By SDCN Staff
La Jolla, CA–Tournament officials have announced seeded players and draws for the 2026 United States Tennis Association National Women’s Senior Hard Court Championships beginning May 4 at La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club.
Defending champion Julie Thu of Austin, TX is the top seed in the 50 and over singles division. The 50-year-old Thu, a former touring tennis professional, achieved a career high No. 229 in the WTA Singles Rankings in July, 2000. She is currently the No. 1 ranked player in the International Tennis Federation Singles 50+ Rankings.
The second seed in the 50 and over singles division is two-time champion Amanda Parson Siegel of Santa Ana, CA She captured the singles title in 2023 and 2024.
In the 60 and over singles draw, former champion Vicki Buholz of Dallas, TX is the top seed. She won the 60 and over singles championship in 2023. Kathy Archibald of Dana Point, CA is seeded second. Archibald is currently ranked No. 24 in the ITF Singles 60+ Rankings.
Elizabeth Kuhle of Rancho Mirage, CA is the No. 1 seed in the 70 and over singles division. Kuhle reached a career-high No. 12 in the ITF Singles 70+ Rankings in June 2024. Local resident Una Davis of La Jolla is seeded second. Davis achieved a career-high No. 9 in the ITF Singles 70+ Rankings in December 2024.
The 80 and over singles draw is led by top-seeded Susan Kimball of Oak Bluffs, MA who reached last year’s 80 and over singles final. Defending 80 and over singles champion Betty Wachob of Panama City, FL is seeded second.
All seeded players in the 50, 60 and 70 and over singles divisions received first-round byes and will play their opening matches on May 5. All seeded players in the 80 and over singles draw also received first-round byes and will play their first matches on Wednesday, May 6.
The USTA National Women’s Senior Hard Court Championships features top players from across the country in the 50, 60, 70, and 80 and over age divisions. Events include singles and doubles. USTA gold, silver or bronze balls, along with prize money, will be awarded to first, second and third place finishers in all events.
The starting times for each day of the tournament are May 4 at 9 a.m., May 5 through May 8 to 8 a.m., and May 9 and May 10 at 9 a.m.
The La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club welcomes tennis enthusiasts to view the tournament and will offer free admission to spectators each day of the event. Tournament attendees and spectators may dine on-site in the Club Dining Room as well as the Club’s Snack Bar during the tournament. On-site parking is available for a nominal fee.
The USTA National Women’s Senior Hard Court Tennis Championships are part of the International Tennis Federation’s World Tennis Masters Tour, which provides a worldwide competitive circuit consisting of individual singles, doubles and mixed doubles events for each five-year age increment from 30+ to 90+. For additional information on the ITF World Tennis Masters Tour, click here.
The La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club’s 53rd annual Men’s Senior Championships will also take place that week in conjunction with the women’s events, and will 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 will feature many senior players who regularly compete in national tournaments.
