Seven-Week ITF Pathway Series Returns for Rising ATP and WTA Talent
Apr 08, 2026
A seven-week summer run of ITF World Tennis Tour events is once again creating one of the strongest developmental pathways in American tennis, offering a model that resonates far beyond one region — including for Florida’s deep pipeline of junior, collegiate and aspiring pro talent chasing ATP and WTA ranking points.
The SoCal Pro Series, USTA Southern California’s swing of International Tennis Federation (ITF) World Tennis Tour events, returns for its fifth consecutive year this summer.
The series provides a critical pathway for the region’s best junior and collegiate talent, offering players the opportunity to earn ATP and WTA world ranking points needed to transition onto the professional tour.
The 2026 series features seven straight weeks of men’s and women’s tournaments at premier tennis facilities across Southern California. Each $15,000-purse event is part of the USTA Pro Circuit and ITF World Tennis Tour.
The series spans Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego counties and makes its Inland Empire debut this year in Claremont.
2026 SoCal Pro Series dates and locations:
May 25-31 – Lakewood Tennis Center, Lakewood
June 1-7 – Lakewood Tennis Center, Lakewood
June 8-14 – Jack Kramer Club, Rolling Hills Estates
June 15-21 – Racquet Club of Irvine, Irvine
June 22-28 – Biszantz Family Tennis Center, Claremont
June 29-July 5 – Barnes Tennis Center, San Diego
July 6-12 – Rancho Santa Fe Tennis Club, Rancho Santa Fe
“The SoCal Pro Series has always been about giving our junior and college players a real opportunity to test themselves,” said Trevor Kronemann, USTA Southern California Executive Director.
“What’s been exciting to see is how they’re not just stepping into bigger events, they’re springboarding into them. They’re building belief, earning points, and proving they belong on the ATP and WTA tours. Having seven straight weeks of competition back on our calendar is huge for our section and for the players chasing that next level.”
Through the first four years of the SoCal Pro Series, 36 women and 21 men who are either Southern California residents or played collegiate tennis in Southern California have earned their first WTA or ATP world ranking point through the circuit, including seven women and five men in 2025.
Notable alumni who have used the series to launch their professional careers include:
Learner Tien (Irvine): Current ATP No. 22; 2026 Australian Open quarterfinalist
Alex Michelsen (Aliso Viejo): Current ATP No. 35
Iva Jovic (Torrance): Current WTA No. 16; 2026 Australian Open quarterfinalist
Zach Svajda (Pacific Beach): Current ATP No. 84
Tristan Boyer (Altadena): Current ATP No. 242
Brandon Holt (Rolling Hills Estates): Current ATP No. 252
Julieta Pareja (Carlsbad): Current WTA No. 368
Katherine Hui (San Diego): 2023 US Open Girls’ Singles Champion
“The SoCal Pro Series was vital for my transition to the pro tour,” explained Jovic. “It was my first professional event in 2022 and a great starting point.”
“I really appreciate USTA SoCal’s commitment to giving wild cards and opportunities to local kids. SoCal has a great tennis community, with talented players and coaches, and that level of guidance and professionalism is incredible. Having professional events in our section—and a whole series of them—is something many other sections don’t have. It’s a huge advantage and exposure for SoCal kids.”
Main draw and qualifying wild cards are available to U.S. citizens who are either legal Southern California residents or full-time college students in the region.
Upcoming pre-qualifying schedule:
May 9-11 – Jack Kramer Club
May 15-19 – Lakewood Tennis Center
May 22-24 – Rancho Santa Fe Tennis Club
May 29-June 2 – Racquet Club of Irvine
June 6-8 – Barnes Tennis Center
June 12-14 – The Claremont Club
Southern California players can register for pre-qualifying events at:
ustasocal.com/proseries/#pre-qualifying.
To learn more, visit: ustasocal.com/proseries.
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Top Photo: Current ATP World No. 22 Learner Tien is a recent graduate of the USTA Southern California SoCal Pro Series. Photo credit (top): Jon Mulvey/USTA Southern California.