Tennis has a long and rich history at Thacher. When school founder Sherman Day Thacher's brother William arrived on campus fresh out of Yale in late 1895, he led the men’s tennis team as runner-up in National Intercollegiate singles play and champion in college doubles. Before long, tennis represented one of the most popular sports at school and throughout the Ojai Valley. In fact, William is credited as being the founder of the Ojai Valley Tennis Tournament, the oldest amateur tennis tournament in the United States, which to this day remains the largest amateur tennis tournament in the country. For a few days each spring, Thacher’s hardcourts play host to some of the best junior players in California—some of whom have gone on to play Division 1 college tennis and even win Grand Slam Titles. 

Ojai’s wonderful weather and picturesque scenery provides a great setting for year-round play, whether the occasion is just hitting with friends or a varsity level match playing in the highly competitive Southern Section of the California Interscholastic Federation. With a full JV and varsity schedule, the tennis program has a home for players who are just learning the sport as well as high performers. The program's culture of sportsmanship, camaraderie and a willingness to fight for every ball, makes playing tennis an exciting and enjoyable experience for all. The varsity team’s recent success has entailed deep runs into the quarter finals of the CIF playoffs in 2023 and the semi finals in 2025. 

About Coach Emanuel: 
Despite growing up in Ojai, one of America's best tennis towns, Etienne came to the game in his 20s. While serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ukraine, he became a hitting partner with the director of the school where he coached and taught P.E. He played daily with a circuit of players that sometimes had to shovel snow to clear the courts. From there, a love for the game grew and still continues to this day. Coach Emanuel plays USTA leagues and tournaments, and he has coached for several years, including the Weil Tennis Academy. While coaching at Thacher, Coach Emanuel also works with the Ojai Valley Tennis Tournament teaching and preparing Thacher 10th graders to be ball kids for the “The Ojai” each spring when the tournament comes to town.