The 2026 Special Olympics Florida State Tennis Championships hit new heights this past weekend, as more than 200 athletes, coaches, and volunteers from across Florida converged on the USTA National Campus in Lake Nona for two days of competition, connection, and pure joy.
Held May 1 & 2, 2026, this year’s State Championships marked another year USTA Florida and Special Olympics Florida have partnered to host the competition, something that has happened since 2014, and by every measure, the event continues to grow. Participation was at its peak with over 200 athletes, and 300 volunteers and coaches in attendance.
What started years ago with a few hundred athletes has steadily expanded into one of the most anticipated events on Florida’s adaptive tennis calendar. This year alone, athletes representing counties competed across Red, Orange, Green, and Yellow Ball divisions, with additional athletes showcasing their abilities in the Skills Competition. The growth isn’t just in numbers, it’s in the depth of the community that has formed around the event, from first-time competitors picking up a racquet for the first time to returning athletes proudly defending medals from prior years.
Justin Copertino, Senior Vice President of Operations for Special Olympics Florida said the energy on court told the whole story.
“Special Olympics is great because we’re giving these athletes an opportunity that they might not have. They get to get out here, compete at this beautiful facility, and get to play with their friends,” Copertino said. “The best thing is, at the end of the day, they get an award and the smiles that you see on their faces.”
For many athletes, the State Championships are the highlight of their year. Stacy Barnes, a Special Olympics Florida athlete from the Northwest Region, has been competing for almost 30 years and came back with the same goal as always; to play hard, make friends, and have fun.
“My favorite thing about tennis is the camaraderie, the friendships, and the fast pace on the courts” Barnes said, with a bright smile on her face. “Once you get involved in Special Olympics, you’re hooked for life. I should know best, I have been involved for 29 years.”
Barnes was also a member of the 2023 Special Olympics Florida Hall of Fame Class.
Behind every athlete on court is a parent, coach, or supporter who helped them get there, and at the State competition, those supporters are every bit as much a part of the experience as the players themselves.
The event also continues to thrive thanks to a dedicated volunteer base that grows alongside it. This year, more than 300 volunteers lent their time across both days, running matches, feeding balls, keeping score, cheering loudly, and making sure every athlete felt seen.
By the end of Saturday, gold, silver, and bronze medals, along with participation ribbons, had been distributed across every division, but the real takeaway had little to do with the hardware. It was the high-fives between competitors, the standing ovations for first-time players, and the reminder that tennis, at its best, is a sport for everyone.
Want to be part of next year’s State Championships? USTA Florida is always looking for volunteers and coaches to help grow adaptive tennis programming across the state. Learn more and get involved at ustaflorida.com/in-the-community/adaptive-and-wheelchair.