In the world of tennis administration, few names have carried as much respect and influence as Randy Stephens. A well-known figure in Georgia’s tennis community and a long-time contributor to the United States Tennis Association (USTA), Stephens has spent decades nurturing the sport at both grassroots and elite levels. His leadership, vision, and unwavering commitment to inclusivity and access have shaped tennis opportunities for players of all ages and abilities.
As of 2025, many who have followed his career or benefited from his programs are asking the same question: Is Randy Stephens still alive? This article offers a full update on his current status, details of his career, contributions to tennis, and the legacy he continues to build.
Is Randy Stephens Still Alive in 2025?
Yes, Randy Stephens is alive and well as of May 2025. He remains actively involved in tennis administration and community leadership, primarily through the USTA Georgia and USTA Southern organizations. While he has scaled back from the intense administrative responsibilities of the past, he continues to serve in advisory and mentoring roles, shaping the next generation of tennis leaders in the region.
His presence is still felt through ongoing projects and programs he helped establish, and he regularly participates in events, committee discussions, and strategic initiatives aimed at making tennis accessible for all.
Who Is Randy Stephens?
Randy Stephens is a prominent and highly respected tennis administrator from the state of Georgia. Over the course of more than three decades, he has served in multiple leadership capacities within the United States Tennis Association, including President of USTA Georgia, Chair of the USTA National Wheelchair Committee, and various other regional and national roles.
Stephens is widely credited with expanding the sport’s reach in underserved communities, advocating for athletes with disabilities, and creating a more inclusive and dynamic tennis environment. His reputation in the tennis world is one built on compassion, dedication, and the ability to connect strategy with purpose.
Beyond administrative accomplishments, Stephens is known for his personal commitment to volunteerism and his mentoring of young leaders in the tennis community.
A Lifetime of Service to Tennis
Stephens began volunteering for USTA Georgia more than 35 years ago. From those early days, he quickly rose through the ranks due to his relentless energy and strategic thinking. Whether organizing junior tennis camps, overseeing tournament operations, or planning long-term infrastructure developments, Stephens played a central role in elevating Georgia’s tennis programs to national prominence.
His initiatives were not limited to elite players. In fact, one of his most notable contributions was his advocacy for wheelchair tennis and players with physical disabilities. As Chair of the USTA National Wheelchair Committee, he worked to increase funding, visibility, and access to tournaments and training opportunities for athletes who had been historically underrepresented in mainstream tennis circuits.
Stephens also helped grow tennis at the grassroots level, ensuring that schools, local parks, and small communities had access to properly maintained facilities, coaching, and youth development programs.
Honors and Recognition
In acknowledgment of his decades-long impact, Randy Stephens has been inducted into both the Georgia Tennis Hall of Fame and the Southern Tennis Hall of Fame. These honors are given to individuals who have made significant, lasting contributions to the sport through leadership, integrity, and service.
In 2024, Stephens was honored at the annual USTA convention for 35 years of service. Colleagues and former protégés paid tribute to his ability to connect with players, coaches, and administrators alike. His unwavering passion for growing the game was noted as a defining characteristic of his leadership style.
Perhaps one of the most meaningful recognitions of his legacy is the Randy Stephens Tennis Center in Macon, Georgia. This facility serves as a hub for regional tournaments, community clinics, and inclusive tennis programming. The center stands as a living testament to the values Stephens has championed throughout his life.
Recent Activities and Roles
While he has stepped back from the most time-consuming administrative duties, Randy Stephens remains active in strategic and ceremonial roles. He currently serves on the USTA Georgia Nominating Committee, where his experience is vital in selecting capable, forward-thinking leaders for the organization’s future.
He also continues to attend national and regional tennis events as a guest speaker or mentor. His presence at USTA gatherings, junior tournaments, and adaptive sports expos continues to inspire volunteers and professionals who look to him as a role model.
Even in semi-retirement, Stephens is involved in discussions around facility development, coaching education, and outreach programming—areas he has long championed. His influence is especially evident in projects that aim to combine sports access with community wellness and education.
Legacy and Impact on the Tennis World
Randy Stephens’s contributions to tennis extend far beyond titles and formal positions. His legacy lies in the inclusive, community-focused vision of tennis that he has helped promote and protect.
In particular, his work in adaptive tennis and diversity outreach has made the sport more accessible to players from all walks of life. Whether it was creating wheelchair divisions in local tournaments or supporting coaching certifications for those working with special populations, Stephens was always at the forefront of expanding tennis beyond traditional boundaries.
He also influenced infrastructure policy, helping guide decisions that brought quality tennis courts and programs to rural and underserved areas throughout Georgia and the Southern section.
To many, Stephens embodies the spirit of tennis as a lifetime sport, not just for elite athletes but for every child, adult, or senior who picks up a racket. His mentorship has nurtured countless new administrators who now carry his values forward into their own leadership roles.
FAQs About Randy Stephens
Is Randy Stephens still alive in 2025?
Yes, Randy Stephens is alive as of May 2025 and remains engaged in tennis-related initiatives, particularly within USTA Georgia.
What is Randy Stephens best known for?
He is best known for his leadership in tennis administration, especially as former President of USTA Georgia and Chair of the National Wheelchair Committee. He is also widely recognized for promoting inclusivity and community tennis.
Where is Randy Stephens currently based?
He lives in Macon, Georgia, where the Randy Stephens Tennis Center stands as a symbol of his service to the sport.
Is he still active in tennis governance?
Yes, although he has stepped back from full-time roles, he continues to serve on the USTA Georgia Nominating Committee and participates in advisory capacities.
What kind of legacy has he left?
Randy Stephens has left a legacy of inclusion, leadership, and service. His work has expanded tennis opportunities for youth, disabled players, and communities with limited access to sports facilities.
Final Thoughts
Randy Stephens is more than a former tennis executive—he is a symbol of what sports leadership can achieve when guided by purpose and compassion. Alive and thriving in 2025, his continued involvement in tennis ensures that his influence remains a guiding force for future generations.
His decades of service have transformed tennis from a recreational pastime into a tool for social impact in countless Georgia communities. Whether through inclusive programming, youth mentorship, or strategic facility planning, Randy Stephens’s legacy lives on—both on and off the court.