Tournament Recap: USTA National 40s Hard Court Championships
Isabelle Benoit
DATES: November 27-December 3, 2023
LOCATION: La Jolla, CA
DIVISIONS: Level 1, 40s
Every year, the picturesque La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club in La Jolla, California, hosts one of the most prestigious events on our tennis calendar: the 40s National Hardcourt Championships, held from November 27 to December 3.
Recognized as one of the Top 100 Tennis Resorts globally by Tennis Resorts Online, the name La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club has been synonymous with top-tier tennis since 1942. It's not just the charm of the resort's reputation, the sublime Southern California weather, or the captivating Pacific Ocean views that give the tournament its uniqueness. It's also about the stellar lineup of players participating in this event year after year.
Tournament competition was slated for women and men in singles, doubles and mixed doubles events for players 40 and over. Also on the agenda was the USTA National Father/Son and Grandfather/Grandson Hard Court Doubles Championships, making it truly one of a kind, adding a unique family flavor to the competitive fervor.
The tournament, in its latest edition, enjoyed participation from over 326 players, hailing from 20 different states, including players in the women’s draws from England, Germany, Japan, and Portugal. The event saw 21 competitors in the women’s singles draw, 16 teams in the women's doubles, and 28 teams in the mixed doubles draws.
The standout storyline from the tournament was again the sheer dominance exhibited by Mariko Fritz-Krockow who, replicating her success from 2022, clinched both the singles and doubles gold balls with partner Angela Hendy. Just as last year, Mariko dropped only one set throughout the entire tournament.
On Wednesday we saw the iconic Rod Laver, former world No. 1 and winner of eleven Grand Slam singles titles, amidst the spectators, causing quite the buzz which led to several matches starting later due to impromptu photo sessions with this tennis legend.
Credit must be given where it's due - the tournament director and his team leave no stone unturned in making this event truly special. From the warm welcome, the gifting of beautiful hoodies, perfect planning, availability of a trainer (free of charge to players), snack bar to live streaming, every aspect is meticulously designed and organized. But the team's remarkable planning did not stop there, as they also hosted a lasagna night on Wednesday and a gala dinner on Friday, each drawing an impressive turnout of 400 attendees. Such thoughtful initiatives undoubtedly contribute to making the 40s National Hardcourt Championships truly special and memorable.
Finally, as we bring the curtains down on this recollection, it's time for a brief and interesting statistical snapshot of the tournament:
Number of balls used: approximately 1500, enduring grueling games and intense serves.
Number of officials: 11, each contributing to the seamless overview and fair play of the event.
Tournament staff/team: The event owes much to the tireless efforts of 30 volunteers, complemented by a robust team of over 150 members from the beach club, all of who orchestrated a memorable event.
Number of hours of rain delay: While vibrant, sunlit games are the norm, bouts of Southern California rain brought approximately 4 hours of delay – evidence attached below.
Number of ball kids: 22 enthusiastic young supporters of the game, hustling and bustling around the court.
Total hours put in by the tennis players from November 27 to December 3: An overwhelming 67 hours over the week.
Number of bananas sold: Roughly 200, ensuring that energy levels were never compromised!
For an exclusive peek into the wonderful memories created at the event, click here to access more tournament photos.
Lastly, to immerse yourself in the history and the attractions of the famed La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club, find more information here.
🏆 W40
SINGLES: Mariko Fritz-Krockow over Carlota LeFon
DOUBLES: Angela Hendy / Mariko Fritz-Krockow over Anita Miner / Elizabeth Kaufman
MIXED DOUBLES: Sanem Ahearn / Derek Miller over Anita Miner / Nik Yip
FULL RESULTS HERE