Jenny Rens

DATES: Dec 2-8, 2024
LOCATION: La Jolla, CA
DIVISIONS: Level 1, 40s

✨ Holiday Cheers and Tennis Thrills at the 2024 USTA National 40's Championships! 🎾🎅

The 2024 USTA National 40's Men's, Women's, and Mixed Doubles tournament, was held at the iconic La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club from December 2-8th. The LJBTC comes alive with the magic of the season, offering a holiday experience unlike any other. Upon arrival, guests are greeted by towering palm trees wrapped in twinkling lights, a dazzling whimsical pathway that includes a Candy Cane Lane, and Santa and his reindeer and sleigh cheering you on as you pass through to the courts.  

Against a backdrop of ocean views, soft morning fog, and crisp California afternoon sunshine, players, families, and spectators came together for a week of world-class tennis, laughter, and celebration. This tournament is known worldwide and attracts high-level players from all across the country and even from as far as South Africa.

Designated as one of the Top 100 Tennis Resorts in the world by Tennis Online, the La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club has been serving the tennis community for many decades, hosting major tennis tournaments such as the Pacific Coast Men’s Doubles Championships and the USTA  National Women’s 50,60,70,80,90 Hard Court Championships. The Father/Son and Grandfather/Grandson National Hard Court Championship runs concurrently with the National 40 Hard Courts this week. What a week for all!   

🎾 Tennis Magic Under the California Sun 🌟

Women’s Singles
🏆 Three-Peat Queen! Mariko Fritz-Krockow, Marin County's unstoppable top-seeded defending champion, clinched her third consecutive title in a hard-hitting showdown against third seed, local Anna Anikanova. With fierce ball-striking and unmatched precision, Mariko triumphed in a hard-hitting match for Gold 6-3, 6-1, not dropping a single set in singles throughout the tournament. Playing on a cool and foggy morning, Fritz-Krockow got off to a quick start, breaking Anna’s serve after holding her own.  There were some great rallies and tough points with Mariko being relentless in her consistency and movement, running down Anna’s powerful forehand and fierce ball striking to take a commanding lead at 5-1 in the first set. Anna staged a brief comeback, breaking Mariko at love and holding serve in the eighth game to bring the set close at 5-3. Mariko overcame a double fault and rallied to hold serve and win the first set. The second set started with a marathon game of 18 points with Mariko breaking Anna’s serve. Anna was able to break back immediately, but then Mariko capitalized on three service breaks to win the last 5 games and the match to wrap up the title and the Gold Ball.

“This is what I came here to do. I did it! I played pretty well. I came with a game plan and I executed. I love this tournament and I love winning it. I’m so happy” Fritz-Krockow said after being presented with her Gold Ball for winning the National Championship. 

🔥 San Diegan Sanem Ahearn, last year’s Mixed Doubles champ and first-time entrant in the singles, showed her grit by defeating past multiple titleholder Ros Nideffer for the Bronze Ball, sealing the match with a thrilling first-set tiebreak and a second-set surge: 7-6(7), 6-2.

Newcomer Carolyn Kramer from Saint Louis, MO, took 5th place over last year’s consolation winner, local Christine Anzai, 6-4,7-5.

Women’s Doubles

🎉 San Diego’s Elizabeth Kaufman and Denver’s Anita Miner, seeded fourth, turned up the heat in an epic, see-saw battle against third-seeded locals Lauren Perl Lancaster and Millie Yablonicky. The crowd was glued to their seats as Anita and Elizabeth finally claimed victory 3-6, 7-5, 6-3 for the Gold. The match was filled with shifts in momentum highlighted by strategic maneuvers and incredible shot-making in every set. The unbelievable rallies drew huge cheers from the crowd.   

💪 For the Bronze Ball, Mariko Fritz-Krockow teamed up with Ros Nideffer to outlast tournament newcomers Carolyn Kramer and Denver’s Zsophia Alfonso as all four women provided a display of doubles artistry, masterful strategy, and gorgeous movement securing the win 6-4, 6-4. 

Ros Nideffer, 64 years old and also a two-time Wimbledon singles quarterfinalist who reached a career no.12 in the WTA singles rankings, spoke about her playing in the tournament this week,

“Mariko asked me to play doubles. I could not turn that down. It’s a huge honor for her to ask me. I started thinking about it and since I’m going to be here, I might as well play some singles. I’m just happy to be out on the court, trying to find my game. I am the weak link of the team. There is a little pressure on me. I enjoy playing doubles, it’s fun to be out here.” When asked what inspires her to continue playing competitive tennis, Nideffer responded, “I enjoy the competition and challenging myself. I’m not going to be the player that I was, I’m just trying to stay in shape and enjoy hitting the ball.”

First-time tournament entrants and San Diego locals Jenna Boyhan and Priscilla Martinez won the backdraw, defeating Allison Hagopian and Sarina Lynn 6-1,6-3.     

Mixed Doubles

🎊 Unseeded local sensations Simon Shen and Millie Yablonicky lit up the finals with their incredible teamwork in an epic match, dazzling the crowd in a breathtaking battle against first seeds, Anita Miner and Nik Yip. The competition was fierce, with all players demonstrating masterful skill and unrelenting tenacity throughout the grueling back-and-forth match that was a nail-biter until the very last point. Simon and Millie’s 6-4, 5-7, 7-5 triumph not only earned them their first Gold Ball as partners but also drew rave reviews, with Pro tour veteran Lorne Kuhle watching every point and declaring,  “This is better than watching the US Open! The points are high level, world class!” 

Sanem Ahearn and Brent Davis won the Bronze Ball in a walkover as 4th-seeded Brett Morse-Karzen injured his wrist and could not take the court with his partner Kathy Settles.

Christine Anzai and Manuel Ortiz took the back draw for 5th place 6-1,6-3 against Julia Scher and Mark Scher.

🎾 A Historic First in the Father/Son Competition

One of the most memorable moments of this year’s event came in the Father/Son division, where the 9th-seeded team of Michael Noel and his son, Elijah Noel, made history. Facing the tournament’s top seeds and former champions, Peter and Tanner Smith of Long Beach, CA, the unrelenting Noels got off to a blinding fast start and never let up, pulling off a spectacular upset to capture the gold ball, winning 6-0, 6-4.

What makes this victory particularly special is that Michael Noel himself is a former champion of the Father/Son event, having won the event with his father in the 1980s. Competing this year as the "father" alongside his son Elijah, a high school senior, he etched his name in the record books once more, this time with the next generation. This achievement marks the first time a former champion as a son has returned as a father to win the gold alongside his child, solidifying their place in the tournament's storied history. Wouldn’t it be amazing if Elijah someday did the same? There is always the Grandfather/Grandson event too!

 ❤️ Tournament Takeaway

Jenna Boyhan summed up the feelings shared by many, noting, “My only regret is not playing this event sooner. Even though I’m a local, it’s special and I’m sad it’s over. Driving to the Beach Club every day to play tennis in a beautiful venue with my friends and watch high-level action has been the best experience. I truly appreciate the effort it takes to put this event together and it seemed seamless.”

A tournament of this caliber wouldn’t have been possible without the exceptional leadership and efforts of Bill Kellogg, Conan Lorenzo, and Marylynn Baker. Their dedication, organization, and passion for tennis were instrumental in making this event a resounding success. It was as if those three were running Santa’s Command Center where planning, progress checks, and delivery of Gold, Silver and Bronze were the order of business and dreams fulfilled for many and wonderful memories had by all. 

Special thanks also go to the volunteers, officials, and sponsors whose hard work and contributions ensured a seamless and enjoyable experience for players and fans alike.

 🎁 Festive Fun Beyond the Matches 🍔✨

Holiday Foodie Bliss: The talk of the week? Juicy, double-patty cheeseburgers topped with mouth-watering grilled onions grilled fresh on-site on an outdoor griddle, followed by decadent double chocolate chunk cookies. These treats disappeared faster than a Mariko Fritz-Krockow forehand!  

Gala Night Extravaganza: With courtside construction and the Club’s restaurant closed for remodeling, the Friday night gala found a cozy home at the neighboring La Jolla Shores Hotel. Laughter, hearty meals, and spirited toasts filled the air as players and families celebrated new friendships and cherished memories.

🎧 Tune In for More! 🎙️

Catch post-tournament interviews and behind-the-scenes stories on Conan Lorenzo and Jenna Fosdick’s Spotify podcast “The Tennis Pros of San Diego Unmatched”. Guests include champions Mariko Fritz-Krockow, Paul Settles, and Henry Choi. It’s an episode you won’t want to miss!

💫 Wrapping Up a Season of Joy and Competition 💫

The 2024 USTA National 40's Championships was more than a tournament—it was a holiday masterpiece! The combination of the Father/Son and Grandfather/ Grandson Hard Court Nationals (including green ball matches for ten-and-under sons) makes for a total family vacation and a spirited celebration for holiday fun. From thrilling matches to festive moments, this event again brought together players and fans in a celebration of tennis, community, and holiday cheer. As players departed with Gold, Silver, and Bronze Balls, consolation plates, and memories, their smiles reflected the true spirit of the season. The event brought together a vibrant and inclusive community for a week of electrifying tennis, joyful celebration, and holiday cheer. It was a world-class spectacle infused with heartwarming camaraderie and spirited sportsmanship. Congratulations to all the participants and champions for their remarkable performances!

Here’s to another smashing success in 2025! 🎾✨

QUICK RESULTS→

🏆 W40

SINGLES:  Gold Mariko Fritz-Krockow, Silver Anna Anikanova, Bronze Sanem Ahearn
DOUBLES: Gold Elizabeth Kaufman/Anita Miner, Silver Lauren Perl Lancaster/Millie Yoblonicky, Bronze  Ros Nideffer/Mariko Fritz-Krockow
MIXED DOUBLES: Gold Millie Yablonicky/Simon Shen, Silver Anita Miner/Nik Yip,Bronze Sanem Ahearn/Brent Davis

FULL RESULTS HERE

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