April 2025 Newsletter - USTA Southern California
April 2025 Newsletter

Level 5 Barbara Estes Friendship Team Cup

Entries are now open! The Barbara Estes Friendship Team Cup is back, and it’s bringing the excitement. This ONE-DAY Level 5 team tournament is your chance to build your own co-ed team and compete in a fun, high-energy event with your friends. A designated team captain will create the roster with a minimum of 2 boys and 2 girls (maximum 3 boys and 3 girls – you may do 2 boys and 3 girls or 3 boys and 2 girls as well) for singles and doubles play. Lunch, shirts, and awards will be provided for ALL participants. 

Due to the Easter holiday on April 20th, both 16s and 18s will play on April 19th. Don’t miss out—start assembling your dream team now!

FILA International Junior Championships

Southern California dominated the Junior titles, sweeping titles in all four events in the desert. SoCal players excelled, securing both doubles titles and reigning supreme in the singles draws. Huge congratulations to Jagger Leach, Julieta Pareja, and Thea Frodin for their outstanding victories!

Talbert Grant Accepting Applications

The Henry Talbert Summer Tennis Camp Scholarship Grant provides financial support to junior players ages 8-16 who are dedicated to improving their game but may not have the means to attend a summer tennis camp. Designed for families facing financial barriers, this grant covers up to $800 in camp fees and tuition for one week, giving young athletes the opportunity to develop their skills in a high-quality training environment. Applications will be accepted until April 19th, 2025.

If your child is passionate about tennis and could benefit from this opportunity, we encourage you to review the funding guidelines and application requirements before applying.

Junior Parent Webinars

Please join us for the Parent Webinar on April 15th at 6:30 PM featuring Paul Annacone. Topics will be announced at a later date.

Paul Annacone is a legendary figure in tennis, both as a former pro and a world-class coach. He’s guided some of the sport’s biggest icons, including 20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer, 14-time major winner and Palos Verdes native Pete Sampras, and 2017 US Open champion Sloane Stephens. Today, he’s shaping the game of Rancho Santa Fe’s own Taylor Fritz, the top-ranked American and current World No. 4.

Junior

Early Development Camps (EDC)

USTA Southern California Early Development Camps are the first step in the USTA Player Development Pathway. Our goal is to bring together SoCal 10 & Under players, who currently compete in Junior Circuit tournaments in order to practice and play together. Early Development Camps are developed and designed by the USTA High Performance Player Development and utilize local USTA trained coaches. 

This two-day camp emphasizes fundamentals and overall athletic development in a fun, educational environment while giving players an opportunity to earn playtracker points through match play. Players with excellent work ethic, commitment, talent, and attitude are encouraged to participate. 

The next EDC is on April 26-27 at MountainGate Country Club.

Big Ten Championships at The Ojai

The Big Ten Conference Women’s Tennis Tournament will be held in Ojai this year on April 23-26.

Come support our local SoCal teams!

Ultimate Sportsmanship Challenge

The Ultimate Sportsmanship Challenge began on March 1, 2025, and will culminate on December 31, 2025, with the chance to win a trip for two to the 2026 BNP Paribas Open.

Any SoCal player competing in USTA L3-L7 or Junior Circuit tournaments within the USTA SoCal section during the contest period is eligible to participate, and everyone is encouraged to vote!

To vote, download the Match Tennis App, where you can nominate a junior player who exemplifies sportsmanship. More details, including how to vote, can be found here

Thank you for helping us maintain a positive atmosphere at our tournaments. We look forward to a great season of competitive and sportsmanlike play!

Coaching  Workshops

Ready to step into the world of coaching? The USTA Coaching Fundamentals Workshop is a hands-on, two-day event designed to teach you how to coach tennis to beginners and low-intermediate players. Led by USTA-approved National Coach Developers, the workshop is open to anyone 18+, or minors 16+ with a signed waiver. It’s recognized by certifying organizations and ideal for those pursuing Level 1 Coach Certification. Pre-course completion is recommended for the best experience.

Below is the schedule for 2025 and links to register:

April 26-27: Templeton Tennis Ranch – Templeton
May 8-9: Scholl Canyon Golf and Tennis – Glendale
August 2-3: Santa Monica High School – Santa Monica
September 30-October 1: Time Tennis Clubhouse – Encino

USTA Southern California has partnered with the Positive Coaching Alliance for a free web series on positive coaching. The interactive workshops, led by experienced PCA Trainers, combine sports psychology and practical advice from top athletes and coaches.

Below is the schedule for 2025 virtual meetings and links to register:

– April 17: Culture Building: Honoring the Game
– August 14: Coaching with Empathy
– November 20: Culture, Practices, & Games

USTA SoCal Natural Disaster Relief Fund

Our tennis community has been deeply impacted by the recent Los Angeles-area wildfires, with beloved facilities like the Palisades Tennis Center and Altadena Town & Country Club now in need of repair. To support those affected, USTA Southern California has launched the Natural Disaster Relief Fund with a $500,000 goal to rebuild courts, replace equipment and clothing, cover entry fees, and help restore the joy of tennis in hard-hit areas like Pacific Palisades, Malibu, and Altadena.

You can make a difference by donating or bidding on exclusive auction items, including signed rackets and tennis balls from Serena Williams, Gael Monfils, Mirra Andreeva, and Simona Halep, tickets to the 2025 Laver Cup in San Francisco, a private clinic with Paul Annacone, Muhammad Ali’s signed Everlast gloves, and more.

Together, we can restore these courts, rebuild our community, and bring tennis back stronger than ever.

Junior Team Tennis Spring Season

The Junior Team Tennis Spring Season will be coming to a close in April.

Congratulations to all of the teams that will move on to the Sectional Championships on May 3-4 in Orange County!

Junior

Other Information

> SPORTSMANSHIP REMINDERS
– Keep your cool! Hitting a ball out of anger and striking someone is grounds for default and 10 suspension points.
– Do not engage with officials or players – If there is a dispute, PLAYERS—not spectators or parents—should call for an official.
– Know the Entourage Rule: Players are held responsible for the conduct of those associated with them—including parents, coaches, and spectators. Unsportsmanlike behavior, whether in person or online, can result in code violations, penalties or suspension points for the player.

> FEEFO: After every tournament, you should be receiving a tournament survey from Feefo. Please take a moment to fill out the survey(s). It’s very important when it comes time for the staff and Junior Comp Committee to award new bids and it also helps us improve our tournaments. Responses will remain confidential.

> BECOME AN OFFICIAL: We are looking for more people to become certified officials. Officials ensure fair play, sportsmanship, and smooth tournaments at every level—from local to professional. Serve as a Roving Umpire, Line Umpire, Referee, or Chair Umpire! If you’re interested, please start HERE.

> ENTRY FEES: Need help paying for entry fees? Please email Ai Takamori from USTA SoCal and we’ll try to help you! Player must be free of suspension points and grievances to receive assistance.

Tournament Schedule

CLICK HERE FOR THE APRIL 2025 TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE!

More tournaments may be added if there is a need for them so please check the USTA website for the most up-to-date information.

Deadlines are staggered by level so please make sure you are not double entering in tournaments.