2022 Ojai Tennis Tournament Magazine

The Ojai TENNIS TOURNAMENT

Celebrating 120 Years

APRIL 20-24, 2022

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Ojai Valley Museum

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

April 22 • 6:30pm

Tea Time Under the Tent Only at The Ojai

Libbey Park

April 23 • 12 & 3pm The Ojai Valley Tennis Club Board of Directors has announced the following

Health & Safety Protocols

for the 120th Ojai Tennis Tournament:

In order to provide the safest possible event for all involved, the following mandates will be required.

The following is a message from first-year Ojai Valley Tennis Club Tea Tent Committee Chairperson Karin Klemm: As you can imagine, we are all overjoyed that we are able to have this wonderful event again, after two long years!

We are happy to announce that the Tea Tent is back with the same tradition and elegance you have come to expect from this historical feature of The Ojai Tennis Tournament.

Offered at $1,250,000

Tea and cookies will be served Thursday-Sunday afternoon.

PAT T Y WALTCHER

Thursday 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm Friday 2:30 pm - 5:00 pm Saturday 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm Sunday 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm We are looking forward to seeing everyone under the tent at The Ojai!

25 years matching people and property in the Ojai Valley

The 120th Ojai Tennis Tournament 2022

Text TENNIS to 805-669-9619

Pac-12 Finals

April 21 • 5:30pm

This 22 acre lot on Koenigstein Road presents a rare opportunity to build a fabulous estate or a private mountain getaway. With multiple buildings sites and ample usable land, the lot has unsurpassed, panoramic views of the Topa Topa Bluffs, the Santa Ynez mountains, and the entire Upper Ojai Valley. Graced with three seasonal streams, moss-covered, sculptural native boulders and a variety of majestic oaks, the land has a wild, magical quality that is immediately palpable. There is an existing private well and an additional one-third interest in a shared well. It has a paved driveway, easily accessed from highway 150 halfway bet ween Ojai and Santa Paula, and lies within the Ojai Valley Unified School district.

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All visitors must provide valid proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 at all paid tournament sites, including front and back of Libbey Park, Ojai Valley Inn and Ojai Valley Athletic Club.

To keep all patrons on site as safe as possible, no exemptions to the vaccination policy will be allowed.

This includes all tournament players, coaches, volunteers, staff, sponsors, media, vendors, as well as spectators.

The 120th Ojai Tennis Tournament 2022

Ojai Valley Tennis Club, Inc.

Thank you to our Sponsors!

Major Sponsors of The Ojai SCTA Foundation SCTAFoundation.org

The Chris Lewis Family

Crabel Capital Management crabel.com In Memory of Mike Taggart

Tournament Sanctioning Organizations

Pac-12 Conference pac-12.com USTA / Southern California Section ustasocal.com CIF – Southern Section cifss.org ITA – Intercollegiate Tennis www.wearecollegetennis.com

Individual and Business Sponsors

A to Z Musical Services BizText247.com Blue Highway Productions Brite Star Lighting Bryan Bros. Foundation Casa Ojai Inn Clinton Haugan & Tyler Brousseau www.ojaiforsale.com

Coast Transfer & Storage David Junod, CPA Friend’s Ranches, Inc. Integrity Wealth Advisors Mechanics Bank Mission Linen Supply Ojai Pixie Tangerine Growers Assn.

Ojai Turtle Conservancy

Ojai Valley Athletic Club Ojai Valley Inn & Spa Ojai Valley Museum Rotary Club of Ojai West Solinco Ventura Rental Party Center Weil Tennis Academy & Prep School Wilson

Please join us at the

Ojai Valley Museum

as The Ojai honors Patrick McEnroe

Friday, April 22 • 6:30 pm

For more info and to buy tickets: TheOjai.net thank you Sponsors.indd 1

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4/5/22 1:58 PM

theojai.net

Welcome Back To The Ojai!

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Gerry Banahan, Mike Borders, Carolyn Burke, Scott Burton, George Conrad, Craig Fugle, Leslie Gache, Ryan Gaston, Jeff Jenkins, Susan Kasser, John Kretzers, Tina Leslie, Terry Lynch, Jim Maxwell, Robin Neumann, Jane O’Dell, Katrina Rice Schmidt, Mark Weil, Sandi White, Anne Williamson, Duane Williamson

A Letter From the President

DIRECTOR’S EMERITUS Wayne Bruce, Joe DeVito, Robert Jarboe, Binney Moss, Vivian Perrett, Bruce Purvine, Alan Rains, Anson B “Tony” Thacher, Caroline H. Thacher, Jakob Vos OVTC OFFICERS President: ........................................................... Duane Williamson Vice President: .............................................................. Jeff Jenkins Secretary: .......................................................................Tina Leslie Treasurer: .....................................................................Jane O’Dell THE OJAI TOURNAMENT COMMITTEES Executive Director .......................................... Katrina Rice Schmidt COMPETITION TOURNAMENT DIRECTORS Collegiate Division Director .......................................... Terry Lynch Junior Director .............................................................. Craig Fugle Open Director ....................................................... Anne Williamson Pac-12 Directors ...................................... Rich Powell / Jeff Jenkins COMPETITION Ball Kids ........................................... Scott Burton / Katya Welborn Thacher Ball Kids ..................................................Etienne Emanuel Desk Managers (Ojai) .................................................... Mike Burke Libbey Desk ...Jan Key (training) / Virginia McConnell / Carla Flowers Private Court Monitors ............................................... Chris VanSon Scheduling (Jrs.)/Office Admin .......................................Tina Leslie Score Posting (Libbey) .................................................... Sam Eaton Score Reporting ............................................................Jacqui Burge Umpire (Roving Private Courts) .........................Mark Zimmermann Umpire Coordinator ....................................................... Jeff Becker COMPETITION SUPPORT Accommodations ..............Cassandra Vankeulen / Anne Williamson Housing Coordinator .................................................Nancy Pierson Insurance Certificates .................................................. Mike Borders Lunches (Ojai) ........................................................Robin Neumann Player Names ................. (Libbey on-court) Jim Maxwell (training) / Virginia McConnell / Carla Flowers Player Names (Libbey Boards) ......................................Tim Kenney Sponsor Seating ...........................................................Jim Richman Trophies ................................................................Michelle Gaston LIAISONS Ojai Valley Athletic Club.............................................. Ryan Gaston Ojai Valley Inn.................................................. Dimitar Yazadzhiev The Thacher School ...............................................Etienne Emanuel Private Courts .........................................................Robin Neumann MARKETING, WEBSITE & MEDIA Co-Chair s ..................................................Steve Pratt / Katie Fagan Photography Coordinator............................................Holly Roberts theojai.net

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From the Ojai Valley Tennis Club Board Members, Committee Chairs and the more than 600 volunteers, we say welcome back to The Ojai!

It’s because of the tireless work of all those involved that we bring you the 120th edition of The Ojai started way back in 1896 by William Thacher. The Ojai was sadly not held in 2020 nor 2021 because of the Covid-19 pandemic. It has been 75 years since The Ojai experienced a halt in play, and twice before 2020 in it illustrious history there had been stoppages: in 1924 because of Hoof and Mouth cattle disease, and again from 1943-1946 because of World War II. This year, we are implementing health and safety guidelines to ensure everyone remains safe and healthy.

Maybe this is your first time experiencing the freshly squeezed orange juice, or sipping tea under the tent from the silver urns. Or maybe you’ve been coming to The Ojai for years. One thing is for certain, no one can match the record of our local resident Rose Boggs, who has been coming to our annual tennis tradition in the park for more than 80 years! However many years this is for you, we say welcome back. We hope you enjoy all the great tennis at The Ojai.

Duane Williamson OVTC Board President

MERCHANDISE Co-Chairs .....................................................David & Lea Gonzalez Merchandise Sales (Ventura) .....Pam Speitel / Norrene DiBenedetto SETUP & ASSET MANAGEMENT Venue Set-up (Libbey) ...............................................Mark Happach Venue Manager (Libbey) .............................................John Kretzers Venues Managers (OVAC/Weil) ....... Ryan Gaston / Gerry Banahan Venues Manager (Ojai) ................................................... Jeff Jenkins Venues Manager (Ventura) .............................................Lester Tong Venues Assistant Manager ......................................... Bill Flothmeier Security (Libbey/OVAC/Weil) ......... Terry Wright / Meg Goffredo / Jim Whitney Barbeque (Libbey) .................................................... George Conrad Health & Safety Permits (Ventura County) ....................Dave Warner Venue, Banner, Pennants Permits (City of Ojai) ... Duane Williamson TEA TENT Co-Chairs ......................................... Karin Klemm / Marilyn Smith Orange Juice ................................................................Marie Brown Tea Tent Liaison ......................................................... Vivian Perrett TICKETS Co-Chairs ................................................ Anne Mercer / Steve Carr TOURNAMENT PHYSICIAN Physician ......................................................... Dr. John van Houten VOLUNTEERS Kick-Off Party Coordinators .............. Danny Everett / Leslie Gache Volunteer Coordinator and Volunteer Badges (Ojai) ...Pattie Happach The 120th Ojai Tennis Tournament 2022

••• 2022 Schedule of Events •••

Ship With Us, Then Shop With Us!

The Ojai 120th Annual Tennis Tournament Depending on the venue, play generally starts at 8am or 9am and continues throughout the day.

Schedule is subject to change without notice.

TUESDAY, APRIL 19 OJAI VALLEY ATHLETIC CLUB AND WEIL TENNIS ACADEMY: Men’s and Women’s Open Singles qualifying Rounds WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20 LIBBEY PARK: One Pac-12 Men’s Team Dual Match (Noon)

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OJAI VALLEY INN: Open Men’s Singles & Doubles Open Women’s Singles

SATURDAY, APRIL 23

LIBBEY PARK: Junior Boys 14 & Girls 14 VILLANOVA PREPARATORY Quarterfinals (8:00am) SCHOOL: Pac-12 Women’s Team Final Dual CIF Boys Doubles Match (Noon) FRIDAY, APRIL 22 Pac-12 Men’s Team Final Dual Match (3:00pm) LIBBEY PARK: Two Pac-12 Men’s Team Dual Matches CIF Boys Singles and Doubles Finals (6:00pm) (1:00pm and 4:00pm)

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WEIL TENNIS ACADEMY: CIF Singles and Doubles Junior Boys 16s Singles

THE THACHER SCHOOL: OJAI VALLEY ATHLETIC CLUB: Junior Boys 14s Singles Three Pac-12 Women’s Team Dual Matches (9:00am, Noon, and 3:00pm) OJAI VALLEY SCHOOL UPPER CAMPUS: THURSDAY, APRIL 21 Junior Girls 18s Doubles LIBBEY PARK: Junior Girls 14s Singles Four Pac-12 Men’s Team Dual Matches (9:00am, Noon, 3:00pm, and VILLANOVA PREPARATORY 6:00pm) SCHOOL: Junior Girls 16s Singles OJAI VALLEY INN: Open Men’s Singles PRIVATE COURTS: OJAI VALLEY ATHLETIC CLUB: Junior Girls 14s Singles Junior Girls 18s Singles Four Pac-12 Women’s Team Dual Matches (9:00am, Noon, 3:00pm, PIERPONT RACQUET CLUB: and 6:00pm) Division III Schools Women’s Singles WEIL TENNIS ACADEMY: & Doubles CIF Boys Singles VENTURA COLLEGE: THE THACHER SCHOOL: Division III Schools Men’s CIF Boys Singles and Doubles Singles & Doubles OJAI VALLEY SCHOOL UPPER CAMPUS: CIF Boys Doubles

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OJAI VALLEY ATHLETIC CLUB: Two Pac-12 Women’s Team Dual Matches (11:00am and 2:00pm)

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Private courts: CIF Singles CIF Boys Singles (8:00am) CIF Boys Doubles (9:30am) theojai.net

OJAI VALLEY ATHLETIC CLUB AND WEIL TENNIS ACADEMY: Division III Schools Men’s and 7

Women’s Singles and Doubles Independent Schools Men’s Singles and Doubles CIF Boys Singles and Doubles Semifinals Junior Boys 16s Quarterfinals and Semifinals OJAI VALLEY INN: Open Men’s Singles and Doubles Semifinals Open Women’s Singles Semifinals and Doubles Quarterfinals and Semifinals Junior Girls 18 Doubles OJAI VALLEY ATHLETIC CLUB: Junior Girls 14s, 16s, 18s Quarterfinals and Semifinals Junior Boys 14s Semifinals SUNDAY, APRIL 24 ALL MATCHES ARE FINALS Starting times are approximate LIBBEY PARK: 8:00AM Junior Girls 14 & Boys 14 Singles Junior Girls 16 & Boys 16 Singles 9:30AM Open Women’s Singles Junior Girls 18 Singles Independent Men’s Singles 11:00AM Open Men’s Singles Division III College Men’s Singles Division III College Women’s Singles 12:30PM Youth Tennis Awards (Court 1) Open Women’s Doubles (immediately following the Youth Tennis Awards) Junior Girls 18 Doubles Independent College Men’s Doubles 2:00PM Division III College Men’s Doubles Division III College Women’s Doubles 2:30PM Open Men’s Doubles The 120th Ojai Tennis Tournament 2022

BILLY MARTIN SUMMER CAMP REGISTRATION NOW OPEN! Session Session Session Session Session Session

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July 18-22 July 25-29 Aug. 1-5 Aug.8-12 Aug. 15-19 Aug. 22-26

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The 120th Ojai Tennis Tournament 2022

2022 PREVIEWS Players to Watch at The Ojai 2021 Pac-12 champion USC’s men’s and Cal’s women’s teams looking to repeat past glory; Colleges, Men’s and Women’s Open, Boys’ CIF and Juniors will all take to the courts seeking coveted Ojai titles Quinn Borchard, right, returns.

Stanford’s women won the 2019 Pac-12 title

with Brandon Holt. “I’m super excited to be back to try and win another Ojai title,” Borchard said. “I can’t believe Clay said yes!”

Jan. 25 Fabien Salle, Arizona State Jessica Alsola, California

Harvard-bound San Marcos High School senior Masato Perera will be a strong contender in doubles playing with future Cal Bear and high junior Ethan Schiffman of Rancho Santa Fe.

Feb. 1 Franco Capalbo, Utah Nika Zupancic, Washington

Women’s players include Rose Hayes of New York, Emile Lugon-Moulin from Switzerland, Dominique-Chante McLean, an instructor at the Weil Tennis Academy, and Amanda Perez of Mission Hills, Calif.

Feb. 8 Jonas Ziverts, Arizona Lexi Ryngler, Arizona

Independent Colleges College play will begin on Friday during Ojai week at the Pierpont Racquet Club in Ventura. Matches on Saturday and will be held in Ojai at the Weil Tennis Academy / Ojai Valley Athletic Club, with the singles and doubles finals being played at historic Libbey Park on Sunday. The Men’s NCAA Division III West Regional will consist of a 32-player singles draw and a 16-team doubles draw. Claremont Mudd-Scripps, Cal Tech and Cal Lutheran will be the teams to watch.

Feb. 16 Murphy Cassone, Arizona State Anastasia Goncharova, Utah Feb. 22 Peter Makk, USC Connie Ma, Stanford March 1 Clement Chidekh, Washington Abbey Forbes, UCLA

Boys’ CIF The son of Ojai Wall of Fame member Kimberly Po Messerli will be one to watch in the Boys’ CIF-Southern Section event as Tristan Messerli will play in the singles representing Rancho Palos Verdes Hight School.

Committed to play at Washington, the senior Messerli is coached by his father, former touring pro Oliver Messerli.

March 8 Clement Chidekh, Washington Sarah-Maude Fortin, Washington

The former UCLA star Po was a singles finalist in the Pac-10 at Ojai in 1991 and won the doubles with Stella Sampras Webster. As a junior, Po was a finalist in the Girls’ 14s and 16s before winning the 18s title in 1988.

March 15 Yuta Kikuchi, California Eryn Cayetano, USC March 24 Stefan Dostanic, USC Connie Ma, Stanford

As a pro, Po ranked as high as No 14 in the world in singles and No. 6 in doubles on the WTA Tour. She won the mixed doubles title at Wimbledon in 2000.

March 29 Alexander Hoogmartens, UCLA Katja Wiersholm, California Photos by: Holly Roberts / Ojai Tennis Tournament

Former UCLA Bruins star Clay Thompson and past Ojai champion returns to The Ojai and will play in the Men’s Open Doubles event with Quinn Borchard.

Entering April and the final month of the season, the USC men held the highest spot with a No. 13 national ITA/NCAA rankings. The Trojans are the two-time defending Pac-12 Champions winning in 2019 at The Ojai, and last year in San Diego. USC is followed in the national rankings by No. 14 Stanford, No. 18 Arizona, No, 42 California, and No. 44 Oregon.

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On the women’s side the top teams national as of the March 30 rankings were: defending champion No. 12 California, No. 15 UCLA, No. 17 Stanford, and No. 21 USC, No. 30 Arizona State, No. 36 Oregon.

No. 44 Arizona.

Here are some players to keep an eye on at The Ojai as they have been honored as this season’s Pac-12 Men’s and Women’s Players of the Week: theojai.net

Men’s and Women’s Open Events In the Men’s Open, past champions Clay Thompson and Quinn Borchard return to play together for the first time and try to make another run at an Ojai title. Borchard was a junior tennis star from Thousand Oaks growing up and first played The Ojai as a young junior. Currently a head teaching pro at Sunset Hills Country Club in T.O., made the Men’s Open doubles final in 2014 but did one better in 2015 capturing the doubles title with Calle Hansen. Borchard teamed with Arnau Dachs to advance to the doubles final in 2019.

The former UCLA star Thompson won the Men’s Open doubles in 2016 theojai.net

USC captured the 2019 men’s Pac-12 title.

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Others to watch, include junior Alan Ton of Fountain Valley, who is headed to Army. Irvine’s University will be represented by Conrad Brown, a senior who will play his college tennis next year at UC-Santa Barbara. Corona Del Mar’s Niels Hoffmann is a sophomore with a surname Ojai fans will recall. Neils is the younger brother of Bjorn Hoffmann, the 2015 and 2016 CIF singles runner-up. A former Cal player, Bjorn went on to play at UC-Irvine where he is a graduate student. The Hoffmann’s father Carsten won The Ojai Open doubles title in 2001.

Ventura County high schools that will be represented in singles include: Villanova Prep (Timothy Quest, Newbury Park (Ronak Santosh), Oak Park (Drew Koval) and a Westlake doubles team (Abhiram Nandury/ Ryan Slossan).

The 120th Ojai Tennis Tournament 2022

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The 120th Ojai Tennis Tournament 2022

Coming Back To The Ojai

“From the moment you walk in and hear the first tennis ball being hit, you feel like you are about to be a part of something unique and one of a kind.”

Four of the Five New Pac-12 Coaches Recall Memorable Experiences Playing Historic Event as Players

Ric Mortera

By Damian Secore

Among the marquee events coming back to the 120

Ojai Tennis Tournament following its pandemic-induced hiatus is the 2022 Pac-12 Team Championships. Pac-12 competition begins on Wednesday at Libbey Park and the Ojai Valley Athletic Club and concludes at Libbey Park on Saturday, with the Pac-12 Women’s Team final at 12 p.m. and the Pac-12 Men’s Team final to follow at 3 p.m. th

USC men’s tennis coach Brett Masi, California men’s coach Kris Kwinta, Washington State women’s coach Raquel Atawo and Utah women’s coach Ric Mortera are among the Pac-12 coaches who once played on The Ojai’s historic courts. The quartet visits The Ojai for the first time as coaches, along with first-year Colorado women’s tennis coach Anthony Pham.

Arriving back to Southern California’s tennis paradise surely evokes a reunion of many precious tennis memories from a time gone by.

“From the moment you walk in and hear the first tennis ball being hit, you feel like you are about to be a part of something unique and one of a kind,” said Mortera, in his third season as Utah’s women’s tennis coach. “The sense of community and care for the tournament are second to none. I liken it to the feeling of being at a professional tour event while still having a very home-like feeling to it. There is nothing like it.”

Masi may stroll through Libbey Park this week and seek out the tournament’s archived photo that placed him on the same

At left, new CAL Men’s Coach Kris Kwinta The 120th Ojai Tennis Tournament 2022

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first-hand. We are a young team and learning how to navigate high-level competition together.”

court as a set of tall, lanky twins who snatched the ultimate Ojai glory from him in the 1996 Boys’ CIF Interscholastic Doubles championship match 26 years ago, and soon after went on to become the most accomplished and decorated doubles team in tennis history.

which included semifinal berths in doubles at the Australian Open in 2014 and Wimbledon in 2015 and 2016, was named Washington State’s women’s coach in July 2021. She reunites with The Ojai after writing a storied history that included six finals appearances here.

“Getting to play Bob and Mike (Bryan) on the second court (at Libbey Park) while UCLA and Stanford were playing next to us was amazing,” said Masi, USC’s third-year head coach who played for Riverside Poly High School back then. “Everyone was watching us over them. It’s just an unreal feeling and you can’t really describe it unless you go there and watch it.

Starring for Cal in Ojai, Atawo – who is listed in the Ojai Record of Events with her maiden name Raquel Kops-Jones – won Pac-10 Women’s Doubles titles in 2002 and 2003 and the Pac-10 Women’s Singles crown in 2004. She finished as the Pac-10 singles runner-up in 2001 and 2003 and the Pac-10 doubles runner-up in 2004.

As luck would have it, Masi faced the Bryan brothers in two consecutive years at The Ojai. A year earlier, the Bryans stopped Masi in the quarterfinals of the 1995 Boys’ CIF Doubles draw on their way to the first of back-to-back titles.

Masi’s recollections of The Ojai extend before his matches with the Bryans.

“My immediate memories of Ojai ... I always think of family, as my parents were always able to attend, and I remember the team always loving Ojai, and eating good food in Ojai,” said Atawo, a Fresno native. “Best memories are definitely winning the Pac-10 titles. It coincided with my mom having cancer (she recovered), but I remember having a happy memory during a tough time.”

The Ojai is a happy return for Kwinta, in his first year as Cal’s men’s coach. He won The Ojai’s Men’s Open Doubles title in 2011, partnering with Boris Bakalov. Kwinta played for UCLA in 2004 and 2005, and won the clinching match in the Bruins’ 4-3 victory over Baylor to win the 2005 NCAA team championship.

Mortera returns to The Ojai for the first time since he played in the event for Oregon from 2006-2010. His best result at The Ojai was a semifinal appearance in the Pac-10 Doubles Championship draw as a junior in 2009.

Retired WTA Tour standout Atawo, who enjoyed a 15-year professional career and played in 50 Grand Slam tournaments

Said Atawo: “I have three seniors who have been (to The Ojai) before, but everyone else has never been. So it will be about learning what it takes to compete against the best, and seeing it

“Some of my most fond memories of my college career were being at The Ojai with my coaches and teammates.

It is a very special tournament,” Mortera said. “You immediately could feel and see the history of the place.

For me to now be able to have the opportunity to share this experience with my own team means the world to me and it is my hope they will have the same feelings I do when they are able to reflect back on their experience at the tournament years from now. The number-one thing that I want our players to take away from Ojai is just a continued sense of belonging to something special.”

Utah Women’s coach Ric Mortera.

USC Men’s tennis coach Brett Masi, third form right.

At left,Washington State Women’s Coach Raquel Atawo.

“I remember playing the 14-and-unders and we played at a private house, and drank the orange juice, and stayed on Saturday and Sunday to watch all the Pac-10 matches,” Masi said.

theojai.net

Atawo went on to win 18 WTA doubles titles and earn a world ranking as high as No. 10 in doubles. She now looks forward to introducing The Ojai experience to her Washington State team.

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The 120th Ojai Tennis Tournament 2022

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The 120th Ojai Tennis Tournament 2022

MAX, MACKIE AND MARCOS …

By Damian Secore

Along with fellow UCLA standout Jennifer Brady, former Ojai champions and Bruin teammates McDonald, Cressy and Giron join three-time Grand Slam champion Desirae Krawcsyk, at far left, as regular winners on the ATP and WTA Tours.

Steve Johnson The Orange native and four-time NCAA team champion at USC has four ATP men’s singles titles and one doubles championship (with his friend, Querrey) to his name, as well as a 2016 Olympic Bronze medal (in men’s doubles). Johnson finished runner-up in the 2007 Boys CIF singles draw at The Ojai and, as a collegiate, won the Pac-12 Singles and Doubles championships in 2011, completing a repeat as doubles champion that year.

As its record book can attest, the path to tennis’ professional ranks for many young California talents passed through the venerable Ojai Tennis Tournament.

Here is a glimpse of 13 who once roamed the courts of The Ojai and are currently thriving on the ATP and WTA tours: Desirae Krawczyk The Palm Desert native and former Arizona State standout -- who won The Ojai’s Women’s Invitational Doubles crown in 2011 -- enjoyed a Grand Slam breakthrough in 2021 after winning mixed doubles championships at the French Open and Wimbledon. She sports six WTA women’s doubles titles and a top-25 WTA doubles ranking.

Jennifer Brady Brady was the Pac-12 Women’s Invitational singles champion at The Ojai in 2014 before starring in UCLA’s NCAA national championship later that year. She was the 2021 Australian Open women’s singles runner-up and a U.S. Open semifinalist in 2020. She has won one WTA title in singles and doubles.

Marcos Giron The Thousand Oaks native and 2014 NCAA singles champion with UCLA is inside the ATP Tour’s top 60 in singles. Giron’s accomplishments at The Ojai include the 2009 Boys CIF championship, the 2011 Men’s Open Invitational Singles championship, and a finals appearance in the Boys 16 singles draw in 2008.

Giuliana Olmos The USC graduate won The Ojai’s Women’s Invitational Doubles title in 2012 and the Women’s Pac-12 doubles and Women’s Invitational Pac-12 singles titles in 2014. She has won three WTA doubles titles (while partnering with her friend, Krawczyk, for two of those) and has a top-20 WTA doubles ranking. In 2021, she reached the U.S. Open final and the French Open semifinals in mixed doubles.

Mackenzie McDonald The Ojai’s 2013 Men’s Open Invitational singles champion, McDonald went on to win Pac-12 team championships at The Ojai with UCLA in 2014 and 2016. He is ranked among the ATP Tour’s top 60 in singles and reached his first ATP singles final at the 2021 Citi Open in Washington, D.C. Maxime Cressy The Hermosa Beach resident helped UCLA to Pac-12 team championships at The Ojai in 2016 and 2018. Cressy, who won the NCAA individual doubles title in 2019, is ranked inside the ATP Tour’s top 75 in singles after having reached his first ATP singles final in Melbourne this year.

The 120th Ojai Tennis Tournament 2022

Jennifer Brady

Mackenzie McDonald

The Ojai Where Champions Are Made

By Steve Pratt

When Ena Shibahara was just 16, she partnered with future UCLA teammate Jada Hart to make it to three straight Ojai Sunday’s at Libbey winning the Women’s Open in 2014, 2015 and losing in the final in 2016. She also won the Women’s Open singles division in 2015 and 2016. Currently representing Japan, Shibahara is ranked No. 5 in the WTA world rankings in doubles and fell in the Indian Wells doubles finals with partner Asia Muhammad.

A few years back members of The Ojai marketing and PR committee were sitting around trying to think of catchy slogans that could be used in marketing the tournament.

Someone blurted out: “How about: Where Champions Are Born.” After some affirmative nods, the slogan appeared on that year’s program.

This year especially, the saying rings true as past Ojai players like Taylor Fritz, Ena Shibahara and Jenson Brooksby are making their mark on the professional tours.

Brooksby beat the world’s No. 5 player Stefanos Tsitsipas to reach At the BNP Paribas Open in Indian the Round of 16 at Indian Wells and Wells just four weeks ago, Rancho now, at just age 21, had broken into Santa Fe native and Rancho Palos the world’s Top 40 singles rankings.

Verdes resident Fritz provided all the In 2018 coming off his big win at excitement on finals day as the 2013 the USTA Nationals Easter Bowl Ojai Boys’ CIF finalist knocked off earlier in the month, Brooksby fell all-time great Rafael Nadal to win Ena Shibahara in the semifinals of The Ojai men’s his hometown and first Masters open division to former Pepperdine 1000 event. Fritz was an unknown freshman from Torrey Pines High in San Diego when he made star and eventual champion Sebastian Fanselow. Brooksby is it to Libbey Park and fell to University’s Gage Brymer in 2013. currently ranked No. 39 in the ATP World Tour rankings and has reached two ATP finals in the past year. In playing last Fritz is currently the world’s highest ranked American singles player – ascending to a career-high No. 13 in the ATP rankings year’s U.S. Open as a 20-year-old, he became the youngest American since Andy Roddick to reach the Round of 16 after being Nadal. He holds two ATP Tour singles titles while reaching seven ATP singles finals and two more in doubles. before falling to Novak Djokovic.

Claire Liu The Thousand Oaks native was The Ojai’s Women’s Invitational Doubles runner-up in 2014. At 21, she has cracked the top 100 in the WTA’s women’s singles rankings.

Sam Querrey The 2004 Boys CIF singles champion at The Ojai holds 10 ATP Tour singles titles and five ATP doubles titles. He also reached the Wimbledon semifinals and U.S. Open quarterfinals in 2017. He advanced to the Men’s Open Singles and Doubles finals at The Ojai as a Thousand Oaks High senior in 2006, placing runner-up in Open Doubles for the second consecutive year.

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Brandon Nakashima The San Diego native has cracked the ATP Tour’s top 80 in singles in 2022 and, not long ago, played at The Ojai in the Boys 14 and Boys 16 divisions. Last year, at 19 years old, he became the youngest American to reach multiple ATP finals since Andy Roddick in 2001-02.

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The 120th Ojai Tennis Tournament 2022

In Appreciation of

Mike Taggart Mike Taggart loved holding court and talking about The Ojai Tennis Tournament – an event he first attended some 60-plus years ago when he worked as a lines judge calling matches that included greats like Arthur Ashe, Billie Jean King, Stan Smith and Jimmy Connors.

Back in 2003, Taggart – a retired English professor – began giving some of his own personal wealth to the Ojai Valley Tennis Club to attract better players in the men’s and women’s Open division.

Taggart passed away in the summer of 2019 in Michigan, but his generousity and kindness will never be forgotten.

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Alan Rains (1931 – 2021) You simply won’t find another dedicated Ojai tennis volunteer over the past 50 years who has given more of his time than Alan Rains. The trophies were his thing as he and wife Jan served faithfully on that committee for more than four decades. The OVTC Board President during the 100th Ojai in 2000, Rains stepped in once again as Board President in 2014. – Steve Pratt

To Those We’ve Lost –

The Ojai Remembers

One of the sport’s finest clutch players. Armed with a first-rate serve, Falkenburg superbly managed the ebbs and flows of many a high stakes match.

Dennis Ralston (1942 – 2020) A true tennis renaissance man, Ralston’s life in tennis covered every possible base. From accomplished junior to first-rate college player, world-class star, Davis Cup captain and devoted coach, he lived his life in the game.

Mike Taggart

Budge Patty (1924 – 2021)

Alan Rains

Liquid smooth, graced with one of the finest forehand volleys in tennis history, this stylish later based himself in Europe and proved exceptionally skilled on clay and grass.

Los Angeles-based Joel Drucker is one of the world’s leading tennis writers.

Drucker’s work appears frequently in such outlets as Tennis.com, Racquet Magazine, and Tennis Channel. He is the author of the critically acclaimed book “Jimmy Connors Saved My Life” and the Historian-at-Large for the International Hall of Fame. Here is what he had to say about seven Ojai tennis greats who have passed on since the tournament was last played in 2019:

Tony Trabert (1930 – 2021)

Tony Trabert stood for everything tennis wants to be: a gracious and classy champion who also became Davis Cup captain and one of the sport’s preeminent broadcasters. Ojai so left its mark on Tony that he later based his tennis camp there. (For Drucker’s personal story on Ojai legend Trabert, see Page xx)

Alex Olmedo (1936 – 2020) Champions don’t come much smoother than the stylish Alex Olmedo. He commanded the court with tremendous mastery of serve-and-volley tennis.

Glenn Bassett (1927 – 2020)

Alex Olmedo The 120th Ojai Tennis Tournament 2022

Darlene Hard was quintessential Southern California – a great volleyer and spirited competitor who let her racquet do the talking and went on to become one of the world’s best.

Bob Falkenburg (1926– 2022)

Mike Taggart (1930 – 2019) Around 2004 Mike Taggart saw the men’s and women’s open division at The Ojai slipping and far from days when he called lines for future Hall of Famers like Ashe, King and Connors. So the affable Taggart decided to donate some of his own wealth as prize money, eventually giving more than $30,000 each year and attracting young players rising in the rankings on the men’s and women’s professional tour. – Steve Pratt

Darlene Hard (1936 – 2021)

Dennis Ralston

Glenn Bassett 28

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Was there ever anyone who loved tennis more than Glenn Bassett? This was a man who bled UCLA blue and gold – first as a player, later as the coach of one championship team after another.

Darlene Hard 29

The 120th Ojai Tennis Tournament 2022

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The 120th Ojai Tennis Tournament 2022

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Annual Ojai High Performance Clinic a Huge Hit

Photos by Gideon Kim

The 15th Annual Ojai High Performance Clinic took place Saturday March 26, at Libbey Park and marked the return of Ojai Youth Tennis Committee activities after a two-year hiatus.

All were thrilled to have our local tennis community back out on the courts as 50 youth tennis players participated, coming from Ojai, Ventura, and as far away as Camarillo.

They were joined in making the event a success by a stellar group of eight coaches as well as many volunteers. In the morning sessions groups of six players rotated between courts and coaches. “The enthusiasm of both players and coaches was contagious,” said Ojai Youth Tennis Committee member Craig Fugle.

The 120th Ojai Tennis Tournament 2022

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This High Performance Clinic was the inaugural event on the eight newly resurfaced courts at Libbey Park.

Resurfacing was funded by contributions from Ojai City, Ojai Civic Association and the Ojai Valley Tennis Club. A magnificent Lunch was provided by Toppers Pizza. Wilson Sporting Goods contributed prizes for the players.

Participants received T-shirts printed to commemorate the Clinic and coaches received gift certificates from Monte Grappa restaurant in Ojai.

Next up for the Ojai Youth Tennis Committee are the annual Sportsmanship Awards to be presented on Court One at Libbey at Noon on the final day of the Tournament, Sunday April 24.

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The 120th Ojai Tennis Tournament 2022

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The 120th Ojai Tennis Tournament 2022

A Hall of Fame Journey

A lifelong bond between a famous tennis author and former Ojai tennis great, International Tennis Hall of Famer, and legendary broadcaster Tony Trabert was forged at a junior tennis camp in Ojai

By Joel Drucker

Behind every tennis player

is another tennis player. If you’re lucky, you’ll learn something bigger than forehands and backhands.

I consider myself extremely fortunate.

The man who inspired me to play, Tony Trabert, died on February 2, 2021 at the age of 90. And yet, as impressive as his public record was – winner of multiple Slams, Davis Cup star, noted broadcaster – it’s the private Tony (nicknamed “Bubba”) who has long held my attention and affection.

I first met Tony at the West Joel Drucker met Tony Trabert at his tennis camp at Thacher School in Ojai in 1973, 20 years after Trabert beat Herb Flam in the Men’s Open singles at The Ojai in 1953.

Los Angeles YMCA in the dinker. Well, I’ve got news for you: Show me advice. spring of 1972. I was eleven, me a dinker and I’ll show you a room full Tony had a different vision.

“Looks like had just started to play tennis and was of trophies.” another Rod Laver,” he enthused. With considering attending his year-old tennis Tony’s logical wisdom flowed. Come to trademark logic, he told me why lefties camp, located on the grounds of Thacher net and force your opponent to hit a tough were advantaged, demonstrating the slice School in Ojai. Tony’s All-American smile lit up the room as he romanced the camp’s serve with ease and counseling that as long shot. In doubles, plant seeds early on with lobs and occasional drives down the alley. as the receiver’s left foot wasn’t touching 10 courts and instructional philosophy.

Stop muscling the ball; let your shoulders the ad court sideline, I should keep serving This was no high-powered factory, he and hips do the work. If the guy can’t wide (years later, I’d be touched when he emphasized, but a place where children hurt you with his service return, take off told me he gave the same advice to John would be exposed to a lifetime sport. speed and get in a lot of first serves.

McEnroe during Davis Cup matches).

The camp’s advertising tagline told it Off the court, Tony showed films of “You’ll also want to make sure you all: “One thing you always see at Tony great moments in tennis, including clips have a solid backhand, since before Laver Trabert Tennis Camp is Tony Trabert.” of his great Davis Cup ties versus the lefties typically had weak backhands,” His was no scam, where the big dude Aussies. Since one of his chief rivals, Ken he recommended. The backhand was breezed in for a quick hit. Even when Rosewall, was still active, it was easy to see Trabert’s strongest shot. To this day, the he was named Davis Cup captain, Tony the connection between past and present flat-topspin drive I learned from him is insisted that he’d only take the job if the in a tangible way. “And remember,” Tony the only stroke I own that’s been called ties didn’t interfere with camp. advised, “a guy with Continental grip – “pretty.”

As a beginner, I figured I’d mostly be even as good as Rosewall – will usually try When it came to competition, Tony attended to by less-seasoned instructors. to pass you crosscourt.” articulated the essence. I’ve never been But Tony was true to his word, slipping When I was 13, I won my first physically intimidating, but even in my into each court, comparing notes with tournament, on upper court three at first event – “The Choke Open” he called counselors (including his right-hand man, the camp’s tournament – I had an intuitive Thacher. Tony saw it, pleased to see Mark Winters, who would eventually me rushing the net. Barely a month ability to disrupt my opponents. Angered become a fellow journalist) and shuffling later, watching him comment on John by this, one of them yelled at me and said groups to ensure balanced competition.

Newcombe’s serve-volley victory at Forest I was a dinker.

I was also lefthanded, which prior to Hills, I would feel a delicious connection.

“A lot of you want to hit the ball hard arriving at Tony’s had been frustrating.

The parks instructor I’d started with urged and look great out there,” Tony told all 88 In the years after, whenever I watched Tony preside over the US Open awards campers one morning. “You all hate the me to “think the opposite” when she gave The 120th Ojai Tennis Tournament 2022

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ceremony, I recalled those Saturday mornings in Ojai when he’d be equally enthused to pass out the trophies to us campers.

After four summers, with my era as a camper was ending, I knew I wanted to return to Ojai and work for Tony. He said you’d have to be 20 years old to become a counselor. Thus began a fiveyear campaign.

In 1978, attending my first US Open, Tony waved me into the CBS booth. A year later, he invited me to apply for a job at the camp. The interview included a hitting session with Tony, which I nervously prepared for by reminding myself to move my feet and hit topspin on every backhand.

Working for Tony Trabert proved even more fun than being a camper. With the same precision he brought to stroke production, he boiled down our responsibilities and helped his staff thrive. Even there, he was a great teacher. One counselor was always claiming greater feats; if I spent one hour teaching a camper, he’d say he spent two. Tony’s advice: “Don’t try to win a smelling contest with a skunk.” That principle proved wise for wrestling with tennis’ many odious handlers.

But perhaps Tony knew that as much as I loved tennis, my future in the sport was much more with mind than body. Hanging out in his house during camp, Tony showed me the media guides he studied for his work with CBS. We’d talk about the experience of interviewing Connors, Borg, McEnroe, Navratilova, Evert, Austin.

“The journalistic battles I’ve waged since were won on the warm days and nights of Ojai.”

When I started writing about tennis, Tony was an invaluable source. No, he wasn’t a Deep Throat, but talking with him left me fully confident I could cover the game at the highest levels from the get-go. Years later, we’d work together for CBS at the US Open. Though for Tony, of course, this was business as usual, for me it was a heady experience to have come so far from that first night at the YMCA. Most of all, I’d come to cherish Tony’s classy generosity. He’d frequently play doubles with his camp’s counselors, dropping considerable gears for us schleppers. But signs of his excellence were unavoidable. One afternoon, Tony struck a fine, clean winner by me – nothing too fast, but a solid, clean, world-class ball that he could clearly hit 500 times in a row. “Don’t worry,” Tony said, “I won Wimbledon on a shot like that.”

Three games later, I reached for a forehand volley, the ball striking the wood on my Dunlop Maxply.

It was loud and it was ugly, lamely dropping into Tony’s court for a winner. “Don’t worry,” I told him, “I won the Barrington Park C’s on a shot like that.”

Tony laughed the heartiest of laughs.

We miss you dearly, Bubba.

Los Angeles-based Joel Drucker is one of the world’s leading tennis writers. Drucker’s work appears frequently in such outlets as Tennis. com, Racquet Magazine, and Tennis Channel. He is the author of the critically acclaimed book “Jimmy Connors Saved My Life” and the Historian-at-Large for the International Hall of Fame.

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The 120th Ojai Tennis Tournament 2022

Worth the Wait Former Stanford great and Ojai Wall of Famer and this year’s Tournament Honoree Patrick McEnroe was originally scheduled to attend 2020 tournament before the pandemic shut down.

By Steve Pratt Former Ojai great, NCAA titles (1986 Stanford Alland ’88), I felt like American, Grand I never did as well Slam champion at the NCAAs. and current ESPN Winning at Ojai was commentator – and the highlight of my past head of USTA individual college Player Development, career.”On competing U.S. Davis Cup captain, married to at The Ojai: Broadway actress, “It was always and on and on – something where we Patrick McEnroe had just finished a phone at Stanford looked interview with a forward to a lot local Ojai magazine because it was a trip reporter. It was early to Southern Cal. It March in 2020 and Patrick McEnroe, at left, won the Pac-10 singles title in 1987 beating USC’s Luke Jensen. Past OVTC was obviously a very President Bill Hoffman, presented the trophy. just days before it intense competition, had been announced th that McEnroe had been named the 120 Ojai Tennis Tournament but it was always sort of a more relaxed environment than going to play at SC or UCLA in big dual matches. It was the Honoree for the tournament to be held later in April. McEnroe was excited to soon be coming back to a place that held such last event before we started gearing up for the NCAA, so it was immense memories for him during his four years spent in Palo combination of a competitive event plus a relaxed event with all Alto in the mid-1980s. the teams from the Pac-10. I remember the orange juice, which was amazing, and am looking forward to having some orange He was reminded his former Cardinal Coach Dick Goud, Stan juice again.” On his friendship with International Tennis Hall of Smith, the great Rod Laver, and of course Ojai legend Tracy Austin, had preceded him with the same honor.

Famer Tracy Austin: Days later, COVID hit and over the course of the next few weeks, the world seemed to shut down. Just like it had for four years during World War II from 1943 to 1946, there would be no Ojai Tournament in 2020. Patrick’s visit was put on hold.

Fast forward two years later and The Ojai is back!

The following are some excerpts from that 2020 interview with McEnroe.

On winning the Ojai Pac-10 men’s singles title in 1987 over junior rival Luke Jensen in a tight third-set tiebreaker in front of a raucous proTrojans crowd: “It was pretty cool. I remember there were some fireworks. And the crowd is right on top of you at Libbey Park. Normally, I would beat Luke comfortably. I remember it was a real dog-fight and Luke was incredibly fired up. I was extremely lucky to pull it out in the end. Even though we did well as a team and won The 120th Ojai Tennis Tournament 2022

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“We haven’t shared the booth as much as we have done a lot of appearances together and corporate hospitality events. She is a delight to work with and a total pro. In broadcast and speaking, she is like she was as a pro – very diligent, incredibly focused and always prepared. That’s how people remember her as a player.”

McEnroe will be feted at The Ojai and honored at The Ojai’s traditional tournament week fundraising event – an exclusive evening featuring food, wine and McEnroe’s reflection on The Ojai and other personal tennis memories on April 22 at 6:30 p.m. at the Ojai Valley Museum (130 W. Ojai Ave., Ojai, CA 93023).

A limited number of tickets ($140 each) are available at TheOjai.net, with proceeds supporting the Ojai Valley Tennis Club, youth tennis programs and tournaments in Ojai, the enhancement of Libbey Park and local school tennis facilities, and The Ojai Tennis Tournament.

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The 120th Ojai Tennis Tournament 2022

Past Finalists

Past Finalists

Boys’ 14-and-under Singles Championship Champion & Finalist

Girls’ 14-and-under Singles Championship Champion & Finalist

Boys’ 16-and-under Singles Championship Champion & Finalist

Girls’ 16-and-under Singles Championship Champion & Finalist

2019-Emmett Potter (Calgary, Alberta, Canada) Carson Lee (Fullerton), Pictured Above 2018-Lachlan Robertson (West Vancouver, BC) Conrad Brown (Irvine) 2017-Ryan Morgan (Pasadena) Takeyasu Sekiguchi (Ojai) 2016-Ali Amiri (Santa Ana) Maxwell McKennon (Newport Beach) 2015-Miles Jones (Marina del Rey) Jacob Bullard (Calabasas) 2014-Austin DiGiulio (Newport Beach) Gavin Dail (North Hollywood) 2013-Kento Perera (Santa Barbara) Lucas Bellamy (Pacific Palisades) 2012-Arash Hafezi (Irvine) Chaz Downing (Newport Coast) 2011-Aidan Jiang (Ojai) Henry Gordon (Corona Del Mar) 2010-Collin Altamirano (Santa Barbara) Ciro Riccardi (Los Angeles) 2008-Michael Lowe (Ventura) Thomas Pecor (Ojai) 2009-Brendan McClain (Ventura) Gage Brymer (Irvine) 2007-Spencer Simon (Santa Barbara) Billy Pecor (Ojai) 2006-Spencer Simon (Santa Barbara) Warren Hardie (Laguna Niguel) 2005-J.T. Sundling (Thousand Oaks) Kyle McMorrow (Thousand Oaks) 2004-Nicolas Meister (Trabuco Canyon) Jenson Turner (Woodland Hills) 2003-Andrew Mateljan (Redlands) Jake Fleming (Newport Beach) 2002-Leif Sunderland (Malibu) Alex Krueger-Wyman (Pasadena) 2001-Samuel Tadevosian (Glendale) Lee Singer (Laguna Niguel) 2000-Hagop Tadevosian (Glendale) Andrew Eklov (Ojai)

2019-Carla Pacot (Rancho Cucamonga) Ginger Foster (Los Angeles) 2018-Isabelle Kouzmanov (Novi, Mich.)

Iris Berman (Los Angeles) 2017-Leyden Games (Newport Beach) Kenadee Semenik (Las Vegas) 2016-Jenna DeFalco (Tustin) Scout Mathews (Ojai) 2015-Delanie Dunkle (Arroyo Grande) Hina Inoue (Huntington Beach) 2014-Rika Tanaka (Tokyo, Japan) Cali Jankowski (Carlsbad) 2013-Hannah Lairmore (Mobile, Ala.) Christie Wan (Rowland Heights) 2012-Dominique Schaefer (Ventura) Seira Shimizu (Ojai) 2011-Kenadi Hance (Torrance) Dominique Schaefer (Ventura) 2010-Sivan Krems (Thousand Oaks) Meredith Xepoleas (Huntington Beach) 2009-Sivan Krems (Thousand Oaks) Yuki Chiang (Ojai) 2008-Riko Shimizu (Ojai) Sivan Krems (Thousand Oaks) 2007-Rio Kitagawa (Ojai) Rina Kanazawa (Ojai) 2006-Britney Sanders (Ontario) Jessica Parizher (Studio City) 2005-Jordan Dockendorf (Santa Barbara) Pamela Montez (La Quinta) 2004-Gail Brodsky (Ojai) Michelle Dokic (Moorpark) 2003-Nelly Radeva (Costa Mesa) Gabriela Gresham (Hawthorne) 2002-Anna Tatishvili (Ojai) Logan Hansen (Santa Monica) 2001-Jenny Sperry (El Dorado Hills) Victoria Brymer (Apple Valley) 2000-Tracy Lin (Anaheim) Daron Moore (Studio City)

2019-Ryan Torres (San Ramon) Gianluca Brunkow (Topanga), Pictured Above 2018-Shervin Dehmoubed (Irvine) Ayato Arakaki (Ojai) 2017-Sahm Irvine (Rancho Palos Verdes) Fernando Fonseca (Ojai) 2016-Matthew Tsolakyan (Glendale) Max Wild (Murrieta) 2015-Matthew Tsolakyan (Glendale) Connor Rapp (Rancho Mirage) 2014-Brandon Lam (Westlake Village) Ethan Young-Smith (Ventura) 2013-Aidan Jiang (Ojai) Austin Rapp (Rancho Mirage) 2012-Eli Whittle (Nipomo) Nikolas Ramadan (San Clemente) 2011-Ciro Riccardi (Los Angeles) Alex Giannini (Los Angeles) 2010-Patrik Fabian (Ojai) Brendan McClain (Ventura) 2009-Billy Pecor (Ojai) Justin Agbayani (Yorba Linda) 2008-David Watson (Ojai) Marcos Giron (Thouand Oaks) 2007-Daniel Nguyen (Oxnard) Yuske Kusuda (Ojai) 2006-Bozhidar Katsarov (Ojai) Mousheg Hovhannisyan (Los Angeles) 2005-Bozhidar Katsarov (Ojai) Andrey Potapkin (Valley Village) 2004-Kallim Stewart (Ojai) Andrew Mateljan (Redlands) 2003-Chris Ko (Pacific Palisades) Alex Krueger-Wyman (Pasadena) 2002-Yevgeny Supeko (Ojai) Kaes Van’t Hof (Santa Margarita) 2001-Doug Stewart (Malibu) Jamil Al-Agba (Ojai) 2000-Lester Cook (Woodland Hills Aaron Yovan (Irvine)

2019-Velizara Fileva (Ojai) Kaia Wolfe (Mission Viejo) 2018-Casie Wooten (Torrance) Scout Mathews (Ojai) 2017-Elle Christensen (Los Angeles) Eryn Cayetano (Corona) 2016-Jennifer Richards (San Diego) Elle Christensen (Los Angeles) 2015-Alexa Ryngler (Calabasas) Rika Tanaka (Tokoyo, Japan) 2014-Annette Goulak (Oak Park) Hannah Lairmore (Mobile, Ala.) 2013-Jessica Livianu (Brooklyn, N.Y.) Ryan Peus (Palos Verdes Estates) 2012-Jacqueline Pelletier (Huntington Beach) Alexis Pereira (San Gabriel) 2011-Sivan Krems (Thousand Oaks) Francis Dean (Arcadia) 2010-Riko Shimizu (Ojai) Tess Bernard-Feigenbaum (Ojai) 2009-Ashley Dai (Temple City) Riko Shimizu (Ojai) 2008-Monica Turewicz (Ojai) Nikki Sanders (Chino) 2007-Britney Sanders (Chino) Nikki Sanders (Chino) 2006-Catherine Isip (Anaheim) Jordan Dockendorf (Santa Barbara) 2005-Gail Brodsky (Ojai) Michelle Murphy (Irvine) 2004-Lyndsay Kinstler (Laguna Beach) Kirsten Flower (Ojai) 2003-Cosmina Ciobanu (Brea) Kelly Stewart (Ojai) 2002-Sesil Karatantcheva (Ojai) Saskia Nauenberg (Santa Cruz) 2001-Lori Stern (Ojai) Robyn Baker (Palm Desert) 2000-Nina Yaftali (Westlake Village) Jessica Siebel (Ross)

The 120th Ojai Tennis Tournament 2022

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The 120th Ojai Tennis Tournament 2022

Past Finalists

Past Finalists Boys’ CIF-SS Interscholastic Singles Championship Champion & Finalist

2019-Zoe Olmos (Fremont) Natalie Duffy (Hemet) 2018-Eryn Cayetano (Corona) Nicole Mossmer (La Jolla) 2017-Cali Jankowski (Carlsbad) Charlotte Chavatipon (Fullerton) 2016-Alexa Ryngler (Calabasas) Tatum Burger (Steamboat Springs, Colo.)

2015-Ryan Peus (Palos Verdes Estates) Seira Shimizu (Ojai) 2014-Hanna Chang (Fontana) Ryan Peus (Palos Verdes Estates) 2013-Monica Robinson (Valley Center) Meredith Xepoleas (Huntington Beach) 2012-Alison Ho (Thousand Oaks) Meredith Xepoleas (Huntington Beach) 2011-Tess Bernard-Feigenbaum (Ojai) Jessica Worring (Oxnard) 2010-Lynda Xepoleas (Ojai) Miya Jin (Rancho Palos Verdes) 2009-Monica Turewicz (Ojaj) Rio Kitagawa (Ojai) 2008-Britney Sanders (Chino) Kaitlyn Christian (Orange) 2007-Pamela Montez (La Quinta) Catherine Isip (Anahiem) 2006-Gail Brodsky (Ojai) Marianna Khachatryan (Burbank) 2005-Kirsten Flower (Ojai) Mykala Hedberg (Oxnard) 2004-Nazlie Ghazal (Temecula) Daron Moore (Studio City) 2003-Elizabeth Exon (Irvine) Kady Pooler (Laguna Niguel) 2002-Elizabeth Exon (Irvine) Kady Pooler (Laguna Niguel) 2001-Kim-Ahn Nguyen (Orange) Anne Yelsey (Corona Del Mar) 2000-Erin Burdette (Ojai) Kim-Ahn Nguyen (Orange)

2019-Aditya Gupta (University-Irvine) Wally Thayne (Newbury Park) 2018-Stefan Dostanic (Woodbridge) Benjamin Gollin (La Jolla Country Day) 2017-Jake Sands (Palisades) Stefan Dostanic (Woodbridge) 2016-Connor Hance (Peninsula) Bjorn Hoffmann (Corona del Mar) 2015-Michael Genender (Harvard-Westlake) Bjorn Hoffmann (Corona del Mar) 2014-Austin Rapp (Palm Desert) Michael Genender (Harvard-Westlake) 2013-Gage Brymer (University-Irvine) Taylor Fritz (Torrey Pines) 2012-Gage Brymer (University-Irvine) Tyler Pham (Rancho Bernardo) 2011-Gage Brymer (University-Irvine) Johnny Wang (San Marino) 2010-Clarke Spinosa (Claremont) Denis Nguyen (Canyon-Anaheim) 2009-Marcos Giron (Thousand Oaks) Clay Thompson (Crossroads) 2008-Kyle McMorrow (Thousand Oaks) Reese Milner (Crossroads) 2007-Andre Dome (Arroyo Grande) Steve Johnson (Orange) 2006-Jason Jung (West Torrance) Andre Dome (Arroyo Grande) 2005-Michael McClune (Woodbridge) Blake Muller (Santa Barbara) 2004-Sam Querrey (Thousand Oaks) Kaes Van’t Hof (Mater Dei) 2003-Jeffrey Das (Troy) Kaes Van’t Hof (Mater Dei) 2002-Doug Stewart (Malibu) Aaron Yovan (University-Irvine) 2001-Patrick Buchanan (Servite) Aaron Yovan (University-Irvine) 2000-Philip Sheng (Thousand Oaks) Paul Warkentin (San Marcos) The 120th Ojai Tennis Tournament 2022

Girls’ 18s-and-under Singles Championship Champion & Finalist

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Men’s Open Singles Championship Champion & Finalist

Women’s Open Singles Championship Champion & Finalist

2019-Mahak Jain (San Jose) Eryn Cayetano (Corona) 2018-Hanna Chang (Fontana) Denise Starr (Brooklyn, N.Y.) 2017-Salma Ewing (Long Beach) Megan McCray (Oceanside) 2016-Ena Shibahara (Rancho Palos Verdes) Katherine Sebov (Ontario, Canada) 2015-Ena Shibahara (Rancho Palos Verdes) Emma Higuchi (Los Angeles) 2014-Katsiaryna Zheltova (Sacramento) Emma Higuchi (Los Angeles) 2013-Noelle Hickey (Hackensack, N.J.) Ashley Harkleroad (Malibu) 2012-Sachia Vickery (Ojai) Amanda Fink (Calabasas) 2011-Monica Turewicz (Ojai) Ashley Dai (Temple City) 2010-Gail Brodsky (Ojai) Olga Puchkova 2009-Pamela Montez (La Quinta) Maureen Diaz (Glendale) 2008-Pamela Montez (La Quinta) Maureen Diaz (Glendale) 2007-Gail Brodsky (Ojai) Tanya Raykova (Ojai) 2006-Kasenia Milevskaya (Ojai) Maureen Diaz (Glendale) 2005-Jessica Nguyen (Chatsworth) Amanda Fink (Calabasas) 2004-Martina Nejedly (Palm Springs) Maureen Diaz (Glendale) 2003-Martina Nejedly (Palm Springs) Dina McBride (Woodland Hills) 2002-Dina McBride (Woodland Hills) Stacy Margolin-Potter (Ojai) 2001-Dina Birch-McBride (Woodland Hills) Amanda Parson Siegel 2000-Nicole Elliott-Herrmann (San Diego) Mary Fallara (San Bernardino)

2019-Karue Sell (Los Angeles) Raymond Sarmiento (Los Angeles) 2018-Sebastian Fanselow (Calabasas) Philip Bester (Westlake Village) 2017-Henry Craig (Murrieta) Philip Bester (Vancouver, B.C., Canada) 2016-Deiton Baughman (Carson) Brandon Holt (Rolling Hills) 2015-Philip Bester (Burnaby, B.C., Canada) Lester Cook (Marina del Rey) 2014-Dennis Novikov (Milpitas) Haythem Abid (Los Angeles) 2013-Mackenzie McDonald (Piedmont) Lester Cook (Marina del Rey) 2012-Artem Sitak (Malvern, Ariz.)

Peter Lucassen (Los Angeles) 2011-Marcos Giron (Thousand Oaks) Aaron Yovan (Irvine) 2010-Lester Cook (Marina del Rey) Brian Wilson (Las Vegas) 2009-Lester Cook (Marina del Rey) Cecil Mamiit (Los Angeles) 2008-Cecil Mamiit (Los Angeles) Lester Cook (Marina del Rey) 2007-Lester Cook (Marina del Rey) Travis Rettenmaier (Fountain Valley) 2006-Zbynek Mlynarik (Chatsworth) Sam Querrey (Thousand Oaks) 2005-Cecil Mamiit (Los Angeles) Lester Cook (Marina del Rey) 2004-Michael Joyce (Los Angeles) Travis Rettenmaier (Venice) 2003-Adriano Biasella (Palm Desert) Bryan Juinio (Fresno) 2002-Peter Jeschke (Montecito) Mark Ellis (Ventura) 2001-Peter Jeschke (Montecito) Aaron Webster (Santa Barbara) 2000-Mark Ellis (Ventura) Peter Jeschke (Montecito) theojai.net

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The 120th Ojai Tennis Tournament 2022

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