The Ojai

On Feb. 15, 1896, the Ojai players met the Ventura players in the first match - Ojai won. The matches were being played on the old dirt court, which was located slightly to the east of the present courts, in Libbey Park. The courts had been built on the back section of the old Blumberg Hotel that stood in the downtown block. The tennis court was available for use by the members daily, and there were special matches held on Saturdays. The Ojai reported that: "The pleasure of the game was greatly increased by erecting at each end of the court a wire netting backstop six feet high and sixty feet long." By Dave Mason, Ojai Valley News, 2000

Always fun looking back in the archives at old Ojai stories. Check out this finals report on the front page of the LA Times sports section from 1965. Sure you may recognize some names.

Sad to hear the passing of Dennis Ralston, one of The Ojai's greatest champions who passed away today at age 78 from cancer. Ralston, far right, and USC teammate Bill Bond beat UCLA's Arthur Ashe and Charlie Pasarell in the Men's Intercollegiate Doubles final in 1964. As a 17 yo high school senior from Bakersfield, Ralston fell to Rafael Osuna in the 1960 Ojai Men's Open singles final. Two months later and the two teamed to incredibly win the Wimbledon doubles title. https://www.tennis.com//remembering-dennis-ralston-/92039/

Catching up with former Ojai champion Brandon Holt! HOLT CAPTURES ORACLE ITA MASTERS EVENT Former USC All-American Brandon Holt hoisted the 2020 Oracle ITA Masters By UTR trophy for the second time, beating Ohio State sophomore Cannon Kingsley, 6-3, 6-1, on Sunday at the Barnes Tennis Center in San Diego. ... Holt, who in May was awarded the ITA Southwest Player of the Year Award, is the event’s first two-time winner having captured the singles title as a Trojan sophomore back in 2017. Holt was awarded the $5,000 first-place prize money with Kingsley collecting $2,500 in the tournament that featured college, elite juniors and professionals who had their fall seasons significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Holt needed two super-tiebreakers to advance to the final after dropping first sets to familiar foes. Holt beat USC Trojan Bradley Frye in a 10-point breaker, 10-3, then also dropped the first set against UCLA’s Keegan Smith before advancing to the final with a 10-5 super-tiebreaker win after splitting sets. Kingsley was a 2020 ITA Singles All American and ITA Rookie of the Year. The 22-year-old Holt, the son of tennis Hall of Famer Tracy Austin, will next look to end the year by playing some remaining USTA Pro Circuit Futures and Challengers events that remain on the schedule.

Great looking Ojai Tennis Tournament face covering on our own Tony Thacher at the Santa Barbara Farmers Market this morning with his amazing Friend’s Ranch produce. Looking good, Tony! Message us on details on how to order your face covering today!

It's with a touch of sadness we report that Ojai tennis legends the Bryan Bros. have decided to retire from tennis at this time. Good luck to the Bros. as they move on to the next phase of their lives. https://www.tennis.com//bryan-brothers-announce-the/90294/

A look back at the life of UCLA's legendary coach Glenn Bassett. USTA SoCal's Steve Pratt spoke with former players and coaches who worked intimately with Bassett over the years, forming friendships that would last a lifetime. Read about it here: https://www.ustasocal.com/pratt-whos-who-of-college-tennis-

So proud of one of our own doing such great work giving back to those who need it most.

The Ojai Tennis Tournament can't wait to see all the players, coaches and fans back on the courts in April, 2021. We are selling special customized masks with elastic straps that are super comfy. Just IM The Ojai FB page your mailing address and information.

In 2016, The Ojai brought back UCLA and USC coaching legends Glenn Bassett and Dick Leach and honored them at the Thursday Night BBQ. It was a very memorable evening. Check out this story from that year's Ojai Tennis Magazine and a photo of Glenn as a player in action. Some great SoCal tennis memories! By Steve Pratt The year was 1942 74 years ago and Glenn Bassett was a scrappy, 12-year-old Lincoln Junior High student who found himself in the final of The Ojai Boys’ 1...Continue reading

He will be missed. https://uclabruins.com//mens-tennis-ucla-mourns-loss-of-le

Coach Bassett was an all-time great Bruin and past Ojai champion. RIP!

One of the great guys we've gotten to know over the years. Will missing seeing you at The Ojai! Good luck Tyler.

The long-awaited 1993 Boys' 14s finals photo. Boys’ 14s singles: Ryan Moore (Fullerton) def. Zachary Fleishman (Playa del Rey)