The California State Championships^[1] also called the California Championships was a men's and women's international hard court tennis tournament was founded in 1901.^[2] It was first played at Hotel Rafael, San Rafael, California, United States. It was also hosted at other locations throughout its run until 1983 when it was discontinued.^[2]

History

The tournament was first established in July 1901 when it was held at Hotel Rafael, San Rafael, California,^[3] the event had been inaugurated to take place at the same time as the Pacific Coast Championships July 2 to 4 that year but had been postponed until September.^[4] The first winner of the men's singles was George F. Whitney.^[4] In 1903 a women's event was added to the schedule with the state singles title going to Miriam Edwards.^[2]

The championships have been held in various locations including Berkeley,^[2] Menlo Park,^[2] Oakland,^[2] Pebble Beach,^[2] Portola Valley, San Francisco and San Rafael.^[2] The event was discontinued as an individual competition in 1983 when it became a team competition.^[2] Previous winners of the men's singles have included; Maurice McLoughlin,^[2] Bill Johnston,^[2] Ellsworth Vines,^[2] Don Budge,^[2]Frank Kovacs,^[2] Jack Kramer,^[2] Tony Roche^[5] and Sandy Mayer.^[2]

Former winners of the women's state singles championship has included; Hazel Hotchkiss, May Sutton, Helen Wills, Helen Jacobs, Alice Marble, Margaret Osborne, Mimi Arnold, Janet Hopps, Rosie Casals, Denise Carter, Billie Jean Moffitt King,^[6] Eliza Pande^[6] and Kate Latham.^[7] The tournament was discontinued in 1983 when it was switched from an individual competition to a team competition.^[2]

References