By Randy Walker
@TennisPublisher
The West Side Tennis Club in Forest Hills hasn’t hosted the U.S. Open since 1977 but is starting to get more back in the U.S. Open spotlight with its annual “Heritage Day” celebration.
The club honored the first singles champions at the first “open” U.S. Open from 1969 – Virginia Wade and Arthur Ashe – on the 50th anniversary of their historic achievements on the Saturday night before the start of the main draw of the U.S. Open.
Wade spoke of her rising to the occasion to beat Billie Jean King in the final and saying to herself “You better damn well win it because you may never be in the final again.”
She recalled the days when the U.S. Open was played at Forest Hills saying, “The stadium would be full. It was very exclusive. We would come in by subway, get off, walk in here, keep ourselves hidden and keep away from all the fancy members. The first time I came back here and had dinner, it was very special.”
Video of Wade’s speech can be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quJ_mU6EkmE
Ashe was represented by his younger brother Johnnie, who spoke of Forest Hills being “hallowed grown” and how the 1968 U.S. Open win for his brother gave him “a voice” to “transition from athlete to citizen of the world.” Johnnie recalled his brother saying to him over the phone two hours after his five-set final-round win over Tom Okker, “I’m a champion now. People will listen to me now.”
Johnnie Ashe’s speech can be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wrRLjQW3zA
Wade and Ashe were honored by the club with banners signifying their achievements that will hang underneath the 12,000-seat stadium that is now used as a concert venue.
“These banners will hang in the Stadium and tens of thousands of visitors will see them and better understand the remarkable events that have happened here, events that changed tennis forever” said West Side CEO Mario DiPreta.
The club previously honored former U.S. champions Jack Kramer and Maureen Connolly and will continue to honor tennis greats in ceremonies at the club on the Saturday evening before the start of the main draw of the tournament. Next year, the club plans to honor Rod Laver on the 50th anniversary of his historic second Grand Slam that he completed with his U.S. Open victory at Forest Hills.
For more information, please contact West Side Tennis Club CEO Mario DiPreta, 718-268-2300 or by email at mdipreta@foresthillstennis.com.
