The US Open is one of tennis’s most watched and prestigious events.  The hard court tournament, is also recognized as one of the oldest tennis tournaments in the world. Technically the history of the US Open dates back to 1881, but it was not until 1968, that the tournament became open to professionals.

On this day, August 29th, in 1968, the first US Open tennis match was played with Billie Jean King against Vija Vuskains. The tournament was held at the West Side Tennis Club in Forest Hills, New York.  Professionals and amateurs alike entered the tournament, with 96 men and 63 women entering the event.  The prize money for the event was $100,000.

In honor of one of the sport’s early greats, the US Open is played at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.  The prize money of 1968 seems modest in comparison with the tournament’s present day prize money, which totals more than $21 million.  The US Open is also included in one of the four tournaments needed to win the Grand Slam, one of tennis’s most difficult feats.