Arthur Ashe Wins US Open | September 9, 1968 | Forest Hills, New York

Arthur Ashe won his first U.S. Open men's singles crown, defeating Tom Okker of the Netherlands 14-12, 5-7, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 in the final. The 25-year-old Ashe, a lieutenant in the U.S. Army, played as an amateur and was ineligible to receive the $14,000 first prize in the $100,000 event - the richest tournament in tennis history. Ashe, a resident of Richmond, Va. collected $280 in expenses, at $20 per diem for 14 days, including two days of practice.