After the 1968 French Open, the tournament was the second Grand Slam tournament since the beginning of the Open Era to allow professional tennis players.
Rod Laver appeared as the top seeded player at the Wimbledon Championships. He had last won the title in 1962. Since he switched to the professional tour in 1963, he was no longer allowed to participate in any Grand Slam tournaments. These were only open to amateurs. At this year's tournament, professional players were also entitled to participate for the first time. Due to his success on the professional tour, Laver was considered the favorite for the title. On the way to the final, he defeated two seeded players. In the last sixteen, he beat the American Dennis Ralston in five sets. In the semifinals he had fewer difficulties against No. 13 seed Arthur Ashe and prevailed in three sets.
Laver's final opponent was Australian Tony Roche , who was number 15 . Roche was able to defeat last year's winner John Newcombe in the round of 16 and, after victories against No. 10 seeded Earl Buchholz and Clark Graebner, moved into the final, where he lost to Laver in three sets.
After winning Wimbledon in 1966 and 1967, Billie Jean King was again the favorite for the title. Only in the semi-finals against No. 4 seeded Brit Ann Jones did she give up the first set. King's opponent in the final was the number 7 seeded Australian Judy Tegart , who defeated two seeded players on the way to the final. In the quarter-finals she met her runner-up compatriot Margaret Court , who she defeated in three sets, and in the semifinals on the No. 3 seeded US American Nancy Richey , who she defeated in two sets.
In the final, King prevailed in two sets and secured the individual title at Wimbledon for the third time.
John Newcombe
Billie Jean King
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Bob Hewitt Frew McMillan.svg){kind=small}
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