You love your own time on the court practicing your tennis game, but there is nothing better than sitting and watching incredible tennis. The Los Angeles area has some of the best tennis at every level, whether it be a professional tournament or top-notch DIII collegiate tennis. Be the ultimate tennis fan in Los Angeles!
PROFESSIONAL TENNIS
BNP Paribas Open – Indian Wells, CA
The BNP Paribas Open is actually in Indian Wells, about 2 and a half hours outside of Los Angeles, but it is one of the most popular and coveted professional tennis tournaments in the world. Only one level lower than the Grand Slams, you can expect to see every top pro competing for this title. For a little perspective, Djokovic, Federer, and Nadal have been the only winners the last 5 years on the men’s side.
One of the coolest aspects of this specific tournament is the emphasis placed on doubles. The owner Larry Ellison draws not just the top doubles players to the tournament, but he strongly encourages the top singles players to join the doubles draw as well. It’s not uncommon to watch your favorite singles players such as Djokovic, Federer, Nadal, and Murray also in the running for a doubles title.
Southern CA USTA Pro Futures – Marks Tennis Stadium, USC
The young rising stars of professional tennis are all playing ITF tournaments right now. It is the lowest level of the professional level, and these newly turned pro players are looking to gain match experience and improve their ranking. The talent at these future tournaments is incredible, and you can feel the excitement radiating from these new pros who have their whole tennis career in front of them. USC hosts the Southern CA USTA Pro Futures every January. Head out and scope out who you think will be the next tennis legend!
DIVISION I TENNIS
USC and UCLA
If you want something louder with more crowd participation, Division I tennis is where you should be. Los Angeles boasts of two division I tennis powerhouses: USC and UCLA. What a rivalry to have right in your neighborhood!
The USC men’s tennis team holds a record 21 NCAA team titles. The world #1 junior Taylor Fritz had even verbally committed to the school before ultimately deciding to turn pro instead. The USC women’s team has won 2 NCAA titles themselves. Both teams have been dominating forces in collegiate tennis for many decades, and their matches are always a good time.
The UCLA men’s team holds 16 NCAA team titles of their own, and the women’s team holds 2 as well. The women almost held their third title this past year, but were thwarted by Vanderbilt in the championship match.
DIVISION III TENNIS
Claremont Mudd Scripps and Pomona Pitzer
Claremont Mudd Scripps may be a group of small liberal arts colleges in Claremont, CA, but they don’t mess around when it comes to tennis, especially on the men’s side. They just won the 2015 NCAA team title, sweeping Middlebury 5-0 in the championship match. They are able to recruit some of the top juniors in the country, and in the world for that matter, selling them on the amazing academics as well as tennis program. The facilities are incredible, better than some of the Division I tennis facilities in the country. Make a trip to the Claremont colleges and don’t miss the big rivalry match against Pomona Pitzer next season.
