Long Beach has officially been honored as a “Tennis Town” by the U.S. Tennis Association Southern California.
The city was selected as the newest recipient of the honor by USTA SoCal and received the award on Monday, Oct. 6, at the El Dorado Park Tennis Center – which was also where the finals of the 95th annual Long Beach Open took place.
“Tennis Towns” is an initiative by USTA SoCal that recognizes and celebrates vibrant tennis communities throughout the region, officials said. Launched earlier this year, the program highlights cities with outstanding facilities, programs and tournaments that foster a passion for tennis and contribute to its growth.
So far, the program has honored Bakersfield, Ojai and Claremont as “Tennis Towns” — and now Long Beach is the latest to join the distinguished list.
USTA SoCal presented Long Beach with the honor of “Tennis Town.” USTA SoCal Executive Director Trevor Kronemann presented the award to Councilmember Daryl Supernaw on Monday, Oct. 6, at the El Dorado Park Tennis Center. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
USTA SoCal presented Long Beach with the honor of “Tennis Town.” (L-R) Former tennis facilities manager Cathy Jacobson, USTA SoCal Executive Director Trevor Kronemann, Director of the Southern California Tennis Academy Mitch Bridge, Councilmember Daryl Supernaw, General Manager of facilities Cooper Bridge, and Deputy City Manager April Walker celebrated the honor on Monday, Oct. 6, at the El Dorado Park Tennis Center. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Fourth District Councilmember Daryl Supernaw, on behalf of the city, accepted the honor of Long Beach being named a “Tennis Town” by the U.S. Tennis Association Southern California on Monday, Oct. 6, at the El Dorado Park Tennis Center. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Show Caption
1 of 3
USTA SoCal presented Long Beach with the honor of “Tennis Town.” USTA SoCal Executive Director Trevor Kronemann presented the award to Councilmember Daryl Supernaw on Monday, Oct. 6, at the El Dorado Park Tennis Center. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
“This honor celebrates communities where tennis thrives, where access, passion and tradition come together to make the game part of everyday life,” USTA SoCal Executive Director Trevor Kronemann said on Monday. “A few places embody that spirit quite like Long Beach. From the storied courts of El Dorado Park and the Billie Jean King Tennis Center, the city has introduced generations to the sport, teaching not only forehands and backhands, but also community, respect and perseverance.”
Long Beach has 65 tennis courts throughout the city and has classes for all ability levels. The Billie Jean King Tennis Center at Recreation Park and the El Dorado Park Tennis Center offer pro shops, equipment rental and professional instruction. Long Beach is also home to some of the sport’s greatest icons, such as Billie Jean King, whose legacy of equity and opportunity continues to inspire players around the world, Kronemann said.
“Today, we honor Long Beach, not just for its history,” Kronemann added, “but for its vision, for continuing to make tennis accessible, inclusive, and a source of pride for all who call this city home.”
The award was accepted on behalf of the city by Fourth District Councilmember Daryl Supernaw and Deputy City Manager April Walker. The honor was also accepted by Cathy Jacobson – who for more than 30 years helped manage the city’s tennis facilities – as well as Mitch and Cooper Bridge of Bridge the Gap Tennis Management.
Bridge the Gap Tennis Management is a family-owned enterprise dedicated to the stewardship of Long Beach’s two tennis centers since 2021. The Bridge family has led programming at both El Dorado Park and the Billie Jean King Tennis Center, and in 2024, was named the USTA SoCal “Family of the Year” for all that they have done giving back to the tennis community of Long Beach.
“We’re excited to continue on the legacy and build on it,” Mitch Bridge said. “We’re happy to be pushing it forward and continue to try to grow the sport.”