One of the highlights of the fall USTA Southern California’s junior tennis calendar is the JP Yamasaki tournament.  For over 35 years, the Level 4 JP Yamasaki has been one of the most popular and iconic tournaments in the Southern California junior tennis community.  This year is no different.  

The esteemed tournament honors JP Yamasaki, a beloved junior tennis player who passed away in a tragic skiing accident at the age of 15 on April 3rd, 1986.  JP was well-known among the tennis community and inspired many with his dedication to sportsmanship and passion for tennis.  After the tragic accident, JP’s parents – John and Kay Yamasaki – wanted to pay tribute to their only son by organizing a junior tournament in his memory.  With the help of Jim Hillman, junior director of USTA SoCal at the time, the first JP Yamasaki tournament was held in December 1986. 

Since then, the JP Yamasaki tournament has become a fixture in the southern California junior tennis circuit, drawing hundreds of participants each year.  Since its inception in 1986, the tournament has grown in scale and prestige and has provided a platform for generations of tennis families to come together and compete with some of the best talents.  Past participants include future tennis stars, Venus and Serena Williams, adding to the tournament’s legacy.  

The JP Yamasaki tournament is not only special because of its origin but also because of its commitment to junior development and making tennis more accessible.  Since 2006, revenue from the event has been used to fund private tennis lessons for 12-15 kids who otherwise could not afford lessons.    

As players, families, and coaches come together this October to compete for titles and support their athletes, they also pay tribute to JP’s passion for the sport and the values he stood for – sportsmanship, community and preservation. 

This year, the JP Yamasaki tournament will take place on October 12th to 20th with Anaheim Tennis Center as the main host site.  Other sites include Lakewood Tennis Center, El Dorado Tennis Center, Cabrillo Tennis Center, and Fullerton Tennis Center.