During a magnificent ceremony, former tennis champions, including Rod Laver, Virginia Wade, Roger Federer and Maria Sharapova, celebrated the start of the U.S. Open and the 40th anniversary of the professional era. Also in the Arthur Ashe Stadium court were the familiar faces of John Newcombe, John McEnroe, Billy Jean King, Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova.
The celebration’s program featured different types of music, from gospel singers to period band Earth, Wind and Fire. The champions were serenaded by the band while a film with the greatest moments of the sport was played on a screen. The montage included an interview with Arthur Ashe, who won the first U.S. Open in 1968. “You didn't get five minutes to breathe,” Ashe said about the tournament. “This was the first U.S. Open. It was a very good time for something positive to happen in the sports world.”
The new era of tennis meant a huge change in the sport. In 1968, the tournament purse was $100. This year, the purse has increased to $20.6 million with the winners receiving $1.5 million each. The celebration of the 40th anniversary of the new era saw champions glowing through camera flashes.
“I still get a thrill to be around Rod Laver and champions of the past and Billie Jean. I idolized them when I was growing up,” Chris Evert commented to reporters. Rod Laver, the first player to complete a grand slam sweep in 1969, said he celebrated the decision to allow players to become professionals. “Officials were mad if anybody turned professional because there went your draw card. They finally saw the light and had open tennis, which we all knew was going to be successful,” he added.