Arthur Ashe and Tom Okker

1968 U.S. Open final. These are highlights from the first set, which went to 14-12. It was the longest set in a Grand Slam final in the Open Era until Federer and Roddick went to 16-14 at Wimbledon in 2009.

[@JIM2oob]

Arthur's virtuosity and authority with the Wilson wood was incredible. Such a pure player. I really enjoy watching his play at that time and the amazing Tom Okker who's talents go unappreciated. Tom headed a summer tennis camp up in Muskoka Ontario in the 70's.

[@amb817]

These guys are so good and hit amazing shots for being 1968. I probably wouldn't even have a chance with today's racket trying to return Ashe's serve lol. Thank you so much for this footage and it's going in my tennis playlist 😀

[@alexbowie6316]

Thanks for uploading this historic and unique footage. AFAIK this is the match where Ash handed the winning cheque to Okker. The tennis is fabulous. Not the power game of today but just as enjoyable with the touch and feel of the wood rackets. These guys could volley and really play the all round game. Passing without all out power. No messing around and straight into the serve. So refreshing

[@jgamez5023]

I wish they had never gone away from wood rackets, it was such a delight to see such variety from the players

[@worldted]

I swear, the forehand that Okker hits at 10:51 looks like a shot that would work great on the ATP Tour in 2011. A forehand before its time!

[@alastairfaulds8184]

Bloody hell they hit the ball damn hard with those wooden racquets!

[@bruceschaffer101]

Thanks for posting. What a pleasure and a treasure to see the late, great Arthur Ashe playing terrific tennis in the US Open finals (and Tom Okker playing pretty great tennis, too)!

[@theoriginalthinker9199]

If Arthur Ashe wasn't burdened with the civil rights era, he would've been one of the greatest of all-time. He had every shot in the book along with a perfect physique for the game, and smooth, delicate footwork.

[@mrbobevans]

I completely agree. Ashe's game was so effortless. There is only one player that reminds me of Ashe, and that is Michael Stich. There physique's are almost the same - I guess Stich may be taller. Their serve motion is exactly the same, and their forehand and backhand are similar. Stich probably put more topspin. And their demeanor was the same. Ashe was involved in multiple causes, and Stich came into the tour after time spent in college.

[@theoriginalthinker9199]

mrbobevans Good comparison. I think no one has ever had the calm demeanor that Ashe had, though. With his Virginia upbringing, he was raised to be extremely polite. I've seen Stich mouth off at chair umpires. Ashe would never so that. I read his books, and he said that sometimes, early in his career, that he would purposely lose to players. Also, Ashe was 25 years old and still an amateur at this point. Today when most players turn pro at 19 or 20, you have to wonder how many grand slams he could've won in his early 20s if he weren't burdened with being the first great black tennis player. Even today, he's still the greatest black tennis player that ever lived.

[@darrallshamarwilliams7560]

Theoriginal thinker Arthur Aces Ashe is the greatest "Tennis player" to ever live.

[@theoriginalthinker9199]

Darrall Jr Williams Why do you say that?

[@emphryio]

Well he was burdened first and foremost with growing up during a time when he wasn't allowed to play against white players. At one point the city he grew up in cancelled a tournament rather than be forced to let him play in it. Even after Ashe was off playing Wimbledon people he grew up with still weren't allowed to play in local tournaments against whites. Ashe didn't get the opportunity to play against the other top players (which is essential to develop in the game) until relatively late in high school. With that said, there were people where he lived who worked extremely hard to improve black tennis. If Ashe had been born just about anywhere else in America racism would have ensured that tennis never became more than a hobby for him.

[@meettheturc]

R.I.P serve and volley.. miss u very much!

[@bh5606]

Beautiful, beautiful tennis.

[@kenarthur6253]

I wore Adidas Tom Okker tennis shoes back in the late 70s. Played competitively. Those were the most durable shoes ever. I could go thru a pair of Nike or Puma shoes in a week. Not the Okker shoe. Amazing quality.

[@yajustgotaloveit]

It would be nice if this film could be properly restored for the historic archives.

[@Scoclamor]

So there it is @ 3:43! The moment where Okker says, "What's the use, I can't see it anyway. Did he ever put up a fight! 14-12, 5-7, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3!

[@TheDmonet]

10:51 you see the earlier incarnations of modern tennis that basically put serve and volley to rest. That topspin pass he hits is now much easier with poly strings and graphite racquets, but Okker proved it was a viable strategy here.

[@miguelbarahona6636]

Yes, that was an open stance modern topspin forehand.

[@JIM2oob]

@worldted Okker was known for his 'extreme' topspin forehands back then, especially on the run - being Dutch, he was called "The Windmill" ! :))

[@MrPernell27]

His nickname was The Flying Dutchmen

[@Nleezie33]

I love this🎾🎾🎾

[@accel10s]

Okker - the "Flying Dutchman".

[@jimsj9482]

I much prefer Arthur Ashe's wood tennis to his Head Comp days. Incredible touch and talent. Okker too.

[@johnrobbins917]

Laver 13 Ashe 2 in head to head matches lifetime. It has been been noted that Ashe's low forehand volley was a weakness.

[@johnrobbins917]

No baseline rallies in this match.

[@Goete]

Amazing Talent!

[@JIM2oob]

Great match!! Rare to see Tom Okker play again. Very quick player with tons of spin. Watching this clip I like Arhur's game with the Wilson wood better than with the Head Comp he used later - much greater variety and touch, especially on volleys. Later, he came to rely on power and placement.

[@mikemcneeley1580]

That particular Wilson model is very hard to find today. ( It is similar to the Wilson Stan Smith racket)

[@SirPeter6464]

Saw Okker play many times in the UK, Never landed majors but he was a good money earner and first to earn a million dollars on the pro tour. He wasn't five ten though (as Wiki says). I say 5 8 tops.

[@preciousjey]

O k for Okker!

[@MrExchangeLots]

@ Pacemaker. It saddens me to read ignorant comments. Back in the sixties, television used tape to record. Over time there would be deterioration so what you are seeing now is a result of that. Back then, the images were crystal clear.

[@jyy82993]

Well you can't say that Okker's serve resembles Ivanisevic's since Okker came first, haha. From what I've been watching, these three guys have similar serves. I'll name them from the earliest time period to the current day. Feel free to add anyone to the mix. Okker --> Ivanisevic --> Troicki

[@LuLu-nw6bi]

beauty...

[@krosero]

@limpindrummer The original footage that I used is bleached out. I'm sure nothing has happened to the upload itself. It looks the same to me.

[@jxj9276]

I'm friends with Tom Okker's grandson. call me the goat

[@mikemcneeley1580]

Did you ever asked grandpa out for a hit?

[@jakubwidlarz]

From a mainstream POV Tennis' Jackie Robinson moment.

[@MrMobieleauto]

anyone knows fried schmitz?

[@berenicevanderweele6299]

In the seventies he was a top amateur player in the Netherlands.

[@ThePacemaker45]

damn!!...... in the sixties they must have strained their eyes alot when watching tv..

[@luishines2194]

Racism and discrimination was the cause his demises. Many Blacks would have excel if those to factors didn’t exist.

[@mikemcneeley1580]

Author was a great man and he was humble. He spent time talking with me at a WCT event