Tennis player finds family in Bonita Bay hosts during USTA championship

BONITA BAY, Fla. (WINK)—Tennis players from around the world come to Southwest Florida for the USTA Finemark Championship in Bonita Bay, and a group of local families have opened their doors to athletes traveling far from home.

For many of these players, coming to Bonita Bay means long travel days and a lot of unknown. Some of them aren't checking into hotels—they're walking into homes.

The Pinos hosted Fanny Stollar, who would be crowned doubles champion. What started as a simple place to stay turned into something much more like family.

"We said, we're picking you up at the airport. And she was shocked by that," Sherry Pino said.

The Pinos found out they were hosting Stollar only days prior to the 2024 tournament.

"We just connected so quickly. I was with her all day, it was just a wonderful experience," Sherry Pino said.

"They kind of adopt you for the week. It's nice to be in a home sometimes instead of a hotel room," Steve Pino said.

For players competing in high caliber events like the USTA Finemark Championship, the reality isn't always luxury.

"These are players playing on different circuits, so they have to kind of find their way, either stay at a hotel, either stay with a friend and pay their own way," Steve Pino said.

That's where the Bonita Bay community steps in.

"We were laughing already, and it was just a it was the beginning of a relationship," Sherry Pino said.

A relationship that didn't end when the tournament did.

"We've been to the US Open, we've been to Wimbledon and she got to the third round. So we went to every game and cheered for her. It was like a daughter," Steve Pino said.

For Stollar, the Pinos made a lasting impact.

"They were like a savior for me that week. And it was amazing. Honestly, it was the best week I had on the on the ITF tour that I played in my life," Stollar said.

In a sport filled with constant travel, this relationship found a way to last.

"I never developed actually, a relationship where we actually go see each other, and then, you know, we keep in touch like this, closely," Stollar said.

"They are like my grandparents, to be honest with you," Stollar said.