Dave “Koz” Kozlowski is a true legend in the world of Florida tennis, and he turns 80 tomorrow.
Koz has been a member of the RSPA (formerly USPTA) for 56 years. He was a close friend and collaborator of Florida Tennis founder Jim Martz and remains a valued and cherished contributor to the magazine today.
One of the first 17 Master USPTA Professionals, Koz has been recognized with honors including USTA Broadcaster of the Year, USPTA Pro of the Year, and The Jim Martz Media Excellence Award. He is also the creator of the beloved Inside Tennis with the Koz program.
Koz was inducted into the United States Professional Tennis Association of Florida Hall of Fame in recognition of his lifelong commitment to the sport. During his career, he worked with former world No. 1 Monica Seles at Laurel Oak Country Club, where he served as the inaugural Director of Tennis. He has long been celebrated for his insightful commentary and memorable interviews with tennis legends.
Koz is often the very first interviewer many young players meet, including Coco Gauff at Little Mo tournaments. He has always had a special gift for making those moments meaningful for young athletes and their families.
He is also a beloved fixture at the Sarasota Open, where players and fans alike gravitate toward him. Tommy Paul famously took great joy in permanently “borrowing” Koz’s hat during an on-court trophy ceremony — one of many classic Koz moments.
Even after suffering a debilitating bicycle injury in recent years, Koz has persevered and remained a passionate advocate for the sport. It is an absolute privilege to call Koz both a friend and a mentor.
Here at Florida Tennis, it is difficult to find the right words to express how much we love and cherish Koz. So we’ll borrow some words from the man himself, familiar to anyone who has enjoyed his outstanding show, Inside Tennis with the Koz:
“In tennis scoring, love means nothing, but love of the game means everything. Let’s keep alive our love of the game together.”
Forgive us, Koz, for borrowing your great line and adjusting it for the occasion:
In tennis scoring, love means nothing, but love of the Koz means everything. Let’s keep alive our love of the Koz together.
We love you, Koz. Happy Birthday, and all our love to you and your wonderful family!
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Written by Adam Ross, a contributing writer and podcast host for Florida Tennis. He won the Miami Open’s Jim Martz Media Award in 2024. He volunteers for the USTA Florida and the Tennis Collectors of America/TCA.