Bournemouth, the first Open tournament.

[KG1965]

I have this evidence. I do not know if it is true.
Bournemouth hosts the first Open tournament in 1968.

Rosewall won.

It can be hard to believe that one of the most important tournaments in Tennis History played in Bournemouth in England at the end of April 1968. Yet this is how it was the first Open tournament ever and the final saw two Legends of our Sport.

On April 28, Ken Rosewall beat Rod Laver in the final with a score of 3-6 6-2 6-0 6-3 and conquered the first open tournament for both amateurs and professionals. He buys a $ 2,400 check, but it was not its primary purpose: "This title is much more important than money, it's the value and prestige that count."


A few weeks after that same end will be repeated at Roland Garros in the first Major of the Era Open. Rosewall will have the best on Laver again in 4 sets.

 

[Mainad]

Fascinating piece of history, thanks. Rosewall then has the distinction of being the winner of the first ever tournament of the Open Era and also the first ever Open Era Slam champion with his great friend and rival Laver as runner-up on both occasions (Laver did however go on to become the first Open Era champion at Wimbledon)!

Nice one Kenny and Rod!!

 

[Waspsting]

This was on grass?

How the game has changed

The forehand and the serve - the cornerstone of the modern player - were two of Rosewall's relative weaknesses

He sliced his way to King of Clay status. In this period, Nadal has top spun his way to the same title

 

[KG1965]

This was on grass?

How the game has changed

The forehand and the serve - the cornerstone of the modern player - were two of Rosewall's relative weaknesses

He sliced his way to King of Clay status. In this period, Nadal has top spun his way to the same title

Clay, ... red clay. I have not idea what the consistency is, whether that of the European continent or faster.

It's curious that in England hard court is .. the clay and not the fast fields.

 

[KG1965]

Other photos from subsequent editions.

 

[Limpinhitter]

I have this evidence. I do not know if it is true.
Bournemouth hosts the first Open tournament in 1968.

Rosewall won.

It can be hard to believe that one of the most important tournaments in Tennis History played in Bournemouth in England at the end of April 1968. Yet this is how it was the first Open tournament ever and the final saw two Legends of our Sport.

On April 28, Ken Rosewall beat Rod Laver in the final with a score of 3-6 6-2 6-0 6-3 and conquered the first open tournament for both amateurs and professionals. He buys a $ 2,400 check, but it was not its primary purpose: "This title is much more important than money, it's the value and prestige that count."


A few weeks after that same end will be repeated at Roland Garros in the first Major of the Era Open. Rosewall will have the best on Laver again in 4 sets.

Excellent pics KG.

 

[hoodjem]

Other photos from subsequent editions.

I recognize most of these players. But who is this?

 

[KG1965]

I recognize most of these players. But who is this?

I did not even know him, hoodjem.

Gerald Battrick (27 May 1947– 26 November 1998) was a Welsh tennis player who reached as high as No. 3 in Britain (and World No. 53), winning at least 6 titles.
In 1971 he won the singles title at the Dutch Open in Hilversum, defeating Australian Ross Case in the final in three straight sets, and the British Hard Court Championships in Bournemouth where he won the final against Željko Franulović in four sets.

In doubles, Battrick reached the quarter-finals of the French Open in 1968 and 1970 and at Wimbledon in 1975.

 

[Wolbo]

British Pathé newsreel

 

[jaggy]

I remember watching (on TV) a very young Stefan Edberg playing at Bournemouth early 80s.. I expected a baseliner and was quite surprised.

 

[KG1965]

British Pathé newsreel
Wikipedia article

Great!

 

[Mainad]

British Pathé newsreel
Wikipedia article

Thanks for posting these. So Virginia Wade became the first Open Era women's singles champion. Nice one Ginny!!

 

[hoodjem]

I did not even know him, hoodjem.

Gerald Battrick (27 May 1947– 26 November 1998) was a Welsh tennis player who reached as high as No. 3 in Britain (and World No. 53), winning at least 6 titles.
In 1971 he won the singles title at the Dutch Open in Hilversum, defeating Australian Ross Case in the final in three straight sets, and the British Hard Court Championships in Bournemouth where he won the final against Željko Franulović in four sets.

In doubles, Battrick reached the quarter-finals of the French Open in 1968 and 1970 and at Wimbledon in 1975.

Ahh. Thanks for the info. Welsh!

No wonder. (I've never heard of him before now.)

 

[old man stringer]

The term hard court in the UK meant clay while the actual event was more on a dirt surface. Gerald could slice the ball so it would only bounce 2 inches off the surface. He was married to Caroline , a stunning model. I escourted her once because Gerald was playing and she wore Bordeaux colored fingernail polish, an absolute mind blowing combo. Franulovich is the tourney director for Monte Carlo and anyone who had to play against him is still cussing because he hit the ball fractions inside the baseline on every damn shot but he was always the extreme gentleman.The real question you need to ask is who did Mark Cox beat at Bournemouth and what were the circumstances. Good Luck.

 

[jaggy]

I remember this I am sure on here, well I don't actually remember but it rings a bell. He was the first amateur to do something, reach a certain round?

 

[old man stringer]

I believe he was the first amateur to beat a pro, could have been Richard Alonzo Gonzales, ever heard of him ? Pancho did not like playing lefties despite the effortless slice on his backhand. I saw Pancho lose to Pilic at the west side tennis club and God rest happening to be in his way going into the clubhouse. I have never seen such fury in my life. But a really gentle soul with women. The last time i talked him was when he was with his daughter in the final four club at the US open just before cancer took him and never have I seen a more loving man. Tennis is just a small part of life but sometimes the players take on very large personas.

 

[Phoenix1983]

Hi Kiki.