From Amateurism to Open Tennis	Browse Other Pages Homepage A Viewpoint on the Game How It Began A Viewpoint on the Game 2 A Viewpoint on the Game 3 Concentration; Practice Condition, Physical and Mental Keep Your Eye on the Ball Footwork and Weight Control Women's Tennis The Grips The Service The Drive The Chop and the Slice The Volley The Subtle Shots Courage Your Opponent's Weaknesses General Tactics Outside Conditions Pressure on Your Opponent Doubles and Mixed Doubles The Coaching Job Legendary Tennis Players Olympic Tennis Does Youth Rule Tennis Hall of Fame Amateurism to Open Tennis Some Defects in Tennis Doping Olympic Review Technology and Sport The Slice Service Flat Serve The American Twist The Drive The Backhand Drive Drive - The Main Uses The Volley Net Position The Volley Position The Overhead Smash The Half-Volley The Drop Shot The Mechanics of the Slice The Main Uses of a Slice The Grips Doubles and Mixed Doubles To Open the Court Doubles In Europe and US Legendary Tennis Players (1940's) Questions in Australian Tennis History of Australian Tennis History of Australian Tennis 2 History of Australian Tennis Players Women's Tennis in Australia Australian Tennis: Nature Ages of Tennis Players The Careers of Women Players
	In December, 1967, one of the most significant events in tennis history occurred. The British Lawn Tennis Association (BLTA) in defiance of the main governing body, the International Lawn Tennis Federation (ILTF), declared that the 1968 Wimbledon toumament would be open to all tennis players, regardless of whether they were amateurs or professionals. The initial reaction from the ILTF was that if the event took place the BLTA would be expelled from the international federation and any amateurs who competed would be suspended. After several months of worldwide publicity, negotiations and compromises, the ILTF backed down and approved a certain number of open tournaments throughout the world. Thus, after 40 years of controversy, open tennis became a reality. Since the very beginnings of the open tennis idea originated in the United States, it seems logical that an objective study of the United States Tennis Association (USTA), the former United States Lawn Tennis Association, would indicate the development of events that surrounded the issues of the controversy. The United States Tennis Association, which was formed in 1881, not only was the first amateur sports governing body in the United States but is the oldest tennis association in the world. This organization was the important single influence affecting the growth and development of tennis in this country. The Association inaugurated numerous tournaments for adults and children and also legislated important rules and regulations for the well-being of the game and its players. During the growth of the USTA it was faced with adherence to one main principle - the principle of amateurism. The question of amateurism arose as early as 1882, the second year of the Association, and it was voted at that time that only amateurs would be allowed in tournaments sponsored by the USTA. Very few problems occurred in the beginning as tournaments were few and almost all players were definitely amateurs. Yet, as the game spread to more and more people, the complexities of the expansion opened the door to commercialism and professionalism. Much legislation was enacted as the Association tried to cope with problems concerned with its philosophy and the Amateur Code, such as the Sporting Goods Rule, the Player-Writer Rule, the Eight Weeks Rule, and changes in regulations for allowable expenses. The issue of competition between amateur and professional players arose with the appearance of professional players who exhibited their skill for money. Consequently, the open tournament question is closely intermingled with the development of professional tennis. Even though the concept of open tournaments was approved as early as the 1930’s by the USTA, it was never able to receive the necessary official sanction from the game’s highest body, the ILTF, until the BLTA forced the issue. It is obvious that since the first open at Wimbledon in 1968, the tennis world has undergone unbelievable changes. The dominant problems that face the USTA today are very much different from those in the years before 1968. The controversy of the Amateur Code and the question of open tournaments provide a colorful chapter in the history of tennis in this country. Home