Studies show that mental and physical health are inextricably linked. It’s why a brisk walk on a trail, a great set at the gym or a spin class that pushes us to the next level can lift our mood and clear our heads.
In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re sharing stories from around Lake Nona of the people, places and organizations supporting emotional well-being by inspiring a lasting passion for sport and movement.
Center Court, Center Stage
As the late afternoon sun fades over the USTA’s west courts, lights and shadows trade places. The hard lines of the courts, so sharp under midday sun, begin to soften as golden hour settles in.
Overhead, LED floodlights flicker awake, snapping bright halos into place above the nets. The courts become a floating stage as everything beyond the fences falls into blue-gray dusk.
Then, one by one, a distinct group of players begins to arrive.
Mondays at 6 p.m.
They meet at the net, trading greetings and smiles. Soon, the rhythm of racquets striking and shoes squeaking takes over.
They come from different backgrounds and generations. Some have been playing for years. Others are picking up a racquet for the first time.
What brings them together is simple: Monday nights. From 6 to 7:30 p.m., they gather for the USTA’s Military Tennis program.
What started in 2017 as a small group, just a handful of veterans finding common ground through the game, has grown into a welcomed weekly ritual.
Today, the program typically brings together 12 to 14 regular participants, with additional veterans from the Lake Nona VA Medical Center joining when they can.
Meeting in the Middle
They’ve served in every branch. Their experiences vary, but here, those differences matter less. Just as the overhead court lights bring uniformity to the court, everyone starts from the same place: one side of the net, one ball in play.
There’s structure to each session: warm-ups, drills, match play. But between points and games, there’s also space for conversation. With each serve, volley, and return, there’s room to recognize they’re creating new experiences from a shared past.
Why Tennis?
It’s easy to default to the line that tennis is “more than a game.” But here, it actually holds up.
If you’ve been inside USTA National Campus in Lake Nona, sat in the stands during a professional match, attended a lesson or clinic, or simply taken in the scale of the complex, it doesn’t feel like a cliché. It feels true.
For veterans and the instructors who teach them, tennis has a proven ability to spark passion and restore purpose.
By reducing equipment barriers and expanding access to courts and lessons, the United States Tennis Association is making the sport more accessible – and more meaningful – for those who serve and have served.
Beyond the Court
The program’s impact reaches well beyond Monday nights.
Participants have had the opportunity to travel to New York for the US Open, stepping onto the courts inside Arthur Ashe Stadium for clinics and once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
Recently, the Naval Academy Women’s team and retired Vice Admiral Sean Buck, former Superintendent of the Naval Academy, participated in the program – an experience many regular attendees still talk about.
Moments like these add to the program, but they don’t define it.
Most participants say what keeps them coming back is the familiarity. The consistency. The faces that show up, week after week.
Community Connection
As the United States Tennis Association Military Tennis program shows, a long-term passion for sport and movement can be a pathway back to connection. By bringing service members, veterans, and their families onto the court, the program creates space for physical activity, mental clarity, and something just as essential: community. It’s a philosophy that mirrors Lake Nona’s approach to wellness and isn’t built solely on gyms, trails, or fitness centers. It recognizes these places as hubs for shared experiences, support networks and the simple power of showing up together.
All veterans and service members are welcome to join the USTA Military Tennis program in Lake Nona at no cost. To register, contact tony.stingley@usta.com. If you’re not a veteran but would like to volunteer, learn more at: https://www.ustaflorida.com/about-us/volunteers/
