There are always notable anniversary years in the tennis world, but none is arguably more significant than 2018—the 50th anniversary of the birth of Open tennis. Prior to 1968, tennis was split in two. Amateurs competed at major events such as Wimbledon, Roland Garros, the U.S. and Australian Championships. Meanwhile, those very few who made money were banned from those prestigious tournaments, instead playing a barnstorming circuit of events all over the world.
But for a number of reasons, 1968 was the year everything changed. With tennis at last Open, all was in place for the sport to explode in all sorts of new and exciting ways—ways that continue to echo loudly to this day.
Over the course of 2018, Tennis Channel will celebrate this amazing half-century—great stars, notable moments, events and all else that have Open tennis one of the most captivating occurrences in the history of sports.
With the Australian Open underway, the time is right to tell the tale of the man still often considered the greatest player in tennis history: the one and only Rod Laver.