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to make tennis accessible for any child who wants to play. Called JUMP ( Junior Tournaments Underwriting Master Plan), the program offers USTA-sanctioned beginner level tournaments hosted at the Barnes Center to kids of all ages at no cost. For players whose families wouldn't be able to afford the typical $55-$65 entry fee, a barrier is lifted. For those who can afford it, says Redondo, "I tell them, 'It's still free, so take another tennis lesson or put [that money] into your local club.'" In that way, he says, he hopes to be growing the game both through inclusion as well as by enabling players to further invest in their sport and themselves. It was also Redondo who successfully brought professional tennis back to San Diego last year, when Barnes Tennis Center hosted the inaugural ATP San Diego Open, a first for the men's tour. A resounding success that proved very popular with players and fans alike, the men's tour will return for a second annual ATP San Diego Open on September 17-25. Additionally, on October 10-16, Barnes will host the women's tour when it, too, makes a swing through San Diego. Also named the San Diego Open, it ends a seven- year drought since the last women's pro tournament here. "Bringing the professional tournaments [here] comes back to our mission," says Redondo. "When you're a child, when you can see that level of tennis and those kinds of athletes perform, it brings dreams to kids. And ultimately, that's the exciting part for us — that we can inspire kids to dream." Funding to support these dreams — and all of Barnes' programming — is generated by private donors, sponsors, and fundraising events. On August 13, Barnes will host its "Win the Match for the Kids" 2022 Gala, featuring guest speaker and International Tennis Hall of Fame legend Billie Jean King. e exclusive sponsor-level event will immediately follow the Girls' 16s finals matches of the Billie Jean King Girls' National 16s & 18s Championships, and will include a cocktail and dinner reception with live music. An online auction will go live to coincide with the start of the weeklong tournament on August 6. Open to the public, the auction will feature highlights including four premium seating tickets to see Elton John at his San Diego stop on the Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour on November 9 at Petco Park including a one-night stay at Intercontinental San Diego, two tickets to Hamilton at the San Diego Civic eatre on November 12 which also includes a one-night stay at Intercontinental San Diego, and a three-night stay at the 8,000-square-foot, gated "Happy Days" estate, the former Copley family retreat at La Casa del Zorro Resort in Borrego Springs. Like the auction, the Billie Jean King Girls' National 16s and 18s Championships are open to the public and free to attend. e Girls' 18s finals matches take place on August 14. barnestenniscenter.com Ryan Redondo ranchandcoast.com @ranchandcoast RANCH & COAST MAGAZINE AUGUST 2022 77 The inaugural ATP San Diego Men's open proved extremely popular with players and local fans Programming at Barnes Tennis Center serves kids from age three to 18 and at all skill levels