This tournament started the Open Era for Wimbledon, as it became the second Grand Slam tournament to offer prize money and allow professionals to compete after the 1968 French Open.[2][3] Singles champions Rod Laver and Billie Jean King had already won Wimbledon twice before in the amateur era.
Prize money
The 1968 championships was the first edition of the tournament to offer prize money. The total prize money for the event was £26,150. The winner of the men's title earned £2,000 while the women's singles champion earned £750.[1][4]
It was the last tournament at which the Men's Singles final was played on a Friday.
