Definition
The 1968 French Open, officially known at the time as the Tournoi de Roland-Garros, was the 72nd edition of the French Open tennis tournament and the first Grand Slam event held during the Open Era, allowing both amateur and professional players to compete.
Overview
The tournament took place at Stade Roland Garros in Paris, France, from 20 May to 1 June 1968. It was the second of the four annual Grand Slam tournaments and the first to implement the Open Era reforms that began earlier that year. The competition featured men's and women's singles, men's and women's doubles, and mixed doubles events, played on the venue’s traditional red clay courts.
Notable champions included:
- Men's singles: Manuel Santana (Spain) defeated Croatian-born Australian Željko Franulović 8–6, 6–0, 5–7, 6–2.
- Women's singles: Nancy Richey (United States) defeated Ann Jones (Great Britain) 5–7, 6–4, 6–1.
- Men's doubles: Ken Rosewall (Australia) / Fred Stolle (Australia) defeated Rod Laver (Australia) / Roy Emerson (Australia) 6–1, 6–4, 6–2.
- Women's doubles: Margaret Court (Australia) / Judy Tegart-Dalton (Australia) defeated Gail Sherriff (Australia) / Rosie Casals (United States) 6–1, 6–4.
- Mixed doubles: Marty Riessen (United States) / Ann Haydon-Jones (Great Britain) defeated Bob Howe (Australia) / Françoise Dürr (France) 6–4, 6–3.
The tournament marked a historic transition in tennis, as it was the first Grand Slam to award prize money to all participants, signalling the end of the strict amateurism that had characterized the sport for decades. The total prize fund was modest by modern standards but set a precedent for subsequent events.
Etymology / Origin
- French Open: The term “French Open” derives from the tournament’s location in France and its open eligibility to both amateurs and professionals, a change implemented in 1968. Prior to the Open Era, the event was known as the “French Championships” and was restricted to amateur competitors.
- Roland Garros: The venue is named after French aviator Roland Garros, who was a World War I hero; the stadium was inaugurated in 1928.
Characteristics
- Surface: The competition is played on red clay (terre battue), a slower surface that influences ball bounce and rally length.
- Draw size: The singles draws each featured 128 players, while the doubles draws comprised 64 teams.
- Seeding and ranking: 16 seeds were allocated in the singles events, reflecting the nascent ATP and WTA ranking systems that would be formalized in later years.
- Significance: As the inaugural Open Era Grand Slam, the 1968 French Open is frequently cited in tennis historiography as a pivotal moment that transformed the sport’s professional structure, commercial appeal, and global reach.
- Technology: Matches were played without electronic line-calling or Hawk-Eye technology; officiating relied entirely on human line judges and the chair umpire.
- Broadcasting: The tournament was televised in Europe and parts of North America, marking increased media exposure for tennis.
Related Topics
- Open Era (tennis)
- Grand Slam (tennis)
- Roland Garros (stadium)
- 1968 Wimbledon Championships – the third Grand Slam of the 1968 season, also part of the Open Era debut.
- Professional tennis circuits of the 1960s (e.g., World Championship Tennis)
- Evolution of prize money in Grand Slam tournaments
- Notable players of the 1960s: Rod Laver, Ken Rosewall, Margaret Court, Ann Jones, Manuel Santana.