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The wildfires sweeping through LA County have left an indelible mark on our community. The destruction caused by the fires is truly heartbreaking, and the challenges faced by so many — from the loss of homes to displacement and the overwhelming uncertainty that follows — are difficult to put into words. At USTA SoCal, our hearts go out to everyone impacted by this crisis.
ADULT TENNIS NEWS
ADULT LEAGUE PLAY WRAPS UP IN 2025 WITH TWO DECEMBER SECTIONALS
Adult League competition in the 2024 calendar year season wrapped up this past weekend, with the final event concluding during back-to-back weekends of Sectionals.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA OPEN TOUR TO RETURN FOR SECOND YEAR IN 2025
In every athlete there is a desire to prove themselves at the highest level. For four finalists of last year’s inaugural SoCal Open Tour, that chance will arrive in the 2025 SoCal Pro Series.
SOCAL ADULT AND JUNIOR LEAGUE PLAY REACHES NEW HEIGHTS IN 2024
As 2024 winds down, USTA SoCal is celebrating a banner year in league play. From Adult Leagues to Junior Team Tennis (JTT), the section shattered records and new reached milestones.
TEAM SOCAL RESULTS FROM 2024 USTA ADULT LEAGUE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Following the conclusion of the 2024 USTA Adult League season, the Adult League National Championships kicked off during the third weekend of October.
ADULT LEAGUE PLAYER PROFILE: SHEBA FAMILY ZAMAN-ZADEH
For 20 years, Sheba Family Zaman-Zadeh has faced the challenges of living with lupus, yet she has transformed adversity into triumph. Now, she’s a vibrant member of SoCal’s tennis community.
ADULT LEAGUE SECTIONALS RECAP: 55 & OVER AND MIXED 40 & OVER
Kicking off in September, the seventh and eighth Adult League Championships of the calendar year commenced in Southern California with 55 & Over and Mixed 40 & Over Sectionals.
JUNIOR TENNIS NEWS
CHAMPIONS CROWNED IN THE DESERT: JTT FALL SECTIONALS RECAP
The JTT Fall Sectional Championships concluded in Palm Desert with nearly 700 players battling it out December 14-15, hoping to be crowned champion before they left Tennis Paradise.
2024 SOCAL JUNIOR DOUBLES SECTIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS RECAP
One of the premier events of the calendar year for SoCal junior tennis, Jim Hillman Junior Doubles Sectionals took place over the last weekend of October and first weekend of November.
USTA SOCAL JUNIOR PROFILE: THIS IS… NEWPORT BEACH’S TRISTAN PHAM
Constantly taking initiative to lend a helping hand, Tristan Pham has gone above and beyond during his time in SoCal, working to make a difference in his community and the sport he loves so much.
USTA SOCAL JUNIOR TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR SPOTLIGHT: KEN SHOJI
Through his efforts of coaching and now directing tournaments, Beach Cities’ Ken Shoji has become a pivotal figure in the world of junior tennis, both in Southern California and internationally.
KATS KUP RECOGNIZES 40-PLUS YEAR CAREER OF MARTHA KATSUFRAKIS
When you ask Martha Katsufrakis about some of the players she remembers most fondly in her 40+ of working tennis in SoCal, she rattles off names like Austin, Sampras, Davenport, and the Bryans
HARD WORK PAYING OFF FOR COVINA’S JUNIOR STANDOUT EMMA ESTRADA
Emma Estrada has never been afraid to take the road less traveled. Instead of the traditional route, the 13-year-old from Covina has always wanted to challenge herself by doing the unexpected.
COMMUNITY TENNIS NEWS
STAY ACTIVE & PLAY HEALTHY: YOUR TENNIS WELLNESS TIPS FOR 2025
As we step into 2025, there’s no better time to prioritize staying active and healthy, especially here in Southern California, where the sun shines year-round and tennis is always in season.
BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED TENNIS PROGRAM LAUNCHES IN SOCAL
Blind and Visually Impaired (BVI) Tennis, also called Blind and Low Vision Tennis – with its signature belled balls – is booming, and last weekend it launched here in SoCal.
SMASH YOUR GIFT GAME WITH THE 2024 TENNIS HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE
Gift-giving can be a joyful experience, but it can also present challenges—especially when you’re searching for the perfect gift for everyone on your list. Here are some tennis gift ideas.
SOCAL TENNIS PODCASTS OUT TO EDUCATE AND ENTERTAIN
Regardless of your level or specific interests, chances are there’s a tennis podcast for you out there with a simple Google search or a scroll through the Spotify app.
USTA SOCAL OFFICIAL PROFILE: THIS IS… ORANGE COUNTY’S MARI TAYLOR
Mari Taylor’s unwavering passion and exceptional work ethic have had a profound impact within the SoCal tennis community, serving as both a USTA official and Adult Area League Coordinator.
SOCAL CLAIMS FOUR RSI CHAMPIONS OF TENNIS AWARDS IN 2024
Racquet Sports Industry (RSI) has announced the winners of its 24th annual Champions of Tennis Awards, recognizing excellence and dedication in the sport of tennis.
COLLEGE TENNIS NEWS
TENNIS ON CAMPUS SECTIONALS RECAP: UC SAN DIEGO REPEATS AS CHAMPS
Spanning the weekend of January 11th and 12th, the 2025 Southern California Tennis On Campus (TOC) Sectionals took place at the Barnes Tennis Center in San Diego.
USTA SOCAL COLLEGE PROFILE: THIS IS… CHINO HILLS’ BRANDON VU
Now competing in his first year at Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, Brandon Vu continues to shape his identity through a sport to which he has always felt a profound connection.
LONGTIME AZUSA PACIFIC COACH BOHREN NAMED ITA COACH OF THE YEAR
For his nearly 30-year coaching career, Azusa Pacific University coach Mark Bohren has made it a top priority to give SoCal juniors a chance to stay home and compete in their own backyard.
SOCAL’S RODITI, BOWEN LEAD TCU TO NCAA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Junior rivals growing up in Orange County, then teammates at TCU, Dave Roditi and Devin Bowen have come full circle to lead the Horned Frogs to their first-ever NCAA team championship.
AFTER 70 YEARS, THE OJAI TOURNAMENT SAYS GOODBYE TO THE PAC-12
It was a bittersweet ending as the venerable Ojai Tennis Tournament said goodbye to the Pac-12 Conference during the playing of the 122nd tournament at Libbey Park the last week of April.
SOCAL TEAMS AND PLAYERS GEAR UP FOR NCAA D1 CHAMPIONSHIPS
Teams that punched their ticket to the NCAA tournament are ready for play to begin this week. Selections have also been announced for the singles and doubles championships.
PRO TENNIS NEWS
SOCAL PLAYERS SET SIGHTS ON MAIN DRAW OF AUSTRALIAN OPEN
With the qualifying rounds of the 2025 Australian Open singles draw wrapping up on January 8th, players have begun gearing up for the start of the main draw in the first Slam of the new year.
BOYER, TIEN AMONG GROUP OF SOCAL PLAYERS TO WIN IN AUSTRALIA
Far away from the comfortable confines of the clay courts he trains on, Tristan Boyer was victorious in the first round of qualifying at the Australian Open in Melbourne.
SAN DIEGO ATP 100 TO REPLACE SAN DIEGO WTA 500 IN FEBRUARY
The WTA 500 played at the Barnes Tennis Center has been taken off the WTA 2025 calendar. A new ATP 100 Challenger will take its place running February 22-March 2.
TAYLOR FRITZ AND CARLOS ALCARAZ TO PLAY AT 2025 LAVER CUP IN NORCAL
Two of the brightest stars in men’s tennis, Carlos Alcaraz and Taylor Fritz, are the first players confirmed for the eighth edition of the Laver Cup in San Francisco, from September 19-21, 2025.
LINDSAY DAVENPORT, BOB BRYAN LEAD TEAM USA IN BJK AND DAVIS CUPS
In two of the final and most illustrious events of the year-long professional tennis season, two members of Southern California tennis royalty led the charge for the United States.
TORRANCE’S IVA JOVIC WINS RANCHO SANTA FE OPEN ITF W75 TITLE
For the third time this year, the 16-year-old Jovic won a title just down south via the 405/5 Interstate from where she grew up, capturing the ITF World Tour W75 RSF Open singles crown.
