The 88th annual Santa Barbara Open Tennis Tournament showcased strong local dominance as hometown athletes captured top honors across multiple divisions. Held over two weekends at various courts around the city, the event featured 118 competitors from across the U.S. and offered a record $10,000 in prize money. Out of the 22 finalists, 16 hailed from the Santa Barbara region, highlighting the depth of regional talent. Sponsored by Manchester Capital Management, the tournament brought together players from different age groups and skill levels, with standout performances in singles and doubles categories. Among the most notable was Shakhnoza Khatamova, who secured victories in both Women’s Singles and Mixed Doubles, cementing her status as a key player in the competition.
Tournament Highlights and Championship Results
The 88th edition of the Santa Barbara Open Tennis Tournament unfolded across multiple venues including Knowlwood Tennis Club, Santa Barbara Tennis Club, Westmont College, and Santa Barbara High School. With 118 participants vying for titles in seven distinct categories, the competition saw an overwhelming presence of local athletes. Sixteen out of the final 22 contenders were based in the Santa Barbara area, collectively securing a share of the historic $10,000 prize pool.
In the Men’s Singles final, Santa Barbara native Stefan Menichella emerged victorious after defeating Adam Large from Fullerton. On the women's side, former UCSB tennis standout Shakhnoza Khatamova claimed the singles title by besting current Gaucho player Marie Weissheim. The Men’s Doubles crown went to the pairing of Matt Berry of Santa Barbara and Ryder Jackson from San Francisco, who triumphed over Garrett Patton and Brendan McClain.
In doubles play, Lucy Lu and Marie Weissheim of UCSB took the Women’s Doubles title by overcoming Caitlyn and Nicole Buist, a sister duo representing Santa Barbara High. Khatamova returned to the court alongside Garrett Patton to win the Mixed Doubles division against Delilah Rizvi and Ilya Bolotsky. Meanwhile, Karen Marangozyan from Panorama City won the Men’s 40 & Over Singles title by defeating Santa Barbara’s Ed Lazarus. Lazarus later bounced back, teaming up with Neil Levinson to win the all-local Men’s 40 & Over Doubles final against Ashley Fickel and Matt Pond.
Reflections on Regional Athletic Excellence
As a journalist covering community sports, witnessing such a high level of local success is always inspiring. The dominance of Santa Barbara-based athletes in a nationally attended event like the 88th Open speaks volumes about the strength of the area's tennis programs and grassroots development. Events like this not only elevate individual athletes but also reinforce the importance of investing in youth and collegiate training systems. It’s encouraging to see so many homegrown talents competing at a high level and bringing recognition to their hometown. This tournament serves as a reminder that elite-level sports aren't confined to big stadiums—they thrive in neighborhood courts and community clubs too.