead about the score or the outcome. Take a breath, get ready, choose your target, and focus on executing the next shot. If you make a mistake, reset and move on. If you hit a great shot, enjoy it and get ready for the next point. You can’t control every shot or every outcome, but you can control your focus, effort, and attitude. Play one point at a time and let the match take care of itself!