Arthur Ashe Becomes First Black US Open Champion

Ashe's historic 1968 victory broke racial barriers in tennis

Mar. 17, 2026 at 11:20am

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In 1968, Arthur Ashe made history by becoming the first Black player to win the US Open tennis championship. As an amateur, Ashe defeated professional Tom Okker in a five-set final, cementing his place as a trailblazer in the newly opened "Open Era" of tennis.

Why it matters

Ashe's victory was a landmark moment that helped break down racial barriers in the sport of tennis. He went on to become the first Black player to win other major titles, including Wimbledon and the Australian Open, and represented the U.S. on the Davis Cup team for a decade.

The details

Ashe, who was a lieutenant in the U.S. Army at the time, was the No. 5 seed at the 1968 US Open, behind four professional Australian players. But he fought his way through the tournament and defeated Okker in a hard-fought five-set final, 14-12, 5-7, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3. As an amateur, Ashe was not allowed to accept the $14,000 first prize, which went to Okker.

  • The 1968 US Open was the first year of the "Open Era" in tennis, when the grand slam tournaments opened their doors to both amateurs and professionals.
  • Ashe won the NCAA title at UCLA in 1965 before joining the U.S. Army and leading the country's Davis Cup team.

The players

Arthur Ashe

An American tennis player who became the first Black champion of the US Open in 1968, as well as the first Black player to win Wimbledon and the Australian Open.

Tom Okker

A Dutch professional tennis player who faced Ashe in the 1968 US Open final, ultimately losing to the amateur Ashe in five sets.

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What’s next

The US Open's main stadium court is named after Arthur Ashe, honoring his historic achievement and lasting impact on the sport.

The takeaway

Ashe's trailblazing victory at the 1968 US Open paved the way for greater diversity and inclusion in professional tennis, setting the stage for future generations of players of color to compete at the highest levels of the game.