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ADULTS & JUNIORS BREAKING RECORDS
As 2024 winds down, USTA Southern California is celebrating a banner year in league play. From Adult Leagues to Junior Team Tennis (JTT), the section shattered records and achieved participation milestones not seen since before the COVID-19 pandemic. These successes mark a remarkable rebound and a testament to the strength of SoCal’s vibrant tennis community.
ADULT TENNIS NEWS
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.
USTA SOCAL ADULT PROFILE: THIS IS… L.A.’S BRENNA OPELKA
With her family’s strong ties to tennis, Brenna is now forging her own path both in her career and on the tennis court, creating a legacy in a sport close to her family’s heart.
THREE WEEKS IN THE BEACH CITIES: 2024 ADULT 18 & OVER SECTIONALS RECAP
For the first time ever, USTA Southern California held its Adult Sectionals over three consecutive weekends, spanning from the final weekend of July until the second weekend in August.
ADULT LEAGUE CAPTAIN SPOTLIGHT: SGV’S EILEEN AND RON YIP
Eileen and Ronald Yip have quickly emerged as two of the sections’ best leaders, captaining their San Gabriel Valley USTA League teams with integrity, professionalism, grit and sportsmanship.
JUNIOR TENNIS NEWS
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.
TORRANCE’S IVA JOVIC WINS SINGLES AND DOUBLES AT USTA GIRLS’ NATIONALS
Over the past two weeks, nearly 400 of the nation’s top junior tennis players competed at the USTA Billie Jean King Girls’ 16s and 18s National Championships in San Diego.
COMMUNITY TENNIS NEWS
GABY MILLAN HAS TENNIS AND TEENS ON THE RISE IN SOUTH SAN DIEGO
Tennis has fast become one of the major focuses and top priorities for Gaby Millán, Executive Director for the Teens Rise Foundation, a South San Diego foundation started in 2018.
PAIR OF TENNIS COACHES MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES
As Hispanic Heritage Month comes to a close on October 15th, the following is a closer look at two individuals who are making a difference in their communities on and off the tennis court.
BJK BECOMES FIRST WOMAN AWARDED CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL
Last week, President Biden signed into law legislation to award Billie Jean King the Congressional Gold Medal, making her the first female athlete to be awarded this honor.
COURTS INITIATIVE MEANS MORE PLAY TIME FOR SOCAL TENNIS PLAYERS
In an effort to make the game more accessible, USTA SoCal has launched a new courts initiative that will focus on helping facilities refurbish older courts from disrepair and more.
TENNIS IS A NEWFOUND PASSION FOR SAN DIEGO ENTREPRENEUR TONY LEY
Antonio Ley founded Club Raquetas, a cross-border athletic and social club with the goal to grow tennis in the South Bay region, particularly within the Mexican-American community.
FREE HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH EVENT IN LA TO SHOWCASE INCLUSION
Set for Saturday, September 21, from 10 am to 1 pm at the Cal State LA Tennis Complex, this free event is a celebration of tennis accessibility and community engagement.
COLLEGE TENNIS NEWS
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.
CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT TIME FOR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SCHOOLS
As the regular college tennis season reaches its climax, the excitement escalates among teams and players preparing for the pinnacle of competition: the Conference Championships.
PRO TENNIS NEWS
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.
USTA PRO CIRCUIT RETURNS TO SOCAL IN TEMPLETON, RANCHO SANTA FE
Two prominent SoCal clubs will host ITF World Tour and USTA Pro Circuit W75 tournaments offering $60,000 in singles and doubles prize money over the next two weeks.
TAYLOR FRITZ REACHES FIRST CAREER GRAND SLAM FINAL AT 2024 US OPEN
Defeating fellow American Frances Tiafoe in the semis of the US Open, SoCal’s own Taylor Fritz made history on Friday, clinching his first career appearance in a Grand Slam final.
US OPEN PREVIEW: CATCH ALL THE ACTION AS PLAY BEGINS ON MONDAY
A long list of #TeamSoCal names will be playing in this year’s US Open, led by Iva Jovic of Torrance, who won Girls’ Nationals, received a wild card into the main singles draw.
LEARNER TIEN TAKES FOURTH 2024 SOCAL PRO SERIES TITLE IN LAKEWOOD
The Learner Tien Express roared through Lakewood on Sunday as the 18-year-old phenom from Irvine won his 25th consecutive match and fifth straight professional title.
PASADENA’S KINARD ADVANCES TO SOCAL PRO SERIES SEMIFINALS
For Tori Kinard, playing pro tennis continues to be a dream that will not die. Over the past 18 years, the 36-year-old has played in close to 300 ITF tournaments in search of a first pro singles title.
