An old adage around campus says that there is something for
everybody at UCLA. For tennis fans and players at UCLA,
“something” is somewhat of an understatement.
Tennis fans at UCLA have numerous opportunities all year round
to see world-class tennis at the Los Angeles Tennis Center as well
as play in many of the top facilities on campus.
Starting in spring, the UCLA women’s and men’s
tennis teams play their home games at LATC and provide students and
fans with free access to see two championship-caliber NCAA tennis
teams.
The women’s team, for one, has reached the NCAA
Championships in six consecutive years, falling just one match
short of a championship in 2004.
The men’s team, meanwhile, won their 16th national
championship this past year and is an annual championship
contender.
Once their seasons end and summer begins, the first-rate tennis
does not stop.
The Mercedes-Benz Cup, which is held every year at the end of
July attracts the top professional men’s singles players from
around the world to UCLA. Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras are among
the past winners of the cup, and Agassi, Andy Roddick and Tommy
Haas are just a few of the big names scheduled to play at this
year’s event.
“(The Mercedes-Benz Cup) is a great opportunity for
students and the L.A. community,” second-year student and
Mercedes Benz Cup volunteer worker Chirag Patel said. “People
get a chance to see the best players from all over the world right
here at UCLA.”
For those who enjoy playing tennis in addition to watching it,
UCLA has an abundance of opportunities.
UCLA has three tennis court facilities that are used for
lessons, recreational play and intramural tournaments.
The Sunset Canyon Recreation Center has eight lighted courts
that, when not being used for lessons, are open for reservations to
students and other recreation cardholders.
“It is always pretty busy there,” said John Wooden
Center facilities employee Alex Garcia. “We encourage
students to make reservations as soon as possible.”
Sycamore Park, located south of the Hitch Suites at the very
west end of campus, has six tennis courts available for
reservations from dawn to dusk.
But the gem of the tennis facilities available for students to
play on is the LATC itself. From 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on
weekdays and 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekends, students have the
opportunity to play on the same stadium courts that the UCLA teams
and professionals play on. Playing tennis at the LATC is a unique
experience that can leave one in awe.
“I feel shaky standing on center court sometimes,”
third-year student Chris Tanja said. “It has such an aura
around it.”
With so much good tennis to watch and so many quality facilities
to play at, tennis fans and players can find what they’re
looking for at UCLA.