Before the Open era of tennis began in 1968, professional tennis players were forbidden from playing in the major tournaments, such as Wimbledon, the United States Open (then called the United States National Championships) and the French and Australian Opens.
Amateurs were often paid under the table and in appearance fees, rather than based on their results. In an effort to draw all of the best players to the sport’s biggest tournaments, tennis went pro, starting with the British Hard Court Championships in Bournemouth, England, in April 1968.
Virginia Wade, who reached No. 2 in the world in 1975, had a knack for winning on notable occasions.