The 1968 US Open (formerly known as U.S. National Championships) was a tennis tournament that took place on the outdoor grass courts at the West Side Tennis Club, Forest Hills in New York City, United States. The tournament ran from 29 August until 8 September. It was the 88th staging of the tournament and the fourth Grand Slam event of 1968. It was the first edition of the tournament in the Open Era of tennis and as such for the first time offered prize money, totaling $100,000. Arthur Ashe and Virginia Wade won the singles titles. Ashe was still registered as an amateur and therefore not entitled to the $14,000 first-prize money, which instead went to runner-up Tom Okker, while Wade earned $6,000.[3] Frank Parker, at the age of 52, lost to eventual champion Arthur Ashe in the second round, and still holds the record for the oldest man to compete in a Grand Slam singles tournament.
| 1968 US Open | |
|---|---|
| Date | 29 August – 8 September |
| Edition | 88th |
| Category | Grand Slam (ITF) |
| Prize money | $100,000 |
| Surface | Grass |
| Location | Forest Hills, Queens New York City, United States |
| Venue | West Side Tennis Club |
| Champions | |
| Men's singles | |
 Arthur Ashe[1] | |
| Women's singles | |
 Virginia Wade | |
| Men's doubles | |
| Robert Lutz / Stan Smith[2] | |
| Women's doubles | |
 Maria Bueno /  Margaret Court | |
| Mixed doubles | |
| Mary-Ann Eisel / Peter Curtis | |
Finals
edit
Men's singles
edit Arthur Ashe defeated 
Tom Okker,[1] 14–12, 5–7, 6–3, 3–6, 6–3
- • It was Ashe's 1st career Grand Slam singles title and his 1st and only at the US Open.
Women's singles
edit Virginia Wade defeated Billie Jean King, 6–4, 6–2
- • It was Wade's 1st career Grand Slam singles title and her 1st and only at the US Open.
Men's doubles
edit Bob Lutz / Stan Smith defeated Arthur Ashe / 
Andrés Gimeno,[2] 11–9, 6–1, 7–5
- • It was Lutz's 1st career Grand Slam doubles title.
- • It was Smith's 1st career Grand Slam doubles title.
Women's doubles
edit Maria Bueno / Margaret Court defeated Rosemary Casals / Billie Jean King, 4–6, 9–7, 8–6
- • It was Bueno's 11th and last career Grand Slam doubles title and her 4th at the US Open.
- • It was Court's 10th career Grand Slam doubles title and her 2nd at the US Open.
Mixed doubles
editNo mixed doubles event was held at the 1968 US Open. Results often listed are those of the 1968 U.S. National Championships held a month earlier in Boston.[4]
Mary-Ann Eisel / Peter Curtis defeated Tory Fretz / Gerry Perry 6–4, 7–5
References
edit- ^ a b "1968 US Open – Men's singles draw". Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP).
- ^ a b "1968 US Open – Men's doubles draw". Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP).
- ^ Dave Anderson (September 10, 1968). "Ashe Beats Okker to Win Tennis Open". The New York Times.
- ^ "Mixed doubles US National Championships, Boston". Archived from the original on 10 July 2012.