LA Tennis Today: Monday's Biggest Stories

USC and UCLA Headline NCAA Week

USC women’s tennis, ranked No. 17 nationally, opens its NCAA Tournament run Friday in Baton Rouge against Memphis. Their 16-7 season record showcases depth and resilience, aiming for a Super Regional ticket and potentially a national quarterfinal in Waco, Texas.

"Our team is hungry. We know we can run with the best, and we’re ready to prove it on the national stage." – USC Head Coach Alison Swain

UCLA’s men's team, fresh off a conference title, travels to the Berkeley regional for their own NCAA quest, while the Bruin women recently advanced to the Big Ten semifinals, winning dramatic matches on LA courts.

Team	Record	NCAA 1st Opponent	Next Match
USC Women	16-7	Memphis	May 2, Baton Rouge
UCLA Men	Conference Champs	Berkeley Regional	TBD
UCLA Women	16-7	Advanced to Big Ten Semis	TBD

Neighborhood tournaments and local leagues keep every LA tennis level in action, with the McKinnon Family Tennis Center in Northeast LA hosting DIII showdowns and public park leagues thriving this spring.

Neighborhood Courts: Where LA Plays Now

Rain tested LA’s outdoor courts, but fast-draining Griffith Park and the always-lively Venice Beach have come through strong. Both remain must-visit destinations for “tennis in Los Angeles”—whether you’re after shaded rallies or an ocean breeze. Court crowding persists, so weekday or late-evening play is recommended at hotspots like Echo Park and Cheviot Hills, especially if you need lights or easier parking.

"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 after light rain, local favorite

True indoor tennis courts are nearly nonexistent in the city. Westwood Recreation Center offers some protected play, but most Angelenos adapt with hats, sunscreen, and flexible scheduling to make the most of LA’s year-round outdoor tennis climate.

Local Challenges and Real Solutions: The LA Tennis Balancing Act

The hunt for open courts continues to be the city’s top tennis challenge, with many public sites packed on weekends and major events. Smart Angelenos now target weekday mornings, late nights under lights, or use platforms like PlayTennisLA to coordinate convenient matches and avoid wasted trips.

• Court crowding: Try weekday play or evenings with lights at Griffith Park, Echo Park, or Cheviot Hills.
• Parking pinch: Weekends in Venice Beach? Consider rideshare or public transit.
• Finding partners: PlayTennisLA instantly matches by skill, neighborhood, and schedule—completely free.
• Weather: Westwood Rec and Poinsettia offer quick recovery after rain, but always verify court status before heading out.

Get in the Game: PlayTennisLA Unites the LA Tennis Community

PlayTennisLA remains the city’s favorite (free!) fast lane for connecting with new partners, whether you’re a league regular or just want a spontaneous rally at your local courts. With instant matching by skill, preferred neighborhoods, and play times, Angelenos of every level are finding more court time and building stronger tennis crews across Los Angeles.

Ready to smash your search for local tennis partners? Join PlayTennisLA now and make the most of every session—free, fast, and built for the city’s dynamic tennis community.