Part of what makes the Ojai Valley tennis culture so unique is the annual tennis tournament known as The Ojai. Starting in 1896, this tournament gained popularity and became both the biggest and oldest amateur tennis tournament in the United States. The year 2025 will be the tournament’s 123rd year in action.
Throughout The Ojai’s history, the Pac-12 Conference has been a significant component to the success and popularity of the tournament. After 70 years of being a part of Ojai Valley history, the Pac-12 will no longer be participating in the tournament. The conference consisted of top schools such as USC, UCLA, Stanford, University of Washington, UC Berkeley, and University of Oregon.
Although it won’t be the same, some of the PAC-12 schools will be joining the Big 10 Conference, which includes all of the same schools listed above. Other divisions in the tournament include junior-level players, CIF boys’ singles and doubles, California community colleges, and open divisions for men and women.
“There is a sense of inspiration at the end of the tournament,” said Katya Welborn, the current recreation department coach. “And a fulfilling factor where we, the community of Ojai, come together and support all these elite athletes to succeed and play their best.”
The Ojai tennis tournament lights up the town as a whole and gains support from everyone in the Ojai tennis community, as well as people outside of the tennis community. Everyone comes to support the players during Ojai’s most popular annual event of the year. Ojai’s large number of tennis players, coaches, and teams make up a significant part of the community.
The parks are filled with tennis courts, and there are always lessons going on at Libbey Park or the Ojai Valley Athletic Club. A major part of growing up in Ojai is being acquainted with the tennis culture. Whether it’s someone you know who plays or you start to take lessons yourself, most people here have some type of connection to the sport. I believe that is what makes tennis in Ojai so distinct, as the community shares a universal admiration and connection to it.
In my experience, I began to play tennis in 2020, the year I moved to Ojai with my family. I started taking lessons through the recreation department with Scott Burton, who was one of the greatest coaches I have ever had. Burton always radiated enthusiasm and energy on the court, which made me and everyone else want to keep playing. His passion for the sport was contagious and encouraged me to improve my game. I would go out to one of the many accessible courts in Ojai and practice as much as I possibly could. Having something I loved to do all the time while also exercising was incredibly fulfilling and guided me even further into the complex world of tennis within this small town.
Being able to be a part of a community that shares a common interest brings me both comfort and a sense of belonging. From the smaller community of tennis players and coaches in Ojai to the college players that travel for the famous tournament, the town of Ojai will always proudly represent the passion they have for the sport of tennis.