Tuesday on the LA Courts: What You Need to Know

What You Need to Know

UCLA Women Deliver, USC Preps for Tournament Runs

The rivalry between UCLA and USC remains the heart of tennis in Los Angeles. With the regular season winding down, UCLA’s women’s team enters the postseason on a hot streak. Senior Kimmi Hance just secured the Big Ten Player of the Week honor, going undefeated in both singles and doubles. Her leadership helped the Bruins notch wins over Rutgers, Maryland, and, crucially, archrival USC at the Los Angeles Tennis Center. Hance and doubles partner Elise Wagle toppled the No. 10-ranked USC pair, signaling UCLA’s competitive resurgence on home courts.

“Every time we face UCLA, it's more than just a match – it's a battle for Los Angeles tennis supremacy. Our players are fired up and ready to defend our home court,” said USC head coach Brett Masi.

USC’s women, currently No. 17 in the ITA national rankings, remain a threat with stars like Emma Charney and the nationally ranked doubles duo Lily Fairclough / Grace Piper. Expect the local college tennis buzz to continue as both teams eye deep runs in upcoming conference tournaments.

Team	Latest Record	National Ranking	Recent Highlight
UCLA Women	8-match win streak	Top 20	Beat USC, Maryland, Rutgers
USC Women	15-6	No. 17	Wins over UCLA & Washington

Neighborhood Tennis Spotlight: Venice, Griffith Park, and Westwood

After another week of spring showers, Los Angeles players continue to flock to the city’s best-drained and most scenic courts. Griffith Park impresses with fast post-rain playability and a community vibe, while Venice Beach courts remain the city’s sunniest tennis destination, combining ocean breezes with lively boardwalk energy. The Westwood Recreation Center stands out as a rare LA facility with covered tennis courts—ideal for avoiding weather surprises, particularly since true indoor tennis is almost nonexistent in Los Angeles.

“There’s nothing like playing tennis with the ocean breeze and the sounds of the boardwalk in the background,” shared Maria Rodriguez, president of the Venice Tennis Club.

Court	Surface	Neighborhood	Public Fee	Booking
Griffith Park	Hard	Los Feliz	Free-$10	LADOT Court Reservation
Venice Beach	Hard	Venice	Free-$8	First-come, first-served
Westwood Rec Center	Hard (Covered)	Westwood	~$10/hr	Advance Booking Available

Local League Action and Tournament Buzz

Los Angeles maintains its robust calendar of USTA-sanctioned tournaments, including the Pacific Coast Men's Doubles Championship and regular NTRP tour events across Lakewood and the broader LA area. These competitions bring together talent from every pocket of the city, fueling both friendly rivalries and the next generation of collegiate stars. Palisades, West LA, and South Bay parks continue to see high participation in weeknight leagues and weekend ladders.

Solving LA’s Tennis Challenges

Angelenos face a unique set of tennis challenges: fast-changing weather, packed public courts, and a shortage of true indoor facilities. The most savvy players leverage resources like PlayTennisLA—a free, LA-focused platform—to match with local tennis partners based on skill, schedule, and neighborhood. The platform’s instant chat and location filters mean less time waiting and more time playing, even during peak hours.

“PlayTennisLA has made it so much easier to find people at my level in my neighborhood. No more endless group texts or driving all over LA just for a match.”

If you’re struggling to book a court, try early mornings at Griffith Park or quiet afternoons at Cheviot Hills. Venice Beach sees heavier crowds on weekends, but the communal atmosphere often leads to spontaneous doubles—especially with connections made through PlayTennisLA.

Get in the Game

Whether you’re chasing college rivalry glory, just looking to meet new hitting partners, or hunting for LA’s most scenic public court, Los Angeles remains one of the most dynamic tennis communities in the country. Sign up free at PlayTennisLA today and discover why more Angelenos are connecting, competing, and thriving on local courts—from Venice Beach to Westwood and beyond.