By Karen Ronney For Dana Mathewson, tennis was never just a game. It was a journey that took her from the world’s biggest stages to the history books—and inspired countless athletes along the way. A three-time Paralympian and one of the most accomplished American wheelchair tennis players of her generation, Mathewson reached the pinnacle of
By Karen Ronney For 12-year-old Michael Monzón, stepping onto the baseball field at Petco Park during a live San Diego Padres game was almost too much to take in. The lights were as bright as daylight, and the stadium was packed. The roar of the crowd surrounded and stunned him. It was his first time
By Karen Ronney A Personal Tribute to A Great Coach Gordon ZawTun had a quietly powerful presence. He was small in stature, but big in impact. He received the RSPA San Diego Bob Bacon Lifetime Achievement Award in 2025 and passed away on April 20, 2026. He was 71 years-old. I first met Gordon at
By Karen Ronney Come out and see about four hundred of the country’s top junior girl players at the Level 1 USTA Billie Jean King Girls’ 16s and 18s National Championships from Saturday, August 8, through Sunday, August 16 at Barnes Tennis Center. Admission is FREE. This is a fantastic opportunity for all juniors to
Are you a tennis coach interested in taking the next step toward certification? Well, there is a fantastic opportunity with USTA's Introduction to Coaching Workshop held on Saturday, August 22, from 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm at Barnes Tennis Center. Anyone can participate but it there is no cost to NJTL Coaches and High School
By Karen Ronney For fifteen-year-old Keinaan and his mother, tennis is not just a recreational sport – it’s a lifeline. Thanks to the South Bay Serves tennis program sponsored by the Teens Rise Foundation, he made his high school team as a freshman. This summer, he played in his first-ever USTA Junior Team Tennis (JTT)
By Karen Ronney Calling all tennis friends to join the Southern California Tennis Association Foundation to celebrate an amazing book launch featuring tennis legend Charlie Pasarell. The book is called Serving First: Dreams Realized and Lessons Learned from Family, Friends, and a Life in Tennis, and this celebration will be held on August 19, 2026,
By Linda Milan and Karen Ronney Annette Buck was an incredibly generous tennis advocate, organizer, leader and friend. She was always willing to lend a helping hand. She did not seek the limelight, rather preferred to shine her love and attention on others. After years of devoting herself to the sport of tennis and its
By Karen Ronney For 13-year-old Micah Velte, the tennis court isn’t just a place to play, it’s where he’s building a future. Born with Spina Bifida, Micah has spent a decade navigating the world from a wheelchair, but on the court, he isn’t just a participant. He has become a rising force. Currently ranked No. 5
By Karen Ronney For Ivan Thamma, tennis started off as a fun way to socialize with other kids at the City Heights Recreation Center in San Diego. Over a decade later, his life has come full circle and tennis has given him a foundation for a bright future… on and off the tennis court. Thamma,
