Every January the District holds its annual awards dinner and banquet at the La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club to honor those individuals, clubs, and tournaments that made a significant contribution to San Diego tennis throughout the year.
The recipients for the 2025 awards are:
Male Player of the Year: Rodolfo Rodriguez
Female Player of the Year: Sanem Ahearn
Family of the Year: Svajda
Female Pro/Coach of the Year: Nadia Abdala
Nadia Abdala was born in Mexico City and began playing tennis at the ripe old age of 4, as her parents were tennis players. She played a lot of junior tennis and by age 13, her family recognized that there was not a lot of competition in Mexico. Nadia's family relocated to San Diego, where she began training under now legendary coach Wolf Von Lindenau at the Barnes Center. Nadia continued to excel and played high school tennis at Eastlake High, and then followed her sister's lead to a full-ride scholarship at Arizona State University. It was clear to Nadia that she wanted to pursue a career in professional tennis, and she did just that. After two years as a pro, Nadia had a career-ending shoulder injury. A short stint in a marketing job only confirmed that her passion remained with tennis.
Nadia went on to coach the La Jolla Country Day tennis program for two years, but when an Assistant Coaches job was posted at the University of San Diego, she was on the move. When Nadia arrived at USD, the women's program had a record of 4-17. Five years later, USD was in the NCAA Championships, and Nadia's squads have reached those Championships for each of the past 5 years. Nadia has an amazingly strong work ethic, which showed during her 8 year tenure as an Assistant Coach. Head coach Sherri Stevens was set to retire, and a nationwide search was conducted for her replacement. The search committee concluded that Nadia was the best candidate, and she has now been the Head Coach for USD for the past three years. Her women's squad qualified for the Indoor Nationals, ranked 14th, and this past year they were ranked 12th, with an inspirational win over National Champion Texas A&M. Nadia's 2025 team has two seniors, one ranked 31st, another ranked 39th. The remaining five are all freshmen. When asked if 2025 would be a rebuilding year, Nadia responded "No, 2026 will be the rebuilding year when I lose my two seniors!". USD has eight full-ride scholarships, but plays with only 7 passionate team members. All seven women are on fullride scholarships at USD. When I asked Nadia what it was that she wanted the crowd to know about her, she said "I am very passionate about tennis, about what I do, and about helping others". If you want to energize her passion, she wants everyone to come out and support the women's team, as the team was built as a reflection of her. "I just want the matches full of people with as much passion for the game as I have". Congratulations, Nadia on your accomplishments!
Male Pro/Coach of the Year: Matt Previdi
Matt Previdi has run tennis clubs virtually all of his life. It was a lifestyle - he literally grew up at a country club in Connecticut and muses that working in clubs and teaching are the only jobs that he has ever had. His dad, Billy, was, and still is, a tennis coach, and Billy taught Matt to play as a child. While he played in high school, Matt never played college tennis. Matt was determined to live and work in California, but the only response to his resume was from La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club, that evidently had a rule that they would only consider pros who were already living here -- so Matt packed up and moved to California with no job and no car, only to find out that there was no job available at LJB&TC as they had just hired someone. Determined, he couchsurfed and offered to work for free at LJB&TC, where he ended up working for Conan and Bill for five years and learned one big thing to ask himself during his ongoing career -- what would Conan do?
Matt went on to coach the La Jolla High School boys’ team for 7 years and then needed to spread his wings. He moved over to the Rancho Santa Fe TC, where he coached and ran the pro shop. Stringing was a way to differentiate himself and Matt is a stringing professional and racquet customization specialist who strung for Rafael Nadal and others at Indian Wells, the Easter Bowl Tournament, the Pac 12 Ojai Open, the Kalamazoo tournament and for the 2011 Fed Cup Team. Matt eventually moved to Morgan Run and then finally found his sweet spot as Director of Adult Tennis at Balboa Tennis Club. He was recently promoted to General Manager of HJK Ventures, by Hiromi Sasano, the operator of the tennis program at Balboa. Matt has continually assessed and analyzed the tennis environment in San Diego and has delivered innovative programming to meet those needs, including his ever-popular Sip-N-Serve program (catering to the 40 year old age group), his version of "knock-out", and most recently, the always sold-out-with-a-waiting-list Adult Beginner Color Ball progression sessions (catering to the 18-35 year old age group). He is a SDDTA Board Member, and Chairman of Adult Recruitment Committee, created in 2024 to expand his innovative Adult Color Ball program to other San Diego clubs. Yes, tennis is a lifestyle for Matt, and his passion, dedication and successful programs are experienced by large portions of the tennis community. One other little known fact is that Matt is the lead singer for local band 'Paging the 90's", a high-energy show that you just need to see to believe. Congratulations, Matt, on sticking to your guns and being a program innovator “You rock", literally!
Sponsor of the Year: Larry and Judy Belinsky
Every community has its patrons and supporters of one kind or another. The San Diego Tennis Community has the good fortune of being blessed by Judy and Larry Belinsky for all they’ve done to support and help grow tennis over many decades. Credit Larry’s father, Arnold Belinsky’s keen foresight in rounding up Larry’s closest friends, at an early age, “The College Racoueteers” as they were called. At one point the group grew to 20 players and all were given matching shirts with crossed racquets. Arnold recognized tennis can be a lonely sport and having your friends to share the experience would make it far more likely Larry, his brother Craig and sister Sheila would stick with the sport.
Thanks to meeting Larry at age 15, Judy was introduced to the game of tennis. What started as a recreational activity quickly blossomed into a lifelong passion. For the next few years, Judy enjoyed playing casually, but it wasn't long before she began participating in tournaments, a journey that has spanned over 40 years. Throughout this time, she dedicated herself to league tennis for 30 years, constantly honing her skills and embracing the competitive spirit that the game fosters. The sport became more than just a pastime; it became a vital part of her life and identity. As she and Larry started a family, they recognized the invaluable lessons that tennis offered. They encouraged their children to take up the sport, and witnessed firsthand the benefits it brought to their lives. Not only did they learn new skills, but they also developed focus, resilience, and the ability to learn from both wins and losses. The friendships they formed on the court became cherished bonds that enriched their lives. Judy & Larry’s journey with tennis has been about more than just playing; it's about sharing the joy and advantages of the game with others. They are committed to perpetuating the positive impact that tennis has had on their family, hoping to inspire and benefit others in the community as well. Through tennis, they’ve experienced growth, connection, and countless rewarding moments, and they look forward to passing those gifts on to future generations.
The concept of giving back has been ingrained in Larry from a very young age. Larry saw how his grandparents and parents had given back. Both grandparents on Larry’s mother and fathers side were Presidents of their congregation and gave often to their Jewish communities. Arnold & Esther Belinsky would give back to tennis throughout Larry’s life and helped fund building the Barnes Tennis Center by donating $250,000. To this day, whenever he and Judy are asked to contribute to great causes, tennis in particular, they feel blessed to be able to so. It’s become a part of their heritage and who they are. Larry’s sister Sheila has a foundation in memory of her daughter called “Molly’s Angels”. Larry & Judy were the first to sponsor a court at the San Diego Tennis fest two years ago. In 2024 their sponsorship led to other clubs and individuals following suit which ultimately covered a 3rd of the events cost. They continue to donate each year to the Barnes Gala, SD Tennis Fest, San Diego Tennis Hall of Fame Arnold Belinsky Memorial Tournament (With mother Esther), and our Annual Awards Banquet. Thank you, Judy & Larry!
Tournament of the Year: Rancho Santa Fe Open
If “it takes a village” to raise a child, how about a professional tennis tournament? The San Diego District’s 2025 Tournament of the Year, the Rancho Santa Fe Open, is a testament to the power of community, hospitality, and excellence. Set against the backdrop of a picturesque club, the event blends world-class action with the warmth and support of a close-knit village driven by a shared love for the sport. This haven provides a welcoming environment that feels like a second home to players, fans, and the strong covenant that built one of the hidden gems of the WTA’s annual schedule where feature stars start to shine.
Passing through to Center Court, a dazzling pink banner demonstrates a massive list of over forty-five local businesses and family sponsors. But donating toward the impressive 60K prize fund isn’t the only purpose: the tourney charges spectators no entry fees each October. And the support goes beyond financial contributions for casitas are opened to house participants where the keys to the convertibles are generously offered to shuttle athletes to and from the facility. The 360 RSF Tennis Club members have created an atmosphere where players (ranked 75 to 300) feel the cozy and hospitable ambiance, and make intentions to return year after year.
The tournament has become a launchpad for both established and up-and-coming stars. Players like Lulu Sun, who made a splash by reaching the quarterfinals at Wimbledon eight months after being a finalist at the 2023 Rancho Santa Fe Open, demonstrate just how important this event is for rising talent. The 2024 tournament featured a remarkable comeback story like Canadian Rebecca Marino, whose quarterfinal run at RSF helped propel a career resurgence, culminating in a win at the Dow Open a month later and a climb back to world No. 102.
The tournament also offers unique opportunities for San Diego's future tennis stars, with four wildcards given to local young talents, including San Diego State students and teenage phenoms like 15 year-old Carlsbad native Julieta Pareja. But those aren’t the only stars attending annually. Local heroes Rod Laver and Coco Vandeweghe drop-in multiple days of the week, culminating in a who’s who particularly the Friday before tourney during their spectacular 140-person VIP cocktail party. This kick off celebration involves food, music, exhibition matches, and firsthand acknowledgment of the magic in this “village.”
At the heart of this enterprise is General Manager John Chanfreau, whose humility and dedication to the broader vision shine through in every aspect. Under his leadership, RSF earned USTA’s “Outstanding Private Facility” National Award in 2023, achievements he quickly deflects credit to his dedicated staff of 17 team members and the broader Rancho Santa Fe community. This humble approach to leadership, focused on the collective good rather than individual recognition, has ensured the long-term success of the Rancho Santa Fe Open and its place as a cornerstone of the ITF calendar. In every point played on these courts, and every interaction between players, fans, and the community, the spirit of the Rancho Santa Fe Open is alive: a commitment to nurturing talent by creating a space where the love of tennis can thrive. It’s no wonder this “village” is quickly becoming one of the most beloved stops on the professional circuit and San Diego’s 2025 Tournament of the Year.
Community Service: Conan Lorenzo, Jenna Mariga
It’s been truly remarkable in so many ways. Simply put, it’s not easy to measure the impact a podcast like the one Conan Lorenzo and Janna Mariga put together over a year ago has made. However, for anyone interested in the San Diego Tennis Community or tennis in general, there’s no denying the value and quality of content they deliver every time they release a new episode. The podcast title in question is called; “The Tennis Pros of San Diego Unmatched”.
Conan Lorenzo has been a well-known San Diego Tennis Community force for many years. When you add them up, the number of hats Conan wears related to tennis is staggering. He’s the Director of Tennis and a teaching pro for the prestigious La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club, the San Diego area USTA Junior Team Tennis (JTT) program coordinator, RSPA/(USPTA) coach developer for the San Diego section, and somehow, he still finds time to do a weekly podcast about tennis. At this point, you may be asking, who is Jenna Mariga and how did she end up as Conan’s podcast co-host? Jenna is a teaching pro at La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club. It turns out that a week before asking Jenna to do a podcast together, Conan and Jenna met to discuss her goals. She told Conan she needed to be challenged, pushed, motivated, and always have new things going on. After Conan listened to a tennis podcast someone turned him on to while traveling in Florida he thought man, we could do better.
Although they had no idea what it took to do a podcast, Conan let Jenna handle getting the necessary equipment and broadcast formats put together. Here we are, over 1 year later, and their podcast continues to evolve from just seeing where the conversation goes to building more structure while keeping a conversational feel. They’ve also implemented using listener feedback to drive content. The importance of the podcast to the San Diego Tennis Community and anywhere people play tennis can’t be overstated. It provides a platform to hear from coaches and players at all levels, about tennis equipment, sports nutrition, sports psychology, fitness, court resurfacing, tennis club management, juniors’ programs, high school tennis, adult tennis, pros, tournament, and league play, and much more.
Jenna and Conan were truly honored to hear about the Community Service Award. They say the award reflects the positive growth and impact they see in the San Diego tennis community and is a testament to the vision that they share for their podcast. Creating a space where San Diego’s tennis players and enthusiasts can thrive. They always wanted to help build the best tennis arena in the region, one that not only supports tennis players and all athletes but also fosters a deeper knowledge of the sport. They feel it’s especially rewarding to contribute to San Diego in this capacity, expanding their impact beyond on-court coaching.
They’re proud to see how their efforts are making a difference, and are excited to continue helping the community grow. To listen to Conan and Jenna’s podcast, use the link here. We're Getting an AWARD! Host: John Broderick - The Tennis Pros of San Diego Unmatched | Podcast on Spotify Check out the USTA SoCal article about Southern California tennis podcasts, Conan & Jenna and are the featured story. SoCal Tennis Podcasts Out to Educate and Entertain - USTA Southern California
Male Sportsperson: Bernie Buggs
Bernie Buggs has captained USTA men's leagues out of Kit Carson over the past 10 years. Not only have his teams been competitive, but twenty of his teams have made it to sectionals.
Bernie was an all-star baseball player before he took up tennis at the age of 15. He started by bringing out a 5-gallon bucket of flat tennis balls with his friend from Laos in Janesville,
WI. He played with wood racquets at the time and didn't have any instruction, just the will to want to learn to play tennis well. He worked hard and put in countless hours on court. They would play all day and into the night under the lights. It was cold as well as they were in Wisconsin playing through the winter. He had an appreciation for hard work, and what it takes to get good at a sport from the ground up. In just 3 years, he was playing line 1 varsity singles for his high school in Wisconsin. He went on to play tennis at a junior college and later at a division III school, the University of Wisconsin Stout/Menominee where he later became an assistant coach. He later coached beginning juniors, adults as well as college kids looking for a hitting partner. He moved to Arcadia California where he continued teaching tennis before moving to San Marcos in 2002. At that time, he began playing USTA leagues and the North County Men's Doubles league. Aside from his high level of play, what sets Bernie apart from everyone has always been his ability to demonstrate a consistently high level of sportsmanship. For Bernie, sportsmanship means always having the best of intentions. Showing opponents and partners compassion, kindness, and understanding. It also means bringing a positive vibration and energy to the court which resonates with everyone to have a fun experience. To ensure matches go well and everyone has a great experience, Bernie likes to establish relationships with each person with small talk and finding commonality.
Additionally, he likes to laugh and have fun in the process keeping the tone lighthearted. He says he has the utmost respect for the game and wants to share tennis with others and help raise their game anyway possible. He says Tennis is for life and can help many people mentally and physically.
A father to 2 boys, Bernie coached their basketball, baseball, soccer, and flag football teams. He has a passion for serving others and providing an environment for learning and exploration. He's proud of his boys and the men they have become while being humble and great teammates.
Currently, Bernie plays primarily at Kit Carson Park and has been for the past 20 years. He manages the 18+ 4.5 Men’s team, Men’s 55+ team, and 40+ men’s teams. He also participates in mixed 8.0 and 9.0 tennis all out of Kit Carson. He's played in member guest events at RSF, and El Camino Country Club. He played the 3-surface tournament in Palm Desert the past 2 years - won the men's 4.5 draw one year and went to the finals the following year. He also played the La Jolla Rec tournament many times and last year played the 40 nationals at the LJ B& TC. Bernie has long been one of the most respected players in the San Diego Tennis Community for his level of play and highest level of sportsmanship. Congratulations!
Female Sportsperson: Tiffany Kellogg
When asked about her earliest tennis memories, Tiffany recalled her dad, Bill feeding her balls at the tender age of two. She said her dad’s love for the sport was so infectious that she's loved it ever since first playing. From that point, Bill was her main coach. She played her first tournament when she was 8 years old at the La Jolla Rec Center in the father-daughter division. She recalls how much it meant that he let her play all the balls on her side of the court rather than her dad taking over the court. She went on to play high school tennis at Bishops in La Jolla where her team won CIFs her senior year. As it turned out, her doubles match was the deciding factor in the teams victory.
After high school, Tiffany didn’t get back into tennis until she was 26. She chose to play doubles with her mom, Tricia. She discovered the Brad Gilbert book, “Winning Ugly” which she described a “mind-blowing”. Among other things, she learned it’s not always about your game looking pretty. She would take the book to her matches and refer to highlighted passages on changeovers to adjust her game. It proved to be so effective for her she would rarely lose a match for quite some time. After getting back into tennis she soon realized how much she loved playing the sport she grew up with. She got involved in playing USTA league and tournament tennis and quickly moved up from 3.5, 4.0 to 4.5 NTRP level rating. She and Bill have won 2 gold, 1 silver, and 2 bronze balls in father-daughter National USTA tournaments together. Tiffany says her best friend, Allison Sterett and close friend since high school, Scott Crabtree, have been her doubles partners on many occasions. She also says her community of friends are all tennis players.
You would be hard pressed to find of anybody who represents tennis better than Tiffany. She is as supportive a partner as you will ever find. Gracious, generous, and fun-loving. She’s the type of player anyone could use as a role model in terms of her character, sportsmanship, effort, and uncommonly good nature. Whether she’s winning or losing, she always compliments her opponent. She says tennis is so much about community and, family, whether that's, actual blood family or friendships. I can play the sport until I’m 95. Sharing it with her husband, Adam her kids, parents, and grandparents has been especially rewarding. The way tennis connects generations is truly remarkable. Her son Calvin asked to play grandfather-grandson with Bill in the recent National tournament at her home club which was the ultimate full-circle moment for her.
Tiffany says good sportsmanship is about spreading the love of the game, win or lose. It’s about respecting her opponents, celebrating their efforts, and showing gratitude for the opportunity to play a sport she’s passionate about. Tennis is just a game, but how it’s played (or really, how we play any sport/game!) can inspire something much bigger. Kindness can create a ripple effect of respect and camaraderie. We’re lucky to be able to be doing this and keeping that gratefulness at the forefront is what sportsmanship is to me. Win or lose she feels lucky and grateful every time she walks onto the tennis court. Congratulations, Tiffany!
Club of the Year: El Camino Country Club
El Camino Country Club (ECCC) excels in community service, special events/programs, league participation, and creating an inclusive atmosphere for everyone. Led by Tennis Director, Laura Condon, in her 16th year following her brother, Curt, the previous tennis director for 14 years, the club has gone above and beyond what one might normally see for a club this size. With seven tennis courts and one converted court to four pickleball courts, and approximately 200 players, Laura continually talks about the “nicest, caring members,” and the feelings are reciprocated. The nomination talked about Laura stressing positivity, sportsmanship, and court etiquette. Laura also had a shoutout for GM Gus Siggins who has been very supportive of her and her programs.
In the last twelve months, the club has hosted Special Olympics practices and tournaments, donated tennis balls to five senior living facilities and the AARF animal shelter, and school supplies to Solutions for Change. Fundraisers support the Women’s Resource Center, the San Diego North County Food Bank, and military families.
They have teams in virtually every league (sometimes multiple teams), at various levels for men, women, mixed, and age groups. At times, they have 15-20 league teams. Laura has a mixture of clinics and private lessons, with one unique popular clinic, “Live Ball,” with 10 players to a court who play a series of 2/3 pts, with music, like cardio tennis. It is also popular with juniors (different music than the adults).
The most impactful event of the year was the CPR and AED training of 110 members, educating participants on life-saving techniques and enhancing community preparedness after member, Ken Moran, experienced cardiac arrest on the courts. Due to the immediate actions and quick thinking of others on the courts, Ken is one of the lucky 5-10% survivors, as club members rallied to support the Moran family. It was a serious eye-opening event and ECCC took the opportunity to educate members, who Laura praised as “phenomenal.”
El Camino Country Club is a clear standout. Their charitable contributions, active participation, and the core values of excellence, support, and community spirit, are all strong attributes that make them the club of the year.
Comments