USTA SoCal Hosts National Player Development
Camp at The Claremont Club

On April 26-27, USTA Southern California proudly hosted the National Player Development Camp at The Claremont Club, an exciting opportunity for top junior tennis players born in 2013/2014 to immerse themselves in world-class training and development. The event was part of the annual Sectional Camps, which are held in all 17 USTA Sections. These two-day camps bring together 24 players (12 girls/12 boys) to focus on player identification and development, offering a chance for young athletes to enhance their skills, learn from expert coaches, and gain invaluable insights into their tennis journey.

Each year, Sectional Camps are organized with clear objectives aligned with the regional and national camp standards. The players invited to this year’s camp were selected by the Section Player Development staff, Coaches Commissions, and Player ID, ensuring that the event hosted the most promising young talents in the region. Throughout the camp, players were coached by eight developmental coaches from USTA SoCal, with lead faculty coaches, Maureen Diaz and Danielle Lao, brought in to guide the sessions.

Maureen Diaz, the Women’s National Coach of Player Development at Carson, has been a dedicated member of USTA for over a decade. Specializing in the development of players 14 and under, Maureen has made a lasting impact on countless athletes. As she shared in a USTA Employee Spotlight, her favorite part about working at USTA is the opportunity to “build meaningful relationships, positively influence people’s lives, and continue learning every day.” Her passion for coaching and commitment to personal and professional growth shine through in everything she does.

Danielle Lao, a former WTA player from Pasadena, made her mark on the tennis world before transitioning to coaching. After playing collegiate tennis at the University of Southern California, Danielle went on to achieve a career-high singles ranking of 152, along with four singles titles and three doubles titles on the ITF Women’s Circuit. Now, as a coach, she is passionate about guiding the next generation of players. “I get so inspired after doing these USTA Camps. Collaborating with other coaches to educate and guide young players and their parents on this journey has become one of my favorite things to do,” Lao shared on Instagram after the camp.

Training and On-Court Sessions

The camp kicked off with a welcome session where coaches and players set clear objectives for the weekend. From the start, it was evident that this event would focus on all aspects of player growth, both mentally and physically. Throughout the two days, players participated in on-court sessions that included technical drills, match play, and DartFish filming to analyze their techniques. These tools provided personalized feedback to help refine each player’s game and track their progress.

Warm-ups and daily mental practice were incorporated into the routine, helping the young athletes mentally prepare for each session and learn how to stay focused during high-pressure situations. Players were split across courts 17-24, where they received hands-on coaching from USTA Working Coaches Barry Friedman, Jordan Harris, Hank Lloyd, Cecil Mamiit, Chris Numbers, Cheryl Smallwood (Kindred), Jeffrey Smallwood, and Morisa Yang.

The camp also offered a chance for players to simulate real-match conditions through BJK/Davis Cup-style match play. This experience gave the athletes valuable exposure to competitive play while emphasizing strategy, decision-making, and mental toughness.

Seminars and Parent Engagement

In addition to the on-court training, the camp featured a series of valuable seminars aimed at enhancing the players’ overall development. On April 26th, the players took part in “Engagement, Pt. 1,” a session designed to help them stay mentally focused and connected with the game. Parents were also invited to learn about key topics such as scheduling guidelines and injury prevention during informative sessions led by experts like Jacob Jung and Lao.

On April 27th, Paul Annacone, a renowned coach with decades of experience, shared his insights on player development and growth with the parents, discussing key themes that can support their children’s long-term tennis journey. Annacone also spent time walking the courts, offering valuable coaching tips and engaging with the players, helping to bridge the gap between player and parent development.

Later that day, the players participated in “Engagement, Pt. 2,” where they deepened their understanding of mental focus and engagement during competition. The sessions gave them the tools to stay engaged and maintain a positive mindset when faced with challenges on and off the court.

Player Feedback and DartFish Media

One of the unique features of the camps is the use of DartFish Media to support the development of each player. After the camp, both players and parents received detailed feedback based on the camp objectives, as well as access to a personalized DartFish Media page. This resource provided valuable video analysis and insights into their strengths and areas for improvement, helping players track their progress and continue developing their skills after the event.

A Bright Future Ahead

By the end of the camp, each player had not only received top-tier coaching but also gained critical tools to support their mental and physical growth. The combination of technical training, mental practices, and personalized feedback gave these young athletes the chance to reflect on their progress and set new goals for the future. As the camp wrapped up with a cool down and journaling session, players were encouraged to take note of their experiences and use them as a foundation for their ongoing development.

The National Player Development Camp was a resounding success, and USTA Southern California is proud to continue supporting the growth of young tennis players in our region. The event provided these athletes with the skills, insights, and confidence they need to take their game to the next level. With ongoing opportunities like this, USTA SoCal remains dedicated to helping young athletes reach their full potential on and off the court.

“We are truly grateful to have reinstated these camps within our section following the challenges brought on by COVID. These camps reflect a strong and meaningful partnership between the sections and USTA National, offering an exceptional platform for our top young athletes to train, compete, and grow together,” Diaz shared. “Beyond the court, these experiences serve as a valuable resource for parents and coaches, fostering shared learning and deeper engagement. As we know, it takes a village to raise a player—and this long-standing Player Development model continues to be a vital bridge that connects and empowers our tennis community at every level.”

Participating Players

Pavel Abadzhev, Isabella Ball, Alara Buyukuncu, Roman Gabriel, Thomas Gamble, Kade Grover, Yuna Guo, Lucy Jiang, Imangali Kanat, Henrik Khemiy, Reed Kuai, Lucas Liu, Grace Malhotra, Lerong Yao, Siva Pfanshmidt, Lyla Qian, Mathias Simon, Gaelan Thompson-Healy, Anthony Urtis, Cordelia Skye Williams, Kate Zhang, Lindy Zhou, and Ziruo Zhu.

Coaching Staff

– Lead Coaches: Maureen Diaz and Danielle Lao

– Working Coaches: Barry Friedman, Jordan Harris, Hank Lloyd, Cecil Mamiit, Chris Numbers, Cheryl Smallwood (Kindred), Jeffrey Smallwood, and Morisa Yang

– USTA Staff: Dianne Matias and Paige Hassenplug

As we look to the future, USTA Southern California remains committed to fostering the next generation of tennis champions. With events like this, we’re excited to help young players develop their skills, build their confidence, and set them up for success both on and off the court. Stay tuned for more updates on player development programs in our region!