The short version: ‘The Ojai’ is one of the oldest tennis tournaments in America — founded in 1896, played every spring at Libbey Park under the oaks in the middle of downtown Ojai. The 124th edition ran April 22–26, 2026, and it was a landmark: the Big Ten Conference brought its men’s championship to Libbey Park, where Michigan State beat Ohio State 4–3 in a final under the lights. But the college crown is only the top layer. On the same courts, the same week, you’ll find California community-college state championships, the CIF high school divisions, open prize-money draws, and juniors — with tea served under the trees, as it has been for over a century.
What is The Ojai?
A five-day amateur tennis institution run by the Ojai Valley Tennis Club, spread across Libbey Park and courts all over the valley — the Ojai Valley Athletic Club, the Ojai Valley Inn, Thacher School, local high schools, even private home courts. It began in 1896, the same year the Big Ten Conference itself was founded, and it has been a fixture of California tennis ever since: generations of top juniors, college players, and future pros have come through these brackets.
What made the 2026 tournament special?
- The Big Ten arrived in force. After hosting the Big Ten women’s championship in 2025, The Ojai welcomed the men’s tournament in 2026 — the top ten teams, with UCLA vs. USC in the quarterfinals and a Michigan State–Ohio State final that ran past weather delays to nearly midnight on Saturday.
- A hometown honoree. Sam Querrey — the Thousand Oaks native who won The Ojai’s CIF boys’ title as a high school sophomore in 2004 and went on to the pro tour — was the 2026 honoree, and ran the free junior clinic at Libbey Park.
- Every level, one week. CCCAA state titles, CIF boys’ singles and doubles, men’s and women’s open divisions, and junior brackets from the 12s up — most finals finishing Sunday at Libbey Park.
What is tournament week like if you live here?
Libbey Park becomes the town square with a scoreboard. You get a pass (in 2026, $25 for a day, $65 for the tournament), wander between courts, drink the famous tea, and watch future pros from a folding chair ten feet from the baseline. Restaurants fill with players and families; the whole valley schedules around the draws. For residents, it’s less a sporting event than a spring ritual — the week the town shows itself off to the tennis world, and likes what it sees in the mirror.
FAQ
When is The Ojai tennis tournament?
Every spring — late April. The 124th edition ran April 22–26, 2026; the 125th will follow in April 2027, when The Ojai is also set to host the West Coast Conference championships.
Where is The Ojai played?
Center court is Libbey Park in downtown Ojai, with matches across the valley at the Ojai Valley Athletic Club, Ojai Valley Inn, Thacher School, and other local courts. Schedules and tickets are on the tournament site.
Can anyone attend, or is it members-only?
Anyone — it’s a public tournament and one of the best-value sports tickets in California. Admission is charged at the three main venues; many early-round matches at satellite courts are free to wander into.
Curious how a town of 7,500 sustains a 130-year-old tournament? It’s the same answer as the Film Festival and Ojai Day — people here show up for things. More on that in Moving to Ojai from Los Angeles and the Communities guide.
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