Every year coach Billy Martin marks one tournament on his calendar. It is always the third week of January. It is always the last tournament before the regular season starts. Read more...

Photo: Junior Karue Sell and the No. 4 UCLA tennis team takes part in its final preseason tournament this weekend in Thousand Oaks. (Jintak Han/Daily Bruin)

Austin Rapp didn’t start playing tennis until third grade. But he quickly fell in love. “Once I started playing tournaments and started winning some matches – I’ve always loved winning, no matter what it is,” Rapp said. Read more...

Photo: Although freshman Austin Rapp’s height has made him a naturally powerful server, UCLA men’s tennis coach Billy Martin said Rapp needs to continue working on his groundstroke and volleys in order to complete his dream of becoming one of the best college tennis players. (Jintak Han/Daily Bruin)

The fall season for the UCLA men’s tennis team features multiple college tournaments where players compete individually rather than as a team. Sophomore Mackenzie McDonald has already had his share of success this fall, winning the singles and doubles titles at the USTA/ITA Southwest Regional Championships. Read more...

Photo: Although the fall season has already ended, the competition does not stop for Mackenzie McDonald. The sophomore will be heading to Mexico to compete with professionals in the ITF Futures Tournament. (Joseph Chan/Daily Bruin)

Tennis can be a lonely sport. Before college, many top-ranked junior players only participate in individual tournaments. It is them versus the opponent, and that’s it. Read more...

Photo: Redshirt junior Karue Sell said he prefers the atmosphere of team play to that of individual match play.(Austin Yu/Daily Bruin senior staff)

Entered in both the singles draw and the doubles draw, with partner Martin Redlicki, at the USTA/ITA National Indoor Intercollegiate Championship, Mackenzie McDonald headed to Flushing, N.Y., last week with a chance to take home two titles. Read more...

Photo: Freshman Martin Redlicki (pictured) and sophomore Mackenzie McDonald were able to progress to the quarterfinals of the doubles draw before they fell to the doubles duo from Illinois. (Heidy Cadena/Daily Bruin)