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The Los Angeles Tennis Center hosts the Mercedes Benz Cup from July 25-31, one of many attraction

An old adage around campus says that there is something for everybody at UCLA. For tennis fans and players at UCLA, “something” is somewhat of an understatement.

Tennis fans at UCLA have numerous opportunities all year round to see world-class tennis at the Los Angeles Tennis Center as well as play in many of the top facilities on campus.

Starting in spring, the UCLA women’s and men’s tennis teams play their home games at LATC and provide students and fans with free access to see two championship-caliber NCAA tennis teams.

The women’s team, for one, has reached the NCAA Championships in six consecutive years, falling just one match short of a championship in 2004.

The men’s team, meanwhile, won their 16th national championship this past year and is an annual championship contender.

Once their seasons end and summer begins, the first-rate tennis does not stop.

The Mercedes-Benz Cup, which is held every year at the end of July attracts the top professional men’s singles players from around the world to UCLA. Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras are among the past winners of the cup, and Agassi, Andy Roddick and Tommy Haas are just a few of the big names scheduled to play at this year’s event.

“(The Mercedes-Benz Cup) is a great opportunity for students and the L.A. community,” second-year student and Mercedes Benz Cup volunteer worker Chirag Patel said. “People get a chance to see the best players from all over the world right here at UCLA.”

For those who enjoy playing tennis in addition to watching it, UCLA has an abundance of opportunities.

UCLA has three tennis court facilities that are used for lessons, recreational play and intramural tournaments.

The Sunset Canyon Recreation Center has eight lighted courts that, when not being used for lessons, are open for reservations to students and other recreation cardholders.

“It is always pretty busy there,” said John Wooden Center facilities employee Alex Garcia. “We encourage students to make reservations as soon as possible.”

Sycamore Park, located south of the Hitch Suites at the very west end of campus, has six tennis courts available for reservations from dawn to dusk.

But the gem of the tennis facilities available for students to play on is the LATC itself. From 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on weekdays and 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekends, students have the opportunity to play on the same stadium courts that the UCLA teams and professionals play on. Playing tennis at the LATC is a unique experience that can leave one in awe.

“I feel shaky standing on center court sometimes,” third-year student Chris Tanja said. “It has such an aura around it.”

With so much good tennis to watch and so many quality facilities to play at, tennis fans and players can find what they’re looking for at UCLA.