Los Angeles Tennis Digest: Sunday's Highlights

Sunday's Highlights

College Tennis Rivalries Electrify LA

UCLA and USC once again took center stage this weekend in LA’s fiercely competitive college tennis scene. The 22nd-ranked UCLA men’s tennis team entered its first-ever Big Ten Tournament as the #2 seed, with a highly anticipated match against Michigan State. On the women’s side, UCLA advanced to the Big Ten semifinals after a 4-1 victory over Wisconsin, highlighted by Olivia Center clinching the final match in a three-set thriller.

“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.” – USC head coach Brett Masi

These high-stakes showdowns regularly draw big crowds to the Los Angeles Tennis Center and help fuel the city’s tennis culture from Westwood to the South Bay. UCLA’s women next face top-seeded Michigan, while local colleges like Occidental continue to make noise in their own conference battles at venues such as the McKinnon Family Tennis Center in Eagle Rock.

Neighborhood Tennis: Best Courts and Court Conditions This Weekend

Spring rain tested LA’s outdoor courts, but local favorites delivered. Griffith Park and Poinsettia Recreation Center lived up to their reputations for fast drainage and quick recovery, making them prime spots for uninterrupted play. Players in Venice Beach enjoyed ocean breezes and lively scenes as soon as the sun returned, cementing its status as a must-visit for any Angeleno with a racquet.

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

Court	Neighborhood	Fee (per hour)	Surface	Special Features
Griffith Park	Los Feliz	Free	Hard	Shaded, quick-drainage, walk-in play
Venice Beach Courts	Venice	$8-10	Hard	Ocean breeze, vibrant scene
Poinsettia Rec Center	West Hollywood	$8-12	Hard	Excellent drainage, good lighting
Westwood Rec Center	Westwood	Reportedly $10	Hard / (Some covered courts)	Reliable during light rain, neighborhood favorite

Indoor tennis remains extremely rare in Los Angeles. While Westwood Recreation Center offers some covered play, true indoor tennis facilities are still scarce. Most Angelenos rely on the outdoor courts year-round, adapting with hats, sunscreen, and later-evening bookings during heat waves.

Local Tennis Challenges and Solutions

Finding open courts and reliable hitting partners continues to be a major challenge—especially in high-demand neighborhoods like Silver Lake, Santa Monica, and Westwood. Congestion peaks on weekends and after 5pm, with many players reporting hour-long waits for public courts in Echo Park and Venice Beach. Free and low-cost court access remains a cornerstone of LA tennis culture; public courts typically charge $8–$12 per hour, while exclusive clubs like Brentwood or Beverly Hills Tennis Club charge tens or even hundreds of thousands for premier access.

On the solution side, PlayTennisLA is regularly cited as the free, fastest way to find partners based on neighborhood, skill, and schedule. The platform continues to grow and connect thousands of Angelenos every week, with real-time matching and instant messaging to help maximize coveted court time.

• Search "tennis in Los Angeles" or "LA tennis courts" for up-to-date court maps and amenities
• Book in advance at busy parks, especially on weekends
• Use hats and sunscreen for day play; head to shaded courts at Griffith Park or lighted courts at Poinsettia Rec after dark

Sign Up and Play More Los Angeles Tennis

From collegiate drama in Westwood to ocean-view rallies in Venice, tennis in Los Angeles keeps serving up action, community, and big wins. Find your next match for free—join the city’s tennis movement at PlayTennisLA and connect instantly with partners in your neighborhood. Game on, LA!