USTA Florida has announced Travis Tressler as its newest tennis instructor who will help oversee the growth at the four public tennis sites of Play Tennis Gainesville, directed under the USTA Florida Tennis Management Division, beginning Oct. 21, 2019. Tressler is an accomplished junior competitive player who brings a strong background in coaching to the new role, serving most recently as a tennis instructor at the Atkins Tennis Center in Champaign, Ill.
“We are pleased to have Travis on board,” said USTA Florida Director of Tennis Management Frank Swope. “With his addition, USTA Florida can significantly expand its mission to grow tennis and enhance our program, event, and lesson offerings at the four sites under the Play Tennis Gainesville banner.”
Tressler will work closely with Head Pro Christopher Champion, a USPTA Elite Professional, to oversee those four sites: Joyce Oransky Tennis Center at Westside Park (located at 1001 NW 34 St.), Tom Petty Park (400 NE 16th Ave.), TB McPherson Park (1717 SE 15th St.), and Northside Park (5751 NW 34th St.). Together, Tressler and Champion will design and deliver innovative programming specifically for the Gainesville tennis and racquet sports community.
A USTA junior competitive player since the age of 7 who entered the top 100 in the Midwest boy’s 18s, Tressler was born and raised in Champaign, Ill., where his love of the game was heavily influenced by his family. He landed his first tennis coaching job at the age of 16 in his hometown and eventually helped lead several youth teams to Illinois High School Association sectional title matches and finishes. He went on to attend the University of Alabama where he was a member of the club tennis team and served as team manager for the D1 men’s tennis team.
Tressler also has a strong connection to the Gainesville area. “My father was the women’s assistant tennis coach for the University of Florida during the early 90’s,” he said. “I grew up loving University of Florida athletics, so I hope to get out to some football games at the Swamp when I’m not on the court!”
Along with his extensive coaching experience, Tressler will be qualified to teach a wide variety of programs for Play Tennis Gainesville. Swope believes Tressler’s expertise, energy, and love of the game will have a positive impact on Gainesville’s tennis community and, in turn, help draw in new players.
“His background in the sport will allow us to offer more beginner programs and lessons, new junior programs for all ages and abilities, adaptive tennis, family & social play, along with other opportunities as they arise at all four locations,” said Swope. “We’re really looking forward to further serving the community in this great city.”
“I’m extremely lucky to have the opportunity to work with Play Tennis Gainesville,” added Tressler. “I hope to continue the success USTA Florida and Chris Champion have had growing the game in this city, to give everyone who comes out to a Play Tennis Gainesville facility the best experience as possible.”
ABOUT USTA FLORIDA TENNIS MANAGEMENT
The USTA Florida Board of Directors in 2017 unanimously approved the creation of a new Tennis Management Division to promote and develop tennis in Florida. USTA Florida Tennis Management delivers high-quality tennis programs, teaching pros and management, utilizing USTA networks and partnerships to ensure tennis grows in local communities for all ages and demographics. USTA Florida Tennis Management is raising the standards for tennis programming and facility management across the state of Florida. For more information go to ustaflorida.com/tennismanagement