1969 Wimbledon Championships
The 1969 Wimbledon Championships was a combined men's and women's tennis tournament that was played on outdoor grass courts. It was the second edition of the Wimbledon Championships in the Open Era and the 83rd since its formation. It was held at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club at Wimbledon, London from Monday 23 June until Saturday 5 July 1969. Ann Jones became the first British champion of the open era, the first victor since 1961; Britain would have to wait 8 years, until the 1977 tournament to see another British winner in  the singles competition – Virginia Wade. Rod Laver won the men's singles title, his fourth Wimbledon crown after 1961, 1962 and 1968, and went on to win his second Grand Slam after 1962. 41-year-old Pancho Gonzalez beat Charlie Pasarell in a first-round men's singles match by a score of 22–24, 1–6, 16–14, 6–3, 11–9. At 112 games and 5 hours 20 minutes it was by far the longest match of the time. The match led to the introduction of the tiebreak in tennis. The 112-game record lasted 41 years until the Isner–Mahut match at  the 2010 Wimbledon Championships. Prize money. The total prize money for 1969 championships was £33,370. The winner of the men's title earned £3,000 while the women's singles champion earned £1.500. Champions. Seniors. Men's singles. Rod Laver defeated John Newcombe, 6–4, 5–7, 6–4, 6–4 Women's singles. Ann Jones defeated Billie Jean King, 3–6, 6–3, 6–2 Men's doubles. John Newcombe / Tony Roche defeated Tom Okker / Marty Riessen, 7–5, 11–9, 6–3 Women's doubles. Margaret Court / Judy Tegart defeated Patti Hogan / Peggy Michel, 9–7, 6–2 Mixed doubles. Fred Stolle / Ann Jones defeated Tony Roche / Judy  Tegart, 6–2, 6–3 Juniors. Boys' singles. Byron Bertram defeated John Alexander, 7–5, 5–7, 6–4 Girls' singles. Kazuko Sawamatsu defeated Brenda Kirk, 6–1, 1–6, 7–5