Fiend at Court Unplugged
The total prize purse for the first U.S. Open tennis tournament in 1968 was $100,000. Thus started a tradition of USLTA one-upmanship of offering more prize money than any of the other Grand Slam events. Leading into the tournament in 1968, the pressing public question was the source of the funds to be awarded. In retrospect, the distribution of prize money was more culturally and socioeconomically significant. It established the precedent for how money would be allocated between the men and women in the Open Era.
The public was worried that ticket prices would be raised, which they ultimately were. Of course, the USLTA had multiple sources of income for the event. Ticket sales, parking, concessions, and TV-Radio rights all contributed to the bottom line. Prior to the Open Era, the highest grossing year at Forest Hills was $232,000 in 1965. With corporate sponsors lining up for the event, the USLTA had the purse easily covered.
Of that $100,000 initial prize money, $80,000 was allocated to the men which left $20,000 for the women. For the men, $64,000 went to the singles draw leaving $16,000 for doubles. The women’s breakdown followed the same ratios with $16,000 for singles and $4,000 to doubles. There was no indication in the newspapers at the time questioning the financial inequity between the genders.
Prior to the event, USLTA President Robert Kelleher went on record to share that “All the money would be distributed to the pros, even if an amateur wins the title.” That turned out to be quite relevant as Arthur Ashe won the men’s singles title while registered as an amateur. That meant that Ashe’s opponent in the finals, Tom Okker, received the $14,000 that Ashe would have received as a professional. For his trouble at the event, Ashe received $15 each day to cover his expenses.
As a side note, Ashe’s semi-final match against Clark Grabner at the tournament was the subject of John McPhee’s Levels of the Game literary masterpiece.
Virginia Wade won the first US Open women’s singles title and received $6,000 for the tournament. She defeated Billie Jean King in the finals. In an unexpected twist, Billie Jean King was honored on the opening day of the event by playing the first scheduled stadium match conducted at the US Open. For deep trivia buffs, her opponent in that match was Helen Amos.
In the run up to the tournament, the New York Times described Billie Jean King as the sport’s most “energetic and refreshing thinker.” It is obvious in retrospect that the disparity in finances was going to be an issue and that King was likely to emerge as a catalyst for change.
- First U.S. Tennis Open to Begin at Forest Hills Aug. 29; $100,000 in prizes slated for the pros, Dave Anderson, The New York Times, May 4, 1968.
- 16 Pros to Be Seeded in Men’s Division of First U.S. Open Tennis, Dave Anderson, The New York Times, June 12, 1968.
- U.S. Open Tennis Starting Today, Neil Amdur, The New York Times, August 29, 1968.
- Miss Wade Upsets Mrs. King, 6-4, 6-2, and Wins U.S. Open Tennis Title, Neil Amdur, The New York Times, September 9, 2021.
