First Serve.9b:A to Z.9y 8/4/08 7:18 PM Page 4 CELEBRATING 40 YEARS will not only showcase the world s toughest tennis, it also will celebrate one of this sport s major milestones 40 years of Open tennis. In 1968, tennis took down the wall that had separated amateur players from professional players, allowing those who d turned pro to once again compete in the sport s biggest events. Prior to that year, only amateurs could compete at the majors, in Davis Cup play and on the traditional tournament circuit. Pro tennis while featuring some of the most popular names in the sport largely comprised a series of barnstorming events held outside the recognized circuit. The move to open tennis to all was a defining moment for this sport, one that put tennis on the fast track to greater success, popularity and prominence. To mark four decades of smashing success, this year s Opening Night spectacular features a tribute to the 40 champions (21 men and 19 women) who have captured the singles titles at the US Open in these 40 years. Featuring a performance by the Jersey Boys (below), the Songs of Solomon Choir and Drums of Thunder, the evening will look back on the year 1968 and trace the evolution of this sport and the US Open through the highlights of these 40 unforgettable years. And throughout the two weeks of the tournament, the 2008 US Open will feature special tributes to past champions and Flushing fan favorites while celebrating the magic and memories of the past four decades. FIRSTSERVE This year s US Open Getty Images Top to bottom: 1968, US Open singles champions Virginia Wade and Arthur Ashe; 1981, Bjorn Borg, John McEnroe and Vitas Gerulaitis in New York City; 1994, Pete Sampras in Louis Armstrong Stadium; 1974, Chris Evert and Jimmy Connors at Forest Hills; 2004, Venus and Serena Williams at Arthur Ashe Kids Day; 2007, Roger Federer in Arthur Ashe Stadium. Fred Mullane/Camerawork USA Art Seitz Getty Images Getty Images Art Seitz Art Seitz 34 2 0 0 8 U S O P E N Joan Marcus