To help us pass some time this offseason, Midwest Sports is revealing 25 of our favorite moments in tennis history throughout the month of November.
Day 14: September 8, 1968: American amateur Arthur Ashe wins the 1968 US Open, becoming the first African-American male to capture a Grand Slam event.
Arthur Ashe vs. Tom Okker
American amateur Arthur Ashe defeated Tom Okker of the Netherlands in a match that went five sets, 14-12, 5-7, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3. Ashe became the first African-American male to capture a Grand Slam Event. The 1968 US Open was the first Grand Slam in the United States where pros were eligible to compete. Ashe's victory as an amateur was a surprise to many. Due to Ashe's amateur status, the 25-year-old Army lieutenant was not eligible to receive the first place prize money of $14,000. Instead, Ashe was "awarded" with a $20 per diem for 14 days.