The Ojai Valley Tennis Club, founded in 1895, and sponsor of the largest amateur tennis tournament in the United States, will present the Ojai Valley Tennis Tournament, referred to as 'The Ojai'^®, April 24-27, 2008. This year's Tournament is the 108th since 1896, when it was founded by NCAA doubles champion William L. Thacher to promote amateur tennis in California.

The non-profit Ojai Valley Tennis Club, with no paid employees, and no tennis courts of its own, produces 'The Ojai'^® by the concerted efforts of over 500 volunteers. The 150 required tennis courts are made available by local schools, clubs, and private residents. Volunteers prepare the courts at the various venues, man tournament desks and media headquarters, maintain score keeping, and serve complimentary fresh orange juice to players and spectators. In the afternoon, local women volunteer to serve tea from silver urns in china cups, continuing a tradition started in 1904. On Thursday night, the Tennis Club conducts a barbeque open to the public, with tennis celebrity guest appearances, and prizes from local and national sponsors.

The tiny southern California community of Ojai, surrounded by rugged mountains and nestled among picturesque orange groves, throws open its doors annually for this event. Innkeepers, restaurateurs, gallery owners and shop keepers welcome the influx of tennis fans and tourists for the four day event, which happens annually the last full weekend in April. Local residents play hosts to tennis players from all over California and the western states. Visitors also stay in the neighboring communities of Ventura and Santa Barbara.

This combination of genteel hospitality and community spirit has played host to many of the great tennis players of this century, including: Bill Tilden, Tony Trabert, Bobby Riggs, Jack Kramer, Arthur Ashe, Billy Jean King, Pancho Gonzales, Alex Olmedo, Stan Smith, Jimmy Connors, Michael Chang, Lindsay Davenport, and Pete Sampras, and 2003 French Open champions, Mike and Bob Bryan. The "Wall of Champions" at the grandstand in Libbey Park names 85 players who competed at Ojai, and then won one or more of the major tournaments which make up tennis's "Grand Slam."

The Tournament is the home of the annual Pac-10 men's, women's, and doubles individual championship matches. Libbey Park, in the heart of Ojai, is the venue for the finals of all divisions of 'The Ojai'^®, including Div. III West Regionals, Community and Independent Colleges, Junior and CIF events, and the Open.