Arthur Ashe becomes the first African-American man to win the US Open! | US Open 1968

Arthur Ashe captured the first US Open men’s championship in 1968, becoming the first African-American man to win a major title.

Ashe was still an amateur in the year that the sport finally decided to throw open its doors to professionals; indeed, U.S. Army Lieutenant Ashe needed to take leave from West Point just to compete in the event.

And compete he did, taking out Roy Emerson in the fourth round, Cliff Drysdale in the quarters, Clark Graebner in the semis and Tom Okker in a thrilling five-set final.

Having won the U.S. National Championships two weeks earlier at Longwood Cricket Club in Boston, Ashe also became the first—and only—man to win the Amateur and Open titles in the same year.

Following his historic win in 1968, Ashe would reach the US Open semis twice more, as well as the final in 1972. In addition, Ashe won both the Australian Open (1970) and Wimbledon (1975) titles, and he was a U.S. Davis Cup stalwart for years as a player and later as captain.

But his on-court achievements were but a slice of his rich and varied life. Before he passed away in 1993, this singular champion dedicated himself to being a champion of causes, from civil rights to education to simple understanding.

Certainly, there are tennis players with more trophies, but there are few who possessed more passion; few who represented themselves or the sport with more grace and dignity than the US Open’s first men’s champion, Arthur Ashe.

#blackhistorymonth #bhm

[SyncopateTheShot]

It’s really amazing to see the stands half full for a final, but then again, it was the first year of Open tennis. Arthur is a legend and always will be!!

[jjanderson]

WOW! What a treat to watch legend Arthur Ashe play with wood .. and his glasses. He beat fellow bespeckled American, Clark Graebner, in the semis. Tom Okker was a phenomenal spin artist, had a great forehand and was fast. First year of 'Open' Tennis, 'pros' playing 'amateurs'. Kudos!

[chaseofori-atta]

A legend both on & off the court--a humanist with a big heart! Rest well, Sir!

[thadtuiol]

Arthur Ashe was a class act and died way too young. RIP.

[frankcarbo]

Thanks so much - beautiful - especially as we get to see Ashe's serve before the later shoulder injuries took a toll. Newcombe once said that when Ashe was on, his serve to the deuce court was unreturnable. Just a pleasure to enjoy the fast grass court play with wood frames - these skills are long gone, to our loss... Please, release the whole match and we will thank you for quite a show - And this quality is very special...

[longinusgalaxy]

Learned some new and interesting things. Rest in peace.

[letsgomets]

Went today to the open. Very happy to see that Arthur is represented so strong there, to imagine growing up in Richmond and having a complex named after you in flushing queens.
Thank you to all you gave and will still give to the game my friend

Also awesome you still hear the planes as you do today

[AggroQM]

I played junior tennis because of Arthur Ashe starting in the 1970’s. I made the varsity team as a freshman in 1976. I had a great USTA junior tennis career. He was my favorite athlete.

[robertjones]

Great quality video and tennis. I always liked Ashe’s loose style and that serve was a monster. He was fun to watch on slower courts too, nice groundstrokes. His strategy to beat Connors in the Wimbledon final ‘75 is legendary. Nobody had given him a chance of beating Connors.

[canadiantesladventure]

These guys take less time between serves in an entire set than some players today do between individual points even with a shot clock.

[christopherwilliams]

In 1968, Ashe was also the first MAN to win the US Open, because the US Open started that year. Prior to the tournament "going open", it was called the US National Championships.

[Nybravest]

Wow. Was glad I watched this. Arthur Ashe...Amazing!

[sjrduarte]

Fantastic. Ashe was a pioneering genius. They went to the net a lot. They didn't play with so much power, they were more gentle, with strategy. The ball kids were more natural and less submissive. And there were no excessive breaks with towels, changes of clothes and pampering.

[JamaalABivens]

14-12 in the FIRST set? Wow! Interesting to not see them play tiebreaks. Also, while it's interesting to see the handiwork of both players, this feels like I'm watching another day at the country club instead of THE US Open. It really does put into perspective how those days were.

[JoseMorales-lwnt]

5:15/ Ah, that LaGuardia Airport roar! Hearing those low flying planes passing over the two combatants even in 1968 reminds me how much has changed AND remained the same...

[martydav]

How sad to see just 34 comments. No interest of course in Ashe's superb all-court tennis from the fanboys of the "GOATS" who rush, In their thousands, to tell us how their beloved hero's latest baseline grinding win makes them the GOAT.

[patrickkelly]

Thanks us open ! Great to see some footage of okker especially as there’s very little of him available . One notices also the poor state of the court and how on earth did they play doubles with the tramlines marked out right next to the adjacent court ? Must have been confusing One small whinge is the quality of the edit here and it would have been nice to see some of the next sets

[Sunny-xdxi]

If you went to middle school in the bx you know bout this man.. Rip

[larrywhitaker]

There's a great book about this match. It's called "levels of the game" by John McPhee I highly recommend it

[anybodyhandle]

After this game I was introduced to tenis, amazing even next after years was Tigerwood in golf / History in my life 💕💕💕😂🌈🚀🚀