Adult Tennis News
CHAMPIONS RISE AT MIXED 40 & OVER SECTIONALS IN VENTURA COUNTY
The final Adult Sectionals weekend before Nationals brought an electric close to the season as Mixed 40 & Over teams took the court from September 26 through September 28.
ADULT 55 & OVER SECTIONALS BRINGS 600 PLAYERS TO COMPETE IN SAN DIEGO
With play spanning across NTRP levels from 6.0 to 9.0, each area champion fought for a chance to lead their team to a championship title and represent Team SoCal at Nationals.
SIX AREAS CLINCH LEAGUE NATIONALS BERTH AT 18 & OVER SECTIONALS
Over three weekends, more than 1,100 of SoCal’s top Adult League 18 & Over players competed a sectional championship and a ticket to USTA Leauge Nationals.
UNITED STATES CAPTURES AUSTRIA CUP TITLE WITH UNBEATEN RUN
The US Masters 55 Men’s team turned in a flawless performance at the 2025 Austria Cup, going undefeated to capture the world championship in Portugal.
40 & OVER RECAP: OC LEADS CHARGE AS FOUR AREAS CAPTURE FIRST TILES OF 2025
Held at premier San Diego venues, including Barnes Tennis Center, the event featured spirited match play across the 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, and Capstone 40 & Over Divisions.
MIXED 18 & OVER KICKS OFF 2025 SOCAL ADULT LEAGUE SECTIONALS SEASON
The start of the 2025 Adult Sectionals season began April 25–27 with over 500 USTA League players converging on Orange County for three days of competition.
Junior Tennis News
KEATON HANCE CLAIMS 2025 US OPEN JUNIOR BOYS’ DOUBLES CHAMPIONSHIP
Days after bowing out of the US Open junior singles draw, the 17-year-old Keaton Hance bounced back in the best way possible—hoisting a Grand Slam trophy.
FROM SET TO COURT: YOUNG STARS BALANCING HOLLYWOOD AND TENNIS
For these Southern California juniors, balancing two worlds is not just a challenge, it is a masterclass that will shape every role they play, both on stage and on the court.
CHARLIE COOPER RETURNS TO US OPEN FOR THE 20TH YEAR OF WHEELCHAIR TENNIS
One year after reaching both the Boys’ singles and doubles finals at the US Open Junior Wheelchair Championships, La Quinta’s Charlie Cooper is headed back to NYC.
SAN DIEGO’S ALYSSA AHN & OTHER TOP SOCAL JUNIORS AT USTA NATIONALS
SoCal’s top juniors shined at the 2025 L1 USTA Nationals: Alyssa Ahn and Thea Frodin won titles and US Open wild cards, while Andy Johnson finished runner-up.
ROAD TO US OPEN RUNS THROUGH KALAMAZOO FOR BOYS’ 16s AND 18s
For more than eight decades, the USTA Boys’ 16s and 18s National Championships, affectionately known as “Nats at the Zoo,” have been the gold standard of junior tennis in the United States.
SOCAL WILD CARDS BRING EXCITEMENT TO BJK NATIONALS GIRLS’ 18s DRAW
Whether they’re returning champions, rising stars, or gaining experience between the junior and pro circuits, these players reflect the depth and competitive fire that define SoCal tennis.
Community Tennis News
HHM FEATURE: TWO FLAGS, ONE PASSION – ERNESTO “NETO” ESCOBEDO III
Born in LA to Mexican parents, Neto carried the flags of both the United States and Mexico during his playing days, becoming a symbol of bicultural pride for both communities.
USTA SOCAL FEATURE: BEYOND THE BASELINE – ESTHER AVILA-HENDERSHOTT
As USTA SoCal’s Director of Community & DEI, Esther Avila-Hendershott has spent 30 years making tennis accessible and welcoming for thousands of players across SoCal.
FROM PLAYER TO MENTOR: THE COACHING JOURNEY OF TIGRAN MARTIROSYAN
This October, National Coaches Month shines a spotlight on the coaches who guide athletes not just to success, but toward growth, resilience, and joy in the sport.
FINDING THE PERFECT TENNIS COACH IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
A great coach is essential for any prospective player. They not only teach the fundamentals, but also help motivate you to improve, succeed, and reach your potential.
MASTERING SPORTSMANSHIP: HOW TO HANDLE REAL TENNIS CHALLENGES
At USTA Southern California, we believe mastering sportsmanship in tennis is just as important as perfecting your serve or groundstrokes.
USTA SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA PROFILE: BEYOND THE BASELINE – MICHAEL SCALERA
As USTA SoCal’s Event Production Coordinator, Michael Scalera is the force behind the section’s wide range of in-person experiences—including Adult Sectionals and the SoCal Pro Series.
College Tennis News
KATE FAKIH’S AANHPI ROOTS, JUNIOR DOMINANCE, AND COLLEGE ASCENSION
A winner at every stage of her young life, UCLA Bruin Kate Fakih has already built a résumé on the tennis court that many dream of, and she’s done it all by the age of 18.
BIG CHANGES, BIG DESCISION LOOMS FOR LONG BEACH’S ANDY NGUYEN
Andy Nguyen was happy with the way his first two years went playing for UC-Irvine. He liked the fun and carefree nature of his teammates. He liked his coach. But something was missing.
SOCAL SCHOOLS WIN BIG AT NCAA DIVISION I CONFERENCE TOURNAMENTS
Whether it was UCLA’s historic Big Ten title, UC Irvine’s comeback in the Big West, or San Diego State’s grit in the Mountain West, Southern California tennis stood tall.
NEW-LOOK OJAI TOURNAMENT FIRST TO FEATURE BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIP
While some things never change in Ojai, for the first time ever there will be new school banners lifted in historic Libbey Park with the Big Ten hosting their women’s championship.
UC SAN DIEGO REPEATS AS TENNIS ON CAMPUS SECTIONAL CHAMPIONS
Fourteen unique schools were represented in San Diego, with many sending multiple teams from their clubs to compete, all vying for the opportunity to advance to 2025 Nationals.
BIG TEN WOMEN COMING WEST FOR CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT AT THE OJAI
USC and UCLA will still remain part of the storied tradition of The Ojai as women’s teams from the Big Ten Conference will be part of the 123rd Annual Ojai Tennis Tournament.
Pro Tennis News
KAYLA DAY WINS 7TH PRO SINGLES TITLE AT TEMPLETON TENNIS RANCH
Santa Barbara’s Kayla Day was serenaded by a couple hundred fans who sang her Happy Birthday following her seventh pro singles title at the Central Coast Tennis Classic.
ONCE SOUR ON COLLEGE TENNIS, NEW GRAD CASTILLO SETS SIGHTS ON PROS
At 16, Midori Castillo Meza was flying alone to Egypt, chasing WTA ranking points in the ITF Futures circuit. She still remembers the mix of fear and excitement that came with those trips.
TAYLOR FRITZ SEALS THE DEAL FOR TEAM WORLD AT 2025 LAVER CUP
Rancho Santa Fe’s Taylor Fritz was the man of the moment at the 2025 Laver Cup, bringing the Southern California heat to the Bay and clinching the win for Team World.
SOCAL DUO FRITZ AND MICHELSEN MAKE HISTORY AT LAVER CUP IN NORCAL
For the first time in the history of the Laver Cup, two players with Southern California roots will represent Team World on one of tennis’ grandest stages in San Francisco.
TORRANCE’S IVA JOVIC MAKES HISTORY WITH WTA 500 WIN AT 17 YEARS OLD
Seventeen and unstoppable. Torrance native Iva Jovic made history at the 2025 Guadalajara Open (WTA 500), turning a single week into a series of unforgettable milestones.
FROM VENUE TO CONTENDERS, USTA SOCAL CASTS ITS LONG SHADOW ON THE US OPEN
Before you even see a ball hit at the US Open, the engaging and enduring impact of the USTA Southern California section is present at the Billie Jean King Tennis Center.
