When Did the Open Era of Tennis Begin?

Open Era of Tennis began in 1968 when professional athletes were allowed to compete in the Grand Slam tournaments.

Introduction

The Open Era of tennis began in 1968. This marked the end of the amateur era of tennis and the beginning of professional tennis. The Open Era saw an influx of new talent into the sport of tennis, as players were now able to be paid for their efforts. This led to a more competitive environment and an increase in the level of play. Today, the Open Era is considered the most successful period in tennis history.

The Pre-Open Era

The open era of tennis began in 1968 when professional athletes were allowed to compete against amateurs in Grand Slam tournaments. Before that time, only amateurs were allowed to play in these prestigious events. The Pre-Open Era can be further divided into two periods: the Amateur Era and the Pro Era.

The Amateur Era of tennis lasted from the sport’s beginnings in the 19th century until just after World War II. In this period, only amateur athletes could compete in Grand Slam tournaments. The most famous player of the Amateur Era was Australian legend Rod Laver, who won a record 11 Grand Slam titles between 1960 and 1962.

The Pro Era began immediately after World War II and lasted until 1968. In this period, there were two types of tennis players: professionals, who were not allowed to compete in Grand Slam tournaments, and amateurs, who were. Professionals were typically paid to give tennis lessons or to compete in exhibition matches, while amateurs generally played for fun or prize money that was not considered payment for their participation. The most famous player of the Pro Era was American star Pancho Gonzales, who won a record 15 major titles between 1948 and 1958.

The Open Era

The Open Era is the current era of professional tennis. It began in 1968 when the Grand Slam tournaments allowed professional players to compete with amateurs. Prior to that time, only amateur players were allowed to compete in the Grand Slams.

The Open Era has seen some significant changes in tennis. Perhaps the most notable change is the increased prize money available to players. In 1968, prize money at Wimbledon was just over £6,000. In 2018, it had increased to over £34 million. This increase in prize money has made professional tennis a very lucrative career option for many young players.

The Open Era has also seen a dramatic increase in the number of countries represented at Grand Slam tournaments. When the Open Era began, only nine countries were represented at Wimbledon. In 2018, there were representation from 83 different nations. This increase is due largely to the increased prize money which has enticed players from all over the world to try their hand at professional tennis.

The Open Era has been a great boon for tennis fans as well. With so many more talented players competing on the biggest stages, there has never been a better time to be a fan of tennis!

Conclusion

The Open era of tennis began in 1968. This marked a major change in the sport, as professional players were finally allowed to compete against amateurs. Before 1968, only amateur players were allowed to compete in the major tournaments. This made it very difficult for professional players to make a living.

The Open era has seen some of the greatest players in tennis history, such as Roger Federer, Serena Williams, and Rafael Nadal. It has also seen some major changes to the sport itself, such as the introduction of tie-breakers and commercial breaks during matches.

Overall, the Open era has been a huge success and has made tennis more popular than ever before.