July 2026 Newsletter
Junior Sectionals Results
The 124th Annual USTA Southern California Junior Sectional Championships concluded two weeks of high-level competition this June, showcasing nearly 500 of the section’s top players across venues in Beach Cities and Orange County.
The stakes were particularly high for the older divisions, as the top finishers in the 16s and 18s secured coveted wild card entries into an upcoming SoCal Pro Series event, alongside automatic qualification for the National Hard Court Championships this August.
> BOYS’ CHAMPIONS
18s – Brayden Tallakson
16s – Garran Mckay
14s – London Slaton
12s – Henrik Khemiy
> GIRLS’ CHAMPIONS
18s – Sophie Suh
16s – Charlotte Kim
14s – Lindy Zhou
12s – Alara Buyukuncu
Junior Awards Banquet
The USTA Southern California tennis community gathered at The Grand in Long Beach this June for the 2025-2026 Junior Awards Banquet, celebrating the section’s standout young athletes. The annual event recognizes junior players who excel not only through competitive excellence, but also through character, integrity, and dedication on and off the court.
> BOYS’ JUNIOR SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD
16s – JiHyuk Im
14s – Emry Lin
12s – Pavel Abadzhev
> GIRLS’ JUNIOR SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD
16s – Yilin Chen
14s – Nicole Handjono
12s – Kira Elliott
> BOYS’ MOST IMPROVED
Nile Ung
> GIRLS’ MOST IMPROVED
Lucy Jiang
> BOYS’ PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Andrew Johnson
> GIRLS’ PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Thea Frodin
> BOYS’ EVELYN HOUSMAN LIFETIME JUNIOR SPORTSMANSHIP
Adrien Abarca
> GIRLS’ EVELYN HOUSMAN LIFETIME JUNIOR SPORTSMANSHIP
Kenzie Nguyen
Level 2 Team Intersectionals
The Level 2 Team Intersectionals between SoCal, NorCal, Intermountain, and Pacific Northwest are coming soon. Be sure to enter by the entry deadline. Dates and sites can be found below with links to register.
Six boys and six girls from each section will be selected according to the National Standings list for a total of 24 boys and 24 girls. The players will then be waterfalled onto two teams of equal strength per section using the most recent ITF World Tennis Number.
> 12s Tournament Registration – September 18-20. Deadline is August 20 (Hosted by USTA SoCal)
> 14s Tournament Registration – August 28-31. Deadline is August 6 (Hosted by USTA Intermountain)
> 16s Tournament Registration – September 11-13. Deadline is August 13 (Hosted by USTA NorCal)
> 18s Tournament Registration – September 25-27. Deadline is August 13 (Hosted by USTA Pacific Northwest)
Discounted Level 7 Tournaments
In an effort to provide play and tournament opportunities in underserved areas, USTA SoCal has added a number of discounted Level 7 tournaments across the region. These tournaments are nearly free; once players play the tournament to completion, they will receive a refund minus fees (approximately $4.25).
Below is the 2026 schedule registration links as available:
– July 4-5: Warner Tennis Center, Woodland Hills
– July 5: Barnes Tennis Center, San Diego
– August 16: Cal State Northridge
– September 20: Trabuco Hills High School, Mission Viejo
– November 14-15: Lakewood Tennis Center
– December 20: Peninsula Racquet Club, Rancho Palos Verdes
Additional dates will be announced as they are confirmed. Register early to secure your spot!
Level Up Your Game with 10 & Under Early Development Camps!
The USTA Player Development pathway begins here, marking the first step for aspiring 10 and under Junior Circuit players. These camps bring together top young competitors in a structured environment designed for growth, learning, and competitive match play.
Developed in collaboration with USTA High Performance Player Development and led by trained local coaches, the program blends technical fundamentals, athletic development, and live match experience.
Players build strong technical foundations, improve athletic movement skills, gain match play experience with PlayTracker points, and develop confidence in a fun, competitive environment.
– July 25-26 at Burbank Tennis Center
– August 29-30 at Barnes Tennis Center
– December 19-20 at The Claremont Club
Junior Team Tennis Summer League
The SoCal Junior Team Tennis Summer League is officially underway! Registered teams are still accepting new players, so there is still an opportunity to join the action.
Top-performing section winners across eight divisions—including Green Dot, 12U/14U (L6 & L7), and 18U (L5-L7)—will earn a spot in the Summer Sectionals Championships. This exciting event will be held August 1 and August 2 at the Peninsula Racquet Club.
Sportsmanship Corner
If you competed at Junior Sectionals, you probably noticed a bold, sleek, new look taking over the fences around the tennis courts. We have officially begun rolling out our brand-new Sportsmanship Campaign. We are bringing a clear message across USTA SoCal tournaments: Wins Fade, Character Is Forever.
Winning a trophy is an incredible achievement, but rankings will shift up and down. The reputation and integrity you build on the court define who you are long after the final point is played. True sportsmanship isn’t just a player’s job, it’s a community effort. Along with our banners, you’ll see new spectator signage reminding parents, coaches, and friends that our courts have a Zero Tolerance Policy for improper behavior. These reminders are in place to ensure the best possible experience for our juniors.
We will continue to roll out new banners, sayings, reminders, and prizes thanks to our official USTA SoCal Sportsmanship sponsor, Tennis Warehouse. Keep your eyes peeled at your next SoCal tournament, pack your best attitude, and let’s make sure we celebrate great character as much as we celebrate great wins!
Recent Junior News
Stay connected to the world of junior tennis. Whether you’re a player, parent, or coach, we’ve got insights and inspiration for everyone!
> TANVI PANDEY, 14, AND SOPHIA WEBSTER EARN FIRST WTA POINTS TO OPEN SOCAL PRO SERIES IN IRVINE
> THE SOCAL STANDARD: COMPETING WITH CHARACTER IN JUNIOR TENNIS
We Are Here to Support You
> PARENT RESOURCES: We are here to support you. Explore guides on tennis etiquette, sportsmanship, SafePlay, frequently asked questions, and more to help you and your player succeed. View them HERE.
> MEDALLIA: After every tournament, you should be receiving a tournament survey from Medallia. 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.
> VIEW PREVIOUS NEWSLETTERS: Missed the past newsletter? View the archives HERE.
> JUNIOR FORMS & INFORMATION: Need details on USTA National Junior Tournaments, Wild Card Quota Criteria, or Team SoCal selection? Find all that, and more, on our website HERE.
> BECOME A USTA OFFICIAL: Want to help keep tournaments fair and fun? We are looking for certified officials at every level from local matches to professional events. Opportunities include Roving Umpire, Line Umpire, Referee, and Chair Umpire. GET STARTED.
Tournament Schedule
CLICK HERE FOR THE JULY 2026 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.
