It’s really amazing to see the stands half full for a final, but then again, it was the first year of Open tennis. Arthur is a legend and always will be!!
WOW! What a treat to watch legend Arthur Ashe play with wood .. and his glasses. He beat fellow bespeckled American, Clark Graebner, in the semis. Tom Okker was a phenomenal spin artist, had a great forehand and was fast. First year of 'Open' Tennis, 'pros' playing 'amateurs'. Kudos!
Thanks so much - beautiful - especially as we get to see Ashe's serve before the later shoulder injuries took a toll. Newcombe once said that when Ashe was on, his serve to the deuce court was unreturnable. Just a pleasure to enjoy the fast grass court play with wood frames - these skills are long gone, to our loss... Please, release the whole match and we will thank you for quite a show - And this quality is very special...
@@thadtuiol1717 1968 MLK AND RFK assassinated, race riots, Chicago convention, Tet Offensive Richard Nixon elected. Ah yes, those were the days! But at least they were using wooden racquets says the guy typing his comment on a computer, not a typewriter.
Went today to the open. Very happy to see that Arthur is represented so strong there, to imagine growing up in Richmond and having a complex named after you in flushing queens. Thank you to all you gave and will still give to the game my friend Also awesome you still hear the planes as you do today
I played junior tennis because of Arthur Ashe starting in the 1970’s. I made the varsity team as a freshman in 1976. I had a great USTA junior tennis career. He was my favorite athlete.
Great quality video and tennis. I always liked Ashe’s loose style and that serve was a monster. He was fun to watch on slower courts too, nice groundstrokes. His strategy to beat Connors in the Wimbledon final ‘75 is legendary. Nobody had given him a chance of beating Connors.
Wow - it sure has. Grass court with persistently poor bounce, wooden racquets, low-tech gut strings, essentially still amateurs, no coaches/physios/nutrition advisor teams etc, tennis shoes barely better than 'plimsolls'. And after the match they'd go for a few beers together! Courts and equipment just too random back then.
In 1968, Ashe was also the first MAN to win the US Open, because the US Open started that year. Prior to the tournament "going open", it was called the US National Championships.
Fantastic. Ashe was a pioneering genius. They went to the net a lot. They didn't play with so much power, they were more gentle, with strategy. The ball kids were more natural and less submissive. And there were no excessive breaks with towels, changes of clothes and pampering.
14-12 in the FIRST set? Wow! Interesting to not see them play tiebreaks. Also, while it's interesting to see the handiwork of both players, this feels like I'm watching another day at the country club instead of THE US Open. It really does put into perspective how those days were.
5:15/ Ah, that LaGuardia Airport roar! Hearing those low flying planes passing over the two combatants even in 1968 reminds me how much has changed AND remained the same...
How sad to see just 34 comments. No interest of course in Ashe's superb all-court tennis from the fanboys of the "GOATS" who rush, In their thousands, to tell us how their beloved hero's latest baseline grinding win makes them the GOAT.
Thanks us open ! Great to see some footage of okker especially as there’s very little of him available . One notices also the poor state of the court and how on earth did they play doubles with the tramlines marked out right next to the adjacent court ? Must have been confusing One small whinge is the quality of the edit here and it would have been nice to see some of the next sets
He was actually the first man to win the U.S. Open. You don't have to label him in any way at all. He's the first man period. No one had done it before him because 1968 was the first U.S. Open. Rod Laver was the first white man to win the U.S. Open (1969). I'm not sure, but Ashe may be the last amateur to win a major singles tournament. Can anyone here confirm that?
Actually, it's the first US Open ever, since the Open era started in 1968. That's why it's mentioned at 00:53 that 15 days before Ashe had won the amateur championships at Boston. So he is literally the first man to win the US Open. But his contribution as an African-American in tennis is historical. And it must be said that, long before Borg and Federer, Ashe was the epitome of "cool" on the tennis court.
@@bluesanc88 So Wimbledon, US open and Australian open are in grass, and what about Roland Garros, was in grass too or was always in clay? And wich year was the change of the surface?
To Compare records of one era is not the best criterion because as you can see in 1968 the US Open was played way back on a grass surface. I am totally surprised that They switched to hard Court in the 1970s sadly.
It’s really amazing to see the stands half full for a final, but then again, it was the first year of Open tennis. Arthur is a legend and always will be!!
WOW! What a treat to watch legend Arthur Ashe play with wood .. and his glasses. He beat fellow bespeckled American, Clark Graebner, in the semis. Tom Okker was a phenomenal spin artist, had a great forehand and was fast. First year of 'Open' Tennis, 'pros' playing 'amateurs'. Kudos!
A legend both on & off the court--a humanist with a big heart! Rest well, Sir!
Arthur Ashe was a class act and died way too young. RIP.
Așa este
Thanks so much - beautiful - especially as we get to see Ashe's serve before the later shoulder injuries took a toll. Newcombe once said that when Ashe was on, his serve to the deuce court was unreturnable. Just a pleasure to enjoy the fast grass court play with wood frames - these skills are long gone, to our loss... Please, release the whole match and we will thank you for quite a show - And this quality is very special...
Yeah, I miss those days. I wish tennis had stuck with wooden rackets, so much more skill and guile back then.
@@thadtuiol1717 1968 MLK AND RFK assassinated, race riots, Chicago convention, Tet Offensive Richard Nixon elected. Ah yes, those were the days! But at least they were using wooden racquets says the guy typing his comment on a computer, not a typewriter.
Went today to the open. Very happy to see that Arthur is represented so strong there, to imagine growing up in Richmond and having a complex named after you in flushing queens.
Thank you to all you gave and will still give to the game my friend
Also awesome you still hear the planes as you do today
Learned some new and interesting things. Rest in peace.
I played junior tennis because of Arthur Ashe starting in the 1970’s. I made the varsity team as a freshman in 1976. I had a great USTA junior tennis career. He was my favorite athlete.
These guys take less time between serves in an entire set than some players today do between individual points even with a shot clock.
But which guys give more physically to serving? Tennis has evolved and so with that do the protocols evolve.
@@bluesanc88 well said
Yes but now points are so long so hard to win and so physically demanding that it is not normal to serve like in the past it is basic logic?
I love it and I miss it. No grunting either.
By the time some players finish a single point, these guys finish a game. They can play faster because points are over in 3 shots.
Great quality video and tennis. I always liked Ashe’s loose style and that serve was a monster. He was fun to watch on slower courts too, nice groundstrokes. His strategy to beat Connors in the Wimbledon final ‘75 is legendary. Nobody had given him a chance of beating Connors.
Its come a long way hasn't it
Wow - it sure has. Grass court with persistently poor bounce, wooden racquets, low-tech gut strings, essentially still amateurs, no coaches/physios/nutrition advisor teams etc, tennis shoes barely better than 'plimsolls'. And after the match they'd go for a few beers together!
Courts and equipment just too random back then.
@@danguee1 Yet there were still those who separated themselves from the rest of the pack
@@danguee1 But so much variety in their play and so much more interesting to watch than a one-dimensional baseline borefest.
Legend. Watched for three minutes
In 1968, Ashe was also the first MAN to win the US Open, because the US Open started that year. Prior to the tournament "going open", it was called the US National Championships.
Wow. Was glad I watched this. Arthur Ashe...Amazing!
Fantastic. Ashe was a pioneering genius. They went to the net a lot. They didn't play with so much power, they were more gentle, with strategy. The ball kids were more natural and less submissive. And there were no excessive breaks with towels, changes of clothes and pampering.
14-12 in the FIRST set? Wow! Interesting to not see them play tiebreaks. Also, while it's interesting to see the handiwork of both players, this feels like I'm watching another day at the country club instead of THE US Open. It really does put into perspective how those days were.
1968 MLK AND RFK assassinated, race riots, Chicago convention, Tet Offensive Richard Nixon elected. Ah yes, those were the days!
Ashe was smooth. Technically sound.
so inspirational!
That serve so smooth
Arthur Ashe Historic!
We lost Arthur way to soon 🙏
❤RIP arthur ahse
5:15/ Ah, that LaGuardia Airport roar! Hearing those low flying planes passing over the two combatants even in 1968 reminds me how much has changed AND remained the same...
More likely JFK, which is closer to Forest Hills than LGA.
They play fast
There's a great book about this match. It's called "levels of the game" by John McPhee I highly recommend it
How sad to see just 34 comments. No interest of course in Ashe's superb all-court tennis from the fanboys of the "GOATS" who rush, In their thousands, to tell us how their beloved hero's latest baseline grinding win makes them the GOAT.
If you went to middle school in the bx you know bout this man.. Rip
Thanks us open ! Great to see some footage of okker especially as there’s very little of him available . One notices also the poor state of the court and how on earth did they play doubles with the tramlines marked out right next to the adjacent court ? Must have been confusing One small whinge is the quality of the edit here and it would have been nice to see some of the next sets
Incredible!
East Africa produced excellent African American sportsmen.
Is that Tom Okker or James Caan? I can't tell.
What country did Arthur Ashe represent? The score board had Okker, Netherlands, Ashe, blank. Indeed...
Ashe was an officer in USA army..... So you know
After this game I was introduced to tenis , amazing even next after years was Tigerwood in golf / History in my life 💕💕💕😂🌈🚀🚀
First year of Open tennis I believe. What did his draw look like?
It says in the description.
Cool to look back in time, but I can see why the courts were slowed so not everyone would play serve volley
Same, but to me there is something magical about tennis on a bumpy grass court.
Why was there only one set played?
He was actually the first man to win the U.S. Open. You don't have to label him in any way at all. He's the first man period. No one had done it before him because 1968 was the first U.S. Open. Rod Laver was the first white man to win the U.S. Open (1969). I'm not sure, but Ashe may be the last amateur to win a major singles tournament. Can anyone here confirm that?
This clip is just as long as the shortest month of the year.
8mins?
According to Noah Websters First Edition 1828 dictionary Arthur Ash is the on American to win PTA championship. (Fun Fact!)
Amen
Grass Us Open?
Grass and played at Forest Hills, then clay and then moved to Flushing Meadows on hard courts.
@@MrPernell27 oh cool! Thanks for the great facts! If you enjoy tennis, you might enjoy my channel! 🔥🎾
Connors won in grass, clay and hard court after 1977. who can do that now ?
Waveform update= Arthur Ashe 🎾
Didn't know the US Open was played on grass, an also clay at one point. I always thought it was hardcourt surface.
First man to win the US Open . it was the the first Open
No it wasn't, it began in 1881. This was the first during the open era.
❤❤❤
✊🏾💛
The Flying Dutchman
Should have said Arthur Ashe becomes the first man to win the US Open!
I agree with the title.... It's history
Actually, it's the first US Open ever, since the Open era started in 1968.
That's why it's mentioned at 00:53 that 15 days before Ashe had won the amateur championships at Boston.
So he is literally the first man to win the US Open.
But his contribution as an African-American in tennis is historical.
And it must be said that, long before Borg and Federer, Ashe was the epitome of "cool" on the tennis court.
Get your popcorn and broomsticks ready.
In high school ,Our Generation, believed that Tennis was for Sissies ❤ Forgive Us Boomers Yall ❤ John Barnett Thanks ❤
US Open played on GRASS? Who are we kidding, man?
Us open in grass?
Australian open was on grass too at the time.
@@bluesanc88 So Wimbledon, US open and Australian open are in grass, and what about Roland Garros, was in grass too or was always in clay? And wich year was the change of the surface?
@@kristianyankov7535 US Open switched to green clay from 1975-77, and from 1978 to hardcourt. Ausopen switched to hardcourt in 1988.
To Compare records of one era is not the best criterion because as you can see in 1968 the US Open was played way back on a grass surface.
I am totally surprised that They switched to hard Court in the 1970s sadly.
Connors won in grass, clay and hard court after 1977. who can do that now ?
He is class. Serena is the opposite.
It seems refreshing to watch serve and volley in full flight here. But the sheer dearth of rallies make it so boring to watch after a while.
All slams were played of grass, save the French.
But not the first human being
still can't get over how boring tennis was back then
First
Why don't they just say black
Was there a magnet in the net at that time?
What a boring game