Storied Ojai Tennis Tournament Cancelled

For the second consecutive year – and the seventh time in its storied 125-plus year history – the 2021 Ojai Tennis Tournament scheduled for April 21-25 has been cancelled because of ongoing health and safety concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic.

First to report the breaking news was the Twitter handle @StevePratt310.

After the 2020 Ojai Tournament was cancelled, Pratt recorded this historical look back at the cancellations digging through past articles at the Ojai Valley Museum.

The tournament, headquartered in downtown Ojai and played at venerable Libbey Park and throughout West Ventura County, has been played for all but seven years since 1896 – once for the infectious hoof and mouth disease (1924), four years during World War II (1943-46) and twice because of the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2021).

In a vote by Ojai Valley Tennis Club board members, it was determined the 120th edition of the annual tournament would not take place in April like it has traditionally since its inception in 1896.

The Ojai hosts the men’s and women’s dual-match Pac-12 Championships, as well as other collegiate events, the California Community College Athletic Association State Championships, Boys’ CIF-Southern Section divisions, men’s and women’s open prize money events and junior divisions.

The Pac-12 Conference is still competing in limited men’s and women’s dual tennis matches this season and will now search for an alternate site to host their year-end championships.

To read a statement by Ojai Board President Duane Williamson, see the posted announcement on www.TennisViewMag.com by clicking HERE.

Each year, 27 different divisions are contested at The Ojai with more than 1,250  players. Free freshly-squeezed orange juice is served in Libbey Park, as well as tea poured from silver urns under the classic tea tent and served by several of the tournament’s 600 volunteers.

For more news surrounding The Ojai, visit the website at www. TheOjai.net and like on Facebook at www. facebook.com/TheOjaiTennisTournament; Follow on Twitter (Twitter.com/TheOjai) and on Instagram (@OjaiTennis).