SoCal Leaders Shine in Racquet Sports Industry’s
2025 Champions of Tennis Awards

The racquet sports world is celebrating its top contributors of the year, and Southern California is once again well-represented. Racquet Sports Industry (RSI) Magazine has announced its 2025 Champions of Tennis Awards, marking the 25th anniversary and honoring a record 38 winners across 34 categories for exceptional achievements in coaching, community impact, facility innovation, and grassroots development.

While the national spotlight is on Person of the Year Jodie Adams from Montana, Southern California also has much to celebrate. Adams embodies the spirit of the awards with decades of service in public parks and recreation, work that resonates with SoCal’s tennis legacy, where public courts form the backbone of participation and community connection. Alongside Adams, several regional leaders earned recognition for their significant contributions to the region’s thriving tennis community.

Southern California Honorees Making an Impact

Orange’s Wendi Eusebio, President of Serving Advantage, a youth-led nonprofit organization, has been a transformative force in adaptive tennis. Serving Advantage hosts clinics, private lessons, and camps for athletes with autism and other intellectual or developmental disabilities, creating opportunities for players to develop skills, form friendships, and build mentorship bonds. Under Eusebio’s leadership, the organization promotes inclusion on local, national, and even global levels, making tennis a sport truly for everyone.

For years, Eusebio has worked tirelessly to remove barriers to participation, developing programs that ensure athletes of all abilities have access to coaching, resources, and competitive opportunities. She has created welcoming environments at local clubs, community centers, and tournaments, fostering a sense of empowerment, community, and belonging for every player. By championing accessibility and inclusion, Eusebio embodies the very heart of Southern California’s tennis culture. Her exceptional dedication and impact have earned her the well-deserved honor of Adaptive Tennis Champion of the Year, celebrating her transformative influence on the region’s tennis community and beyond.

“Wendi Eusebio’s heart, leadership, and commitment to inclusion have transformed lives through tennis, ensuring every athlete, regardless of ability, has a place to belong and thrive,” said Esther Hendershott, Director of Community & Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.

A familiar and highly respected presence in Southern California tennis, Los Angeles-based Nancy Abrams has been named the USTA Coaching Member of the Year. During nearly 23 years at USTA Southern California, Abrams served as Manager of the TGA afterschool sports program, supervising and managing coaches. A passionate advocate for empowering women in tennis, she has long championed female coaches and athletes, mentoring them to pursue leadership roles both on and off the court. Her impact includes helping launch the Women & Girls Who Ace Conference, an event that celebrates and uplifts women in the sport, and playing a role in TIU Coaching Workshops.

In 2025, Abrams was brought on as an external consultant to support the launch of USTA Coaching, a nationwide initiative designed to provide education, resources, and support for coaches across the country. 

“Nancy has played a role in advancing the USTA Coaching community, offering critical guidance and support—particularly to women coaches who are shaping the future of tennis in Southern California and beyond,” explained Kevin Finkelberg, Director of Southern California USTA Coaching.

Adrian Bolton of Tecnifibre, based in Murrieta, has long been a trusted partner to coaches, clubs, and junior programs throughout Southern California. His unwavering dedication and support have been instrumental in strengthening player development and programs across the region and earned him the well-deserved honor of Sales Rep of the Year.

Why This Matters to Southern California

Southern California continues to be a national leader in tennis, fueled by a diverse community, world-class coaches, strong public park programs, and a commitment to accessibility. The region’s multiple honorees on RSI’s 25th annual list highlight the individuals driving the sport forward and building a vibrant, inclusive tennis community.

These awards recognize leaders whose creativity, passion, and dedication propel tennis across the region and beyond.

“Southern California’s tennis community continues to lead the way, not just in skill and competition, but in coaching, innovation, inclusion, and opportunity,” said Trevor Kronemann, Executive Director of USTA Southern California. “This year’s honorees reflect the passion and dedication that make our section a model for the rest of the nation. Their work strengthens our programs, inspires the next generation of players, and ensures tennis remains a game for everyone.”

The Champions of Tennis Awards highlight individuals and organizations whose dedication, sportsmanship, and community engagement set the standard for excellence. Southern California’s winners demonstrate the region’s enduring commitment to tennis, and we celebrate all of this year’s honorees for their extraordinary contributions to the sport.

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The complete roster of honorees appears in the January 2026 digital edition of Racquet Sports Industry Magazine.