A NEW SEASON: The United States Tennis...
A NEW SEASON: The United States Tennis Assn.’s adult league in Orange County has begun a new season, and more than 700 players are competing on 60 teams at the various rating levels, according to area coordinator Denis Moss. “Three years ago, we had about 25 teams in the county, and now it’s more than doubled,” Moss said. . . . League winners advance to the Southern California sectionals at Fountain Valley’s Los Caballeros Racquet Club in August. A year ago, six county teams--three from Los Caballeros and three from Lindborg Racquet Club in Huntington Beach--won sectional titles and played in the USTA nationals.
BIG TOURNEY: One of the year’s biggest tournaments, with more than 900 players, is underway. The 13th Vic Braden-CHOC Padrinos Classic, which benefits Children’s Hospital of Orange County, began Saturday and wraps up next weekend. The finals will be Sunday at John Wayne Tennis Club in Newport Beach. “We hope to be able to give more than $60,000 to the charity from the event,” said Dennis Claus, tourney chairman.
EUROPE-BOUND: Two county junior stars have a nice trip ahead. Kevin Kim, above, of Fullerton and Geoff Abrams of Newport Beach will be spending three weeks in Europe in June competing in three 16-and-under tournaments, all on red clay. They will play at Turin and Milan in Italy and at LaBaule, France. . . .The USTA is paying the bill as part of its program to develop top young players. Kim and Abrams are two of the highest-ranked players in the nation in their age group.
DUKES HOPEFUL: The Newport Beach Dukes of World TeamTennis don’t start play until July 6, but owner Fred Lieberman already is excited about the team’s prospects now that he has signed women’s star Zina Garrison Jackson for a full season. She played part time with the team last year. . . .Lieberman calls the Dukes “the most successful franchise in the league, based on the ability to win and the bottom line.” The Dukes have reached the WTT finals the last two years but lost both times. They play most of their home matches at John Wayne Tennis Club.