News
Adult Tennis News
HOW USTA ADULT LEAGUES BROUGHT THIS FATHER-DAUGHTER DUO CLOSER
For Kennett Lai and his daughter, Ashleen, Father’s Day isn’t celebrated around a backyard barbecue or on a phone call. It’s celebrated on a tennis court.
ROZ KING IS PROOF AGE IS NEVER A BARRIER TO COMPETITION OR SUCCESS
While most people fortunate enough to reach the age of 88 are content to enjoy quieter days, San Diego’s Rosalie ‘Roz’ King is doing quite the opposite.
ORANGE COUNTY HOSTS TWO WEEKENDS OF TRI-LEVEL SECTIONALS TO CAP 2025
Back-to-back weekends of Sectionals in Orange County marked the conclusion of the 2025 Adult League season, drawing nearly 1,200 competitors from all 13 areas of the section.
TINA KARWASKY AND TEAM CLINCH GOLD AT 65 & OVER INTERSECTIONALS
For nearly 15 years, Tina Karwasky has captained Southern California’s Women’s 55s and 65s teams to strong finishes at Intersectionals, yet the gold medal always remained just out of reach.
SUZANNE YOUNG NAMED SOCAL’S 2025 ADULT LEAGUE CAPTAIN OF THE YEAR
Chosen through a rigorous nomination process, the honor recognizes one captain whose leadership, sportsmanship, and service to the game best represent USTA League tennis.
FROM 35 TO 80: SOCAL TEAMS DELIVER A NATIONAL SHOWCASE OF EXCELLENCE
SoCal delivered one of its most impressive adult tennis seasons in recent memory, shining on the national stage at both the 2025 Donoff Cup and the USTA National Women’s Intersectionals.
Junior Tennis News
CAN SOCAL’S NEXT GENERATION BRING HOME A US OPEN TITLE?
Eleven years after Taylor Fritz and three years after Katherine Hui claimed the titles, a new generation of Americans has a chance to add their names to the history books.
WOODLAND HILLS NATIVE THEA FRODIN’S US OPEN DEBUT IS JUST THE BEGINNING
17-year-old Thea Frodin proved that her game belongs on tennis’s grandest stage, giving the Grandstand crowd plenty to cheer about during her Grand Slam singles debut.
FROM GIRLS 10S SECTIONALS TO US OPEN: FRODIN’S SOCAL JOURNEY COMES FULL CIRCLE
Thea Frodin’s journey from Southern California Junior Sectionals Triple Crown winner to King Richard body double comes full circle with her US Open main draw debut.
SOCAL GIRLS’ THREE-PEAT IN SAN DIEGO HIGHLIGHTS L1 HARD COURT NATIONALS
Top junior players made their mark at the USTA L1 National Championships, earning national titles, Sportsmanship Awards, and US Open opportunities across multiple age divisions.
FRODIN, SELVAN CLAIM SINGLES TITLES AT USTA GIRLS’ NATIONALS IN SAN DIEGO
SoCal’s Thea Frodin claimed the 18s singles title on Sunday while Maryland’s Shristi Selvan claimed the 16s singles title on Saturday at USTA Billie Jean King Girls’ Nationals.
LIVE BLOG: DAILY RECAPS FROM USTA GIRLS’ NATIONALS IN SAN DIEGO
The path to the US Open officially began on Saturday, August 8th, as nine straight days of high-stakes junior competition got underway at Barnes Tennis Center.
Community Tennis News
WHAT A COACH BELIEVES: INSIDE THE MIND AND JOURNEY OF PAUL ANNACONE
From his playing days to coaching some of the game’s biggest stars, Paul Annacone has built an impressive career on and off the court while helping shape the next generation of players.
SUSTAINABILITY SPOTLIGHT: USTA SOCAL JOINS THE GREEN SPORTS ALLIANCEN
As USTA SoCal begins its work as a member of the Green Sports Alliance, the section will continue looking for ways to make sustainable choices easier across Southern California.
FROM THE TENNIS COURT TO CALIFORNIA LAW: BRAUN LEVI’S LEGACY LIVES ON
On September 25, 2026, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 907, which includes a provision known as Braun’s Law, named in honor of Braun Levi.
HALL OF FAMER CHARLIE PASARELL LAUNCHES NEW AUTOBIOGRAPHY
“Serving First” is a story of character, purpose, and moments that leave a mark—from traveling to Vietnam during the war to all the joy and sorrow of Charlie’s friendship with Arthur Ashe.
BERNIE PARADA: POURING HIS LOVE FOR TENNIS ONE CUP AT A TIME
Bernie combines his passion for coffee, tennis, and creative entrepreneurship to make the sport more accessible and welcoming to Latino and Southern California communities.
NEWPORT BEACH NAMED USTA SOCAL’S NEWEST TENNIS TOWN
Dedicated coaches, passionate tournament directors, families playing across generations, and a rich history stored in every local club make Newport Beach an undeniable Tennis Town.
College Tennis News
‘THE OJAI’ TO HOST WEST COAST CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS IN 2027
The West Coast Conference announced that the 2027 WCC Men’s and Women’s Tennis Championships will be held April 22-24 at Libbey Park in Ojai.
HOW COLLEGIATE CLUB TENNIS ENHANCED MY COLLEGE EXPERIENCE AT USC
Elizabeth Stuart-Chaffoo’s journey with USC Club Tennis shows how Tennis on Campus can create lasting friendships, leadership opportunities, and a true sense of belonging in college.
TRIO EARN US OPEN WILD CARDS AT COLLEGIATE WILD CARD PLAYOFFS
Trevor Svajda, Sebastian Gorzny, and Katrina Scott earn 2026 US Open qualifying and main draw wild cards at the American Collegiate Player Wild Card Playoff.
TREVOR SVAJDA JOINS FIELD FOR US OPEN COLLEGIATE WILD CARD PLAYOFFS
When SoCal’s Trevor Svajda steps onto the courts at the USTA National Campus this June, he’ll return as one of college tennis’ top players looking to take the next major step in his career.
HISTORIC OJAI TENNIS TOURNAMENT CONCLUDES WITH DRAMATIC FINISHES
It was another historic year at the Ojai Tennis Tournament as it delivered dramatic finishes and standout performances from Southern California players and programs.
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED FOR LA MISSION COLLEGE AS IT CLAIMS STATE TITLES IN OJAI
The L.A. Mission College women’s 2026 season was a dream run, finishing 25 straight wins against zero losses and a week at The Ojai the players will not soon forget.
Pro Tennis News
LAVER CUP DAY ONE RECAP: BRANDON NAKASHIMA SHINES IN DEBUT
San Diego’s Brandon Nakashima made the most of his Laver Cup debut, earning Team World’s first point of the 2026 competition with a victory over Team Europe’s Jakub Mensik.
SOCAL TRIO FRITZ, TIEN, NAKASHIMA HEAD TO LONDON FOR THE 2027 LAVER CUP
When Team World steps onto the sleek black court at London’s O2 Arena from September 25 to 27, a distinct Southern California swagger will be on full display.
IVA JOVIC GOES BACK-TO-BACK, WINS SECOND WTA TITLE IN GUADALAJARA
The 18-year-old Torrance native successfully defended her Guadalajara Open title, defeating Peyton Stearns 6-4, 6-2 to capture the second WTA singles title of her career.
KAYLA DAY, MADISON BRENGLE HEADLINE CENTRAL COAST TENNIS CLASSIC
The Central Coast Tennis Classic has become a familiar stop on the ITF World Tennis Tour, and its growing list of alumni is starting to tell an impressive story.
ALEX MICHELSEN IS LIVING THE CALIFORNIA DREAM IN NEW YORK CITY
The 22-year-old SoCal native from Aliso Viejo has stormed into his first Grand Slam quarterfinal at the 2026 US Open, winning four matches without dropping a set.
TIEN OUT OF TIEN: LEARNER’S WRITING HIS OWN CHAPTER AT THE US OPEN
The Irvine native Learner Tien is the first American man since Palos Verdes’ Pete Sampras in 1990 to reach the fourth round at age 20 or younger.
Officiating News
GUARDIAN OF THE COURT: THE UNFILTERED JOURNEY OF MARCIA JONES
In the high pressure world of competition, a hand gesture can be the difference between celebration and confrontation. For Marcia Jones, that pressure is part of everyday life.
DWIGHT KUHLMAN’S MULTIFACETED JOURNEY INTO OFFICIATING
Throughout much of his life, Dwight Kuhlman has been driven by creativity, building a career rooted in production, voice acting, and bringing ideas to life across a wide range of mediums.
FROM BRONX RED CLAY TO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA COURTS WITH LARRY CALDER
Tennis is defined by precision, sportsmanship, and respect. Officials embody these characteristics, working selflessly in the background to uphold the integrity of the sport.
A LITTLE HANDSHAKE GOES A LONG WAY FOR USTA OFFICIAL MAUREEN REGAN
Maureen Regan has had a front row seat to hundreds of congratulatory gestures and is used to both players then turning to her in the umpire chair and also extending a hand.
AVA SCHUMACHER CELEBRATES 45 YEARS OF OFFICIATING IN SOCAL
For nearly half a century, Ava Schumacher has been a respected USTA tennis official across Southern California. This year marks a significant milestone: her 45th anniversary officiating.
JANE ROBERTS PASSES TEST IN BECOMING A DEPENDABLE USTA OFFICIAL
If you were to list the qualities that define a great USTA Official, you’d probably start with someone who is calm and composed under pressure and knows the rules of tennis from cover to cover.
Women’s History Month Features
TRACY MACNAIR BURRELL: THE UNOFFICIAL TENNIS HISTORIAN OF BAKERSFIELD
Whether it’s the origins of Bakersfield Racquet Club, local player accomplishments, or longstanding exhibitions, the chances are Tracy knows the answer or statistic without hesitation.
WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH: HOW TENNIS TRANSFORMED MELISSA HOFFMAN’S LIFE
In many ways, tennis saved Melissa Hoffman—physically, emotionally, mentally. What began as a need to exercise after a diabetes diagnosis evolved into something more transformative.
DANIELLE LUGO ON EMPOWERING YOUNG GIRLS THROUGH SPORTS
Danielle Lugo holds a firm conviction that sport sampling is the key to building leadership and confidence in youth, particularly for girls who often face greater discouragement in athletics.
USTA SOCAL FEATURE: THE MULTIFACETED TENNIS CAREER OF SABASTIANI LEON
As we celebrate Women’s History Month, Sabastiani Leon stands as a powerful example of a woman chasing her dreams and succeeding on multiple fronts within the sport.
TRACY AUSTIN: THROUGH AND THROUGH A SOCAL TENNIS LEGEND
Nearly half a century later, she can still vividly describe, savor, and appreciate the many Southern California-based moments that helped pave her path to greatness.
MORE THAN RECORDS: INSIDE DANA MATHEWSON’S LASTING INFLUENCE
Dana Mathewson is one of the most influential figures in wheelchair tennis history: a former American #1, Grand Slam champion, Paralympian, and global tennis ambassador.
