Since her freshman year, Khai-Ly Tran, a junior majoring in business administration, has been an active member of the tennis and pickleball community, and she has played tennis since middle school. She is on the e-board of USC’s club tennis team, and the sport is a crucial aspect of her college life. 

So when USC announced the removal of the recreational tennis and pickleball courts for the development of new Athletic facilities in that space Jan. 22, Tran jumped into action. On Feb. 12, she released a petition to urge USC to prioritize the replacement of the tennis and pickleball courts by the start of Fall 2024.

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Since its release, the petition has gained over 1,000 signatures and received a lot of support from students in the community. The petition is gaining more supporters by the day, and people are also chipping in money to promote the petition and are sharing the word through email or other social media. 

As of now, USC stated that they are actively investigating ways to replace the courts, but the changes are set to begin in May 2024. 

After reaching out to one of the directors of USC recreational sports following the news, Tran said their response was disingenuous, which frustrated her and urged her to create the petition.

“It doesn’t seem like they have as much care or place as much value on the regular student body compared to the [Division I] athletes,” said Tran in an interview with the Daily Trojan. “That’s why I wanted to do something and stand up and be a voice.” 

Tran said that these courts are more than just sports facilities, but also a place where students seek community, stress relief and engage in their passions and hobbies. 

“Sometimes I have to wait up to 30 to 40 minutes for a court, and being part of the club tennis team, I see how many people come out to try out every year during the fall and spring,” Tran said. “It’s a stress reliever, but it’s also a way to make friends, a social outlet.”

Tran said these changes pose a challenge for the USC club tennis team as they are struggling to find an area where they can practice once the courts are removed. She said it is very unclear what they will be able to use and she is afraid that without the courts there will not be as big of a community anymore. 

Jordyn Holt, a senior majoring in musical theatre, signed Tran’s petition after visiting the courts for the first time. Although she has never played tennis or pickleball, she said she has played sports her entire life and understands the excitement and community within the courts. 

“Not everyone who loves sports is majoring in sports, but that doesn’t mean that it isn’t a huge part of their lives and they don’t deserve to have space to nurture that hobby,” Holt said. “It’s so important that there are community centers where people can get together and blow off steam and have fun together that doesn’t revolve around our school studies or technology.”

Holt said she is passionate about sports and having a safe environment where people can play together — a benefit of the courts. She said it is disappointing that the courts are getting removed and hopes that they will remain open. 

“In the time I was there, it was such a loving environment,” Holt said. “People are helping you out and you’re teaching each other and it’s just such a refreshing place to be … I think these spaces really encourage us to connect with each other face-to-face in life.” 

Even during her first time at the courts, Holt emphasized how she could feel the presence of the community and how important it is to everyone. She said she felt welcomed, rather than judged, which prompted her to sign the petition right away — an easy decision according to Holt. 

“It was a beautiful place to be,” Holt said. 

Howard Zhang, a freshman majoring in electrical engineering, said he was shocked when he first heard of the news because he understands the high demand for tennis and pickleball courts and how important it is for everyone. 

“I can’t imagine there are no tennis courts next semester,” Zhang said. 

Moreover, Zhang said the community within the courts prompted him to play tennis, despite the fact that he never played prior to college. He said he met a majority of his friends at the courts and the people there are welcoming and friendly. 

According to the Recreational Sports website, further information as to the fate of the courts will be announced as the initiative behind the future of the courts becomes clear. 

“Speaking on behalf of all the USC tennis players and pickleball players, we urge USC to rebuild the courts by Fall 2024 to maintain this lively and vibrant community at USC,” Tran said. “So spread this word and urge USC to follow through on what they say if they actually do value our happiness and well-beings.”