Ojai Tennis Tournament

The Ojai Tennis Tournament is an annual tennis tournament in western Ventura County, headquartered at Libbey Park in downtown Ojai, California, about 80 miles north of Los Angeles.[4][5] It was begun in 1896, and is the country's oldest and largest amateur tennis tournament held in one location.[6][7][8]

The Ojai Tennis Tournament is one of North America’s largest amateur tennis tournaments, with 1,500 tennis players, up from the 12 players in the initial tournament in the 19th century, and 500 entrants in 1949.[9][10][11] By 1912, it was the largest amateur tennis tournament in the US.[12] Among those who have played in it are May Sutton, Bill Tilden, Tony Trabert, Bobby Riggs, Jack Kramer, Billie Jean King, Arthur Ashe, Stan Smith, Jimmy Connors, Tracy Austin, Lindsay Davenport, Pete Sampras, and the Bryan twins.[5][13][7]

In 1922, tournament entrance fees were $1 ($15 in current dollar terms), and grounds admission (including afternoon tea) was $.50 ($8 in current dollar terms) on the first day and $.75 ($11 in current dollar terms) on the last day.[11] In 1924, an outbreak of a cattle disease called hoof and mouth disease led to a halt to travel, and the consequent cancellation of the tournament.[14][5]

In 2018 for the first time in the over-a-century history of the Ojai Tennis Tournament, it offered equal prize money to the Men's and Women's Open divisions.[15] In 2020 the 120th edition of the tournament was cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic concerns.[16]