The man who played the very first match of the open era
In short: In April 1968, tennis underwent a structural revolution. While history often focuses on the legends who defined the professional era, one Australian player, Owen Davidson, holds the distinction of being the first person to win a match once the sport finally opened its doors to professionals.
Owen Keir Davidson was a cornerstone of professional tennis throughout the 1960s and 1970s. While he was a formidable singles player—notably reaching the Wimbledon semifinals in 1966 by defeating top seed Roy Emerson—his true mastery lay in doubles. His career was defined by an extraordinary ability to partner with the era's greatest talents, including Billie Jean King, John Newcombe, and Ken Rosewall.
Davidson’s most remarkable feat occurred in 1967, when he achieved a calendar year slam in mixed doubles. He secured the Australian Championships alongside Lesley Turner Bowrey, before sweeping the French Championships, Wimbledon, and the US Championships with Billie Jean King. This level of dominance in the mixed category remains a rare benchmark in tennis history.
His place in the record books was cemented in April 1968 at the British Hard Court Championships in Bournemouth. By defeating John Clifton in the opening round, Davidson became the first player to record a victory in the newly established open era. This transition marked the end of strict amateurism and the beginning of the modern professional circuit we recognize today.
For his contributions to the sport, Davidson received the highest honors, being inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2010. He was later honored by his home country, joining the Australian Tennis Hall of Fame at Melbourne's Rod Laver Arena on 26 January 2011. He passed away in Conroe, Texas, in May 2023 at the age of 79.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Owen Davidson
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