USTA National Women’s Senior Hard Court Championships — La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club, Calif.

Rita Price and Doris Lutz

 

 

USTA National Women’s Senior
Hard Court Championships
May 13-19, 2019
La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club
La Jolla, Calif.

 

 

LUTZ CAPTURES SECOND STRAIGHT 90 AND OVER SINGLES TITLE AT
USTA NATIONAL WOMEN’S SENIOR HARD COURT CHAMPIONSHIPS
Sunday’s Schedule to Feature Consolation Matches Beginning at 9 a.m. (PDT)

 

LA JOLLA, Calif. – (May 18, 2019) – Defending champion Doris Lutz of Sarasota, Fla., won the 90 and over singles title at the USTA National Women’s Senior Hard Court Championships for the second straight year as she came back from an early deficit to overcome Rita Price of Aurora, Colo., 2-6, 7-5, 6-4.
 

Price, who was co-seeded No. 1 with Lutz, began the 90 and over singles final at the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club on a strong note as she hit a service winner to open the match. Price then established a 3-0 lead and went on to win the first set as she gave Lutz very little pace on her shots during their rallies.

 

In the second set, Lutz adjusted her game and jumped out to a 4-1 advantage. Price fought back to knot the score at 4-4, but at 5-5, Lutz broke serve at love for a 6-5 lead.  In the next game, Lutz served out the set to even the match.

 

At 3-3 in the third set, Lutz broke Price’s serve after a 12-point game and proceeded to hold her next two service games to close out the championship match.
 

Following the match, tournament officials presented Lutz with a USTA gold ball for winning the national title. The 90-year-old Lutz, veteran senior tennis competitor, has won over 70 USTA gold balls.
 

“I’m always glad to get another gold ball. They’re special. It’s nice to know that you get a little something for all the hard work you put into it,” said Lutz. “It was a tough match. I was just thankful.”

 

Later in the day, Lutz earned her second USTA gold ball of the tournament when she teamed with Price for a hard-fought 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 victory over Janet Hubbard of Huntington Beach, Calif., and Pat Wiedenmann of Kansas City, Mo., in two-hours and 20 minutes. Lutz and Price wrapped up the 90 and over doubles title with a 2-0 record in Round-Robin play.
 

The USTA National Women’s Senior Hard Court Championships will come to a close Sunday with Consolation matches scheduled to begin at 9 a.m.
 

To view updated draws for each division, please click here.

 

The La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club welcomes tennis enthusiasts to view the tournament and will be offering free admission for spectators through the entire tournament. Tournament attendees and spectators may dine at the Club’s Snack Bar and Club Dining restaurant during the tournament. On-site parking is available for $10 per day.

 

The La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club’s 47th Annual Men’s Senior Championships are also taking place this week in conjunction with the women’s events, and include both singles and doubles for 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, and 85 and over age groups. Although the men’s events are not national championships, they feature many senior players who regularly compete in national tournaments.

 

Additional tournament information can be viewed here.

 

The La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club started each of these events and has hosted them since inception. Designated one of the Top 50 Tennis Resorts in the world by Tennis Resorts Online, the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club’s reputation as a top tennis destination started in 1942 when it attracted its first major tournament, the Pacific Coast Men’s Doubles Championship.

 

About the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club, Inc. – The La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club is a fourth-generation, family-owned and operated company dedicated to the operation of a 14-acre beachside resort.