The UCLA men’s tennis team will face off against rival University of Southern California at the Los Angeles Tennis Center on Friday, March 13, at 3 p.m. PT, according to a March 11 announcement. The Bruins enter the match with an 8-3 record and are coming off a successful start to Big Ten Conference play.
This matchup is significant as both teams have strong records this season and a long-standing rivalry. UCLA has won three consecutive matches and six of its last seven, while USC, ranked No. 25 nationally, has won six straight matches. The event is also designated as UCLA’s GolDEN Match, featuring special appearances by the UCLA Band and free pizza for early attendees after doubles.
Fans who cannot attend in person can follow live scoring and streaming through the official UCLA website or receive updates via the team’s X account. In their most recent meeting on Feb. 21, USC narrowly defeated UCLA 4-3.
UCLA recently swept Indiana and Purdue on the road to open conference play. Emon van Loben Sels played a key role by clinching victories in both matches. Van Loben Sels has developed a reputation for performing well under pressure, having secured eight clinching wins during his career with the Bruins.
Several Bruins are recognized in national rankings: Emon van Loben Sels is ranked No. 35 in singles, Spencer Johnson is No. 57, and Rudy Quan is No. 104 as of early March. In doubles, Johnson/van Loben Sels are ranked No. 35 and Quan/Tripathi are No. 40.
Looking back at last season, UCLA finished with a record of 19-9 overall and captured its first Big Ten Tournament championship by defeating Ohio State in a dramatic final that ended the Buckeyes’ long home winning streak. Key players such as van Loben Sels and Quan received individual honors for their performances throughout the year.
Head coach Billy Martin continues his tenure into a milestone year—his thirty-third season leading the program—with an overall coaching record of 684-178 (.794). Under Martin’s leadership, UCLA has claimed numerous conference titles and NCAA championships.
