May 2025 Newsletter - USTA Southern California
May 2025 Newsletter

50 Years of Rivalry: Meet Team SoCal for the 2025 Maze Cup

We are delighted to announce this year’s Maze Cup team representing Team SoCal! This annual event brings together the top junior players from Southern and Northern California for a fun and competitive team showdown.

This year’s SoCal team features some of our brightest young talents:

– BOYS’ 18s: Nathaniel Suh (Orange) and Brayden Tallakson (Irvine)
– GIRLS’ 18s: Yilin Chen (San Diego) and Rachel Lee (San Diego)
– BOYS’ 16s: Adrien Abarca (Chula Vista), Kai Abarca (Laguna Hills), and JiHyuk Im (Irvine)
– GIRLS’ 16s: Brooke Kwon (Diamond Bar), Sophie Suh (Orange), and Kara Garcia (Sylmar)

Coaches Mark Hanson and Gail Brodsky-Hanson will guide the team.

This year, Northern California will host the event at the historic Berkeley Tennis Club. Many SoCal Maze Cup alumni—like Pete Sampras, Lindsay Davenport, Michael Chang, and the Bryan Brothers—have gone on to play professionally. It’s a proud tradition and a great opportunity for our players to shine.

Register Now for Junior Sectionals!

The entries for the 123rd Annual USTA Southern California Junior Sectional Championship are now open. Tournament dates are June 7-8 and June 13-15 in Lakewood and surrounding areas.

Players from the 18s and 16s will have an incredible opportunity to earn a wild card to the 2025 SoCal Pro Series. The winner of the 18s and 16s will also secure a spot on Team SoCal’s Battle of the Sections team in late July! The Winner and Finalist from each division will receive direct entry into the USTA Level 1 National Championships (“Hard Courts”).

Juniors

Exclusive Perk: Save 15% on Carlos Alcaraz Academy Junior Camps

For the first time EVER, Carlos Alcaraz Academy Tennis Camps are coming to the US, and only to Southern California in year one. Junior players, this is your chance to train like a Grand Slam champion—with the intensity, mindset, and fire that made Carlos Alcaraz a global tennis sensation.

Led by official coaches from the Carlos Alcaraz Academy in Spain, these elite camps go beyond your average summer experience, offering 30 hours of high-intensity training focused on strategy, technique, fitness, and values. It’s more than just tennis—it’s about building character, confidence, and lifelong friendships.

> USTA Southern California members save 15% with code USTASOCAL at checkout.

Spots are limited. Don’t miss your shot, register now!

Apply Now: Carlos Alcaraz Academy Scholarships Available

USTA Southern California Exclusive! Four junior scholarships are offered to attend a one week session at the Carlos Alcaraz Academy Tennis Camp.

Two scholarships are for the San Diego Junior Camp and two are for the Los Angeles Junior Camp. Junior players between 6-18 years old may apply. All ability levels are welcome.

Junior

Level Up Your Game with 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 Southern California 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.

Don’t let the rain stop you—join us for the next EDC on May 10-11 at Mountain Gate Country Club! It’s going to be epic, and we can’t wait to see you there!

Mark your calendars for the June 21-22 EDC at Cal State Los Angeles. It’s the perfect chance to level up your game!

Just Launched: First Ever JTT Summer Flex League

We are excited to launch our inaugural Junior Team Tennis (JTT) Summer Flex League, offering a fun and flexible way for young players to compete this season. The league will feature five divisions—12U Novice, 12U Intermediate, 14U Novice, 14U Intermediate, and 18U Intermediate—, giving teams the chance to qualify for the Summer Sectional Championships on August 2.

Players will compete in two to five matches between June 1 and July 27 to earn a spot at Sectionals. The $30 entry fee includes participation in the Summer Sectionals, as well as summer swag, exciting giveaways, and trophies for both winners and finalists.

Each team must include a minimum of four players and be led by a SafePlay-approved coach or parent. Teams will compete in dual matches that include both singles and doubles play.

This new league is a great opportunity to stay active, improve skills, and enjoy the spirit of team competition over the summer. We look forward to seeing your team on court!

Relive the Action of the Friendship Cup

Congrats to our champions and finalists of the Friendship Cup!

> 18s CHAMPIONS Lebron James Fan Club: Trevor Nguyen (C), Ethan Jacob, Kylie Nguyen, Jiah Lee

> 18s FINALISTS – Aura Farmers: Mackenzie Lukin (C), lan Sweeney, Nicholas Lilov, Oskar Rouse, Cassie Donar, Emilie Lew

> 16s CHAMPIONS – The Pink Drinks: Gavin Maddan (C), Isaiah Parra, Aubrey Meis, Ryan McManus 

> 16s FINALISTS – Fantastic Four: Andy Deng (C), Aiden Zadeh, Valerie Machikawa, Carolyn Hu

Team SoCal Junior Webinars

Please join us for the Team SoCal Junior Webinar on May 20th at 6:30pm! Special guest will be legendary tennis coach Paul Annacone. Webinar topics will be announced at a later date.

Register or explore previous webinars using the links below:

Junior USA

Team SoCal Junior Highlights & News

Two SoCal standouts — Andy Johnson and Indra Vergne — have been selected to compete on the international stage and represent Team USA. Read more about them here!

Our SoCal juniors brought the heat to the Level 1 USTA National Spring Championships – the FILA Easter Bowl! From fierce rallies to national titles, these athletes put their skills on full display at one of the premier junior tournaments in the country. Read the recap here!

Catch up on the latest junior news below:

Accept the Challenge: 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!

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, Simona Halep, and other pro stars, 2025 Laver Cup tickets, a private clinic with Paul Annacone, a ½ hit with Marcos Giron, 1 Hour Hit/Lesson and Lunch with Brad Gilbert, and more.

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

Other Information

> SPORTSMANSHIP REMINDERS
– Coaching during matches is prohibited – Offering advice, gestures, or signals is not allowed. (Exception: Coaching is only permitted during the 3- or 10-minute rest period after the second set and before a 10-point match tiebreak or full third set.)
– Call lines fairly and honestly – If unsure, give the benefit of the doubt to your opponent.
– Respect officials and tournament staff – Their role is to ensure a fair playing environment.
– Maintain composure – Reacting negatively to calls or situations does not reflect good sportsmanship.

> 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.

> PARENT RESOURCES: We’re here to support you! From tennis etiquette and sportsmanship to USTA SafePlay and FAQs, we have lots of resources available to help. View them HERE.

> JUNIOR NEWS: Stay in the know with everything happening in the junior tennis space. View the Junior News HERE.

Junior

Tournament Schedule

CLICK HERE FOR THE MAY 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.