The United States Tennis Association National Women’s Senior Hard Court Championships, which feature singles and doubles draws in five age divisions, are scheduled to get underway on Monday, May 13 at the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club, 2000 Spindrift Drive. The national tennis tournament will conclude on Sunday, May 19. The best players from across the country, ages 50 to 90-plus will compete for USTA gold balls, which are awarded to national champions. This will make for an amazing week of senior level tennis for players and spectators alike. Events will include singles and doubles in the 50, 60, 70, 80 and 90 and over age divisions. Andrea Rice of Bethesda, Md., is the top seed in the 50 and over singles division. Rice, who has represented the U.S. in international senior team and individual competition, fell to San Diego’s Ros Nideffer 6-4, 6-4, in last year’s 50 and over singles final.
Jennifer Dawson of Carlsbad, is the No. 2 seed in the 50 and over singles draw. Dawson, a local tennis teaching professional, was ranked No. 1 in the U.S. in women’s 35, 40, and 45 age groups.
Defending champion Susan Wright of Grand Junction, Colo., is the top seed in the 60 and over singles division. Judy Dixon of Amherst, Mass., was named the No. 1 seed in the 70 and over singles draw, and Dorothy Wasser of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., is the top seed in the 80 and over singles division.
In the 90 and over singles division, 90-year-old Doris Lutz of Sarasota, Fla., and 92-year-old Rita Price of Aurora, Colo., are co-seeded No. 1. Lutz is the defending 90 and over singles champion. Price captured the 90 and over singles title in 2017.
“With a great field of competitors entered in this year’s championships, we are anticipating a very entertaining week of high-level senior tennis,” said tournament director Bill Kellogg. “Many of these senior tennis players who compete nationally have a unique style of play on the tennis court that makes it really fun to watch. We invite tennis fans and spectators of all ages to come and enjoy the matches.” Starting times for each day of the tournament will be as follows: Monday, May 13 – 9 a.m.; Tuesday, May 14 through Friday, May 17 – 8 a.m.; Saturday, May 18 and Sunday, May 19 – 9 a.m. The La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club welcomes tennis enthusiasts to view the tournament and will be offering free admission for spectators through the entire tournament. Tournament attendees and spectators may dine at the Club’s Snack Bar and Club Dining restaurant during the tournament. On-site parking is available for $10 per day. The La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club’s 47th Annual Men’s Senior Championships will also take place that week in conjunction with the women’s events, and will include both singles and doubles for 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, and 85 and over age groups. Although the men’s events are not national championships, they will feature many senior players who regularly compete in national tournaments. The La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club started each of these events and has hosted them since inception. Designated one of the Top 50 Tennis Resorts in the world by Tennis Resorts Online, the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club’s reputation as a top tennis destination started in 1942 when it attracted its first major tournament, the Pacific Coast Men’s Doubles Championship.
