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1968 Men's National Tennis League

{{ Infobox tennis circuit season

| name = 1968 Men's NTL League

| image = Rodney George Laver.jpg

| image_caption = Laver won most title's this year

| image_alt =

| image_size = 125px

| duration = 18 March – 2 November

| edition = 1st

| tournaments = 18

| categories = (Pro)

| most_tournament_titles = {{flagicon|Australia}} Rod Laver (7)

| most_tournament_finals = {{flagicon|Australia}} Rod Laver (8)

| prize_money_leader =

| points_leader =

| player_of_the_year =

| most_improved_player_of_the_year =

| newcomer_of_the_year =

| comeback_player_of_the_year =

| previous =

| next = 1969

}}

The 1968 Men's National Tennis League (NTL) {{cite book|last1=Gitlin|first1=Marty|title=Billie Jean King: Tennis Star & Social Activist: Tennis Star & Social Activist|date=2011|publisher=ABDO|isbn=9781617149467|page=[https://archive.org/details/billiejeankingte0000gitl/page/46 46]|url=https://archive.org/details/billiejeankingte0000gitl|url-access=registration|quote=National Tennis league 1968.|language=en}} was the inaugural series of professional tennis tournaments founded by George McCall, among others: Rod Laver, Roy Emerson, Ken Rosewall, Andrés Gimeno, Pancho Gonzales and Fred Stolle.

History

In 1967 two new professional tennis organizations were formed: the National Tennis League,{{cite book|last1=Robertson|first1=max|title=Encyclopaedia of Tennis|date=1974|publisher=Allen & Unwin|isbn=9780047960420|page=74|url=https://www.amazon.com/Encyclopaedia-Tennis-Max-Robertson/dp/0047960426|language=English}} organized by former U.S. Davis Cup captain George MacCall, and World Championship Tennis (WCT), which was founded by New Orleans promoter Dave Dixon and funded by Dallas oil and football tycoon Lamar Hunt. At the time the two professional tours signed a significant number of the world’s top players, professional and amateur.

In 1968 Men's National Tennis League offered prize money totaling $400,000 USD.{{cite news |last1=Prugh |first1=Jeff |title=Pro Net League to Aid Minority Group Youths |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/383110643/?terms=Buenos%20Aires%20Pro%20Championships%2C%20tennis&match=1 |access-date=16 January 2024 |work=The Los Angeles Times |publisher=newspapers.com |date=6 Mar 1968 |location=los Angeles, California |page=26 |language=en}} It began in March with the opening tournament held in São Paulo, Brazil that was won by Rod Laver and ended with the final tournament held in Lima, Peru in November that was won by Fred Stolle.

Legend

class="wikitable" style="font-size:85%; width:20%;"
style="background:#ffc;"

|Pro tour

{{Draw key}}

Calendar

This is the complete schedule of events on the 1968 National Tennis League, with player progression partially documented until the quarterfinals stage.

=January=

No events

=February=

No events

=March=

class="wikitable" style="font-size:85%;"
width="75"|Date

!width="230"|Tournament

!width="210"|Winner

!width="210"|Finalist

!width="170"|Semi Finalist

!width="170"|Quarter Finalist

valign=top

|rowspan=1|18 March

style="background:#ffc;" rowspan=1|São Paulo Pro Championships{{cite web|last1=Archives|first1=Tennis|title=Sao Paulo Pro Championships 1968|url=http://www.tennisarchives.com/voorloopfiche.php?wedstrijdvoorloopid=3000|website=www.tennisarchives.com|publisher=Tennis Archives, 2017|accessdate=30 September 2017|language=en}}
São Paulo, Brazil
Clay (i)
Singles		{{flagicon|AUS}} Rod Laver
7–5, 5–7, 6–4		{{flagicon|USA}} Pancho Gonzales
valign=top

|rowspan=1|23 March

style="background:#ffc;" rowspan=1|Buenos Aires Pro Championships{{cite web|last1=Archives|first1=Tennis|title=Buenos Aires Pro Championships 1968|url=http://www.tennisarchives.com/voorloopfiche.php?wedstrijdvoorloopid=3010|website=www.tennisarchives.com|publisher=Tennis Archives 2017|language=en|access-date=2017-09-30|archive-date=2016-12-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220220226/http://www.tennisarchives.com/voorloopfiche.php?wedstrijdvoorloopid=3010|url-status=dead}}
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Clay
Singles		{{flagicon|AUS}} Rod Laver
7–5, 5–7, 6–4		{{flagicon|USA}} Pancho Gonzales{{center|3rd Place}}{{flagicon|Spain|1945}} Andrés Gimeno {{center|4th Place}}{{flagicon|AUS}} Fred Stolle
valign=top

|rowspan=2|27 March

style="background:#ffc;" rowspan=2|NTL Bogotá Pro Championships{{cite web|last1=Archives|first1=Tennis|title=Bogota Pro Championships 1968|url=http://www.tennisarchives.com/voorloopfiche.php?wedstrijdvoorloopid=3013|website=tennisarchives.com|publisher=Tennis Archives 2017|accessdate=30 September 2017|language=en|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304083423/http://www.tennisarchives.com/voorloopfiche.php?wedstrijdvoorloopid=3013|url-status=dead}}
Bogotà, Colombia
Clay (i)
Singles - Doubles		{{flagicon|Spain|1945}} Andrés Gimeno
11–13, 6–3, 6–4		{{flagicon|AUS}} Fred Stollerowspan=2|{{center|3rd Place}}{{flagicon|AUS}} Rod Laver {{center|4th Place}}{{flagicon|USA}} Pancho Gonzales
valign=top

|{{flagicon|AUS}} Rod Laver
{{flagicon|AUS}} Fred Stolle
10–5

{{flagicon|Spain|1945}} Andrés Gimeno
{{flagicon|USA}} Pancho Gonzales

= April =

class="wikitable" style="font-size:85%;"
width="75"|Date

!width="230"|Tournament

!width="210"|Winner

!width="210"|Finalist

!width="170"|Semi Finalist

!width="170"|Quarter Finalist

valign=top

|rowspan=1|10 April

style="background:#ffc;" rowspan=1|NTL Hollywood Pro Challenge Cup{{cite web|url=https://app.thetennisbase.com/?enlace=tournament&accion=draw&cuadro=1&torneo=17497&nomTorneo=HOLLYWOOD%20PRO%20CH.&year=1968&cnt=&fase=&tipoTorneoTeam=#aki|title=Hollywood NTL 1968|publisher=thetennisbase|access-date=9 April 2021}}
Hollywood, United States
Clay
Singles		{{flagicon|AUS}} Roy Emerson
6–1, 6–1		{{flagicon|AUS}} Ken Rosewall{{center|3rd}} {{flagicon|USA}} Pancho Gonzales {{center|4th Place}} {{flagicon|AUS}} Rod Laver{{flagicon|RSA|1928}} John Hammill
{{flagicon|USA}} Crawford Henry
{{flagicon|CUB}} Rey Garrido
{{flagicon|AUS}} Peter Cawthorn
valign=top

|rowspan=1|18 April {{cite web|title=BBC2 PRO Tournament Draw|url=https://app.thetennisbase.com/?enlace=tournament&accion=draw&torneoSearchEnc=BBC2%20PRO&year=1968|website=thetennisbase.com|publisher=Tennis Base}}

style="background:#ffc;" rowspan=1|BBC2 World Pro Invitation Championships
Wembley, Great Britain
Carpet (i)
Singles		{{flagicon|AUS}} Rod Laver
6–3 10-8		{{flagicon|AUS}} Ken Rosewallrowspan=1|{{flagicon|AUS}} Roy Emerson
{{flagicon|USA}} Pancho Gonzales
valign=top

|rowspan=2|20 April

style="background:#ffc;" rowspan=2|NTL Paris Pro Championships{{cite web|last1=Archives|first1=Tennis|title=Paris Pro Championships 1968|url=http://www.tennisarchives.com/voorloopfiche.php?wedstrijdvoorloopid=3087|website=tennisarchives.com|publisher=Tennis Archives 2017|accessdate=30 September 2017|language=en|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304071954/http://www.tennisarchives.com/voorloopfiche.php?wedstrijdvoorloopid=3087|url-status=dead}}
Paris, France
Clay
Singles - Doubles		{{flagicon|AUS}} Ken Rosewall
6–3 6–4		{{flagicon|Spain|1938}} Andrés Gimenorowspan=2|{{flagicon|USA}} Pancho Gonzales
{{flagicon|AUS}} Rod Laver		rowspan=2|
{{flagicon|AUS}} Fred Stolle
{{flagicon|AUS}} Roy Emerson
valign=top

|

= May =

class="wikitable" style="font-size:85%;"
width="75"|Date

!width="230"|Tournament

!width="210"|Winner

!width="210"|Finalist

!width="170"|Semi Finalist

!width="170"|Quarter Finalist

valign=top

|rowspan=2|29 April-5 May {{cite web|title=NTL Wembley Invitation: Tournament Draw|url=https://app.thetennisbase.com/?enlace=tournament&accion=draw&torneoSearchEnc=NTL%20WEMBLEY%20INVITATION&year=1968|website=thetennisbase.com|publisher=Tennis Base|accessdate=8 October 2017}}

style="background:#ffc;" rowspan=2|NTL Wembley Invitation{{cite web|last1=Archives|first1=Tennis|title=Wembley Invitation 1968|url=http://www.tennisarchives.com/voorloopfiche.php?wedstrijdvoorloopid=3232|website=tennisarchives.com|publisher=Tennis Archives|accessdate=19 January 2024|language=en}}
Wembley, Great Britain
Wood (i)
Singles - Doubles		{{flagicon|AUS}} Rod Laver
6–0, 6–1, 6–0		{{flagicon|AUS}} Ken Rosewallrowspan=2|rowspan=2|
valign=top

| {{flagicon|AUS}} Rod Laver
{{flagicon|AUS}} Roy Emerson
12-10 6–4

{{flagicon|Spain|1938}} Andrés Gimeno
{{flagicon|USA}} Pancho Gonzales
valign=top

|rowspan=2|18 May

style="background:#ffc;" =2|NTL Madison Square Garden Pro Championships
New York City, United States
Carpet (i)
Singles - Doubles		{{flagicon|AUS}} Rod Laver
4–6, 6–3, 9–7, 6–4		{{flagicon|AUS}} Ken Rosewallrowspan=2| {{flagicon|AUS}} Roy Emerson
{{flagicon|Spain|1938}} Andrés Gimeno		rowspan=2| {{flagicon|AUS}} Lew Hoad
{{flagicon|USA}} Pancho Gonzales
{{flagicon|PER}} Alex Olmedo
{{flagicon|AUS}} Fred Stolle
valign=top

|

= June =

No events

=July =

class="wikitable" style="font-size:85%;"
width="75"|Date

!width="230"|Tournament

!width="210"|Winner

!width="210"|Finalist

!width="170"|Semi Finalist

!width="170"|Quarter Finalist

valign=top

|rowspan=2| 20 July

style="background:#ffc;" rowspan=2|NTL Los Angeles Pro Championships{{cite web|last1=Archives|first1=Tennis|title=Los Angeles Professional Championships 1968|url=http://www.tennisarchives.com/voorloopfiche.php?wedstrijdvoorloopid=14667|website=tennisarchives.com|publisher=Tennis Archives 2017|accessdate=30 September 2017|language=en}}
Los Angeles, United States
Carpet (i){{cite news | title=Gonzales whips Stolle | date=18 July 1968 | agency=Los Angeles Times | pages=Sports page 1}}
Singles - Doubles		{{flagicon|USA}} Pancho Gonzales
1–6 6–3 6–4		{{flagicon|AUS}} Rod Laverrowspan=2| {{flagicon|AUS}} Roy Emerson
{{flagicon|AUS}} Ken Rosewall		rowspan=2|
valign=top

|

=August=

class="wikitable" style="font-size:85%;"
width="75"|Date

!width="230"|Tournament

!width="210"|Winner

!width="210"|Finalist

!width="170"|Semi Finalist

!width="170"|Quarter Finalist

valign=top

|rowspan=2| 2 August

style="background:#ffc;" rowspan=2|NTL Oakland Pro Championships{{cite web|last1=Archives|first1=Tennis|title=Oakland Pros 1968|url=http://www.tennisarchives.com/voorloopfiche.php?wedstrijdvoorloopid=14668|website=tennisarchives.com|publisher=Tennis Archives 2017|accessdate=30 September 2017|language=en}}
Oakland Coliseum Arena
Oakland, United States
Carpet (i)
Singles - Doubles		{{flagicon|AUS}} Fred Stolle
7–5, 6–3		{{flagicon|USA}} Pancho Gonzalesrowspan=2|{{flagicon|AUS}} Roy Emersonrowspan=2|
valign=top

|

valign=top

|rowspan=2|11 August

style="background:#ffc;" rowspan=2|NTL Masters Championships{{cite book |last1=McCauley |first1=Joe |title=The History of Professional Tennis |date=2003 |publisher=, Short Run Book Company |location=Windsor, Berkshire, England |asin=B001EOVE56 |pages=252, 253}}
Highland Racquet & Riding Club
Binghamton, United States
Carpet (i)
Singles - Doubles		{{flagicon|ESP}} Andrés Gimeno
6–4, 6–1		{{flagicon|AUS}} Fred Stollerowspan=2|{{flagicon|AUS}} Roy Emerson
{{flagicon|AUS}} Rod Laver		rowspan=2|
valign=top

|

valign=top

|rowspan=2|18 August

style="background:#ffc;" rowspan=2|NTL Colonial Pro Championships{{cite book |last1=McCauley |first1=Joe |title=The History of Professional Tennis |date=2003 |publisher=, Short Run Book Company |location=Windsor, Berkshire, England |asin=B001EOVE56 |page=253}}
Highland Racquet & Riding Club
Fort Worth, United States
Singles - Doubles		{{flagicon|AUS}} Ken Rosewall
6–4, 6–2		{{flagicon|ESP}} Andrés Gimenorowspan=2| {{flagicon|AUS}} Mal Anderson
{{flagicon|AUS}} Fred Stolle		rowspan=2| {{flagicon|USA}} Tut Bartzen
{{flagicon|AUS}} Roy Emerson
{{flagicon|USA}} Pancho Gonzales
{{flagicon|AUS}} Rod Laver
valign=top

|

valign=top

=September=

No events

=October=

No events

class="wikitable" style="font-size:85%;"
width="75"|Date

!width="230"|Tournament

!width="210"|Winner

!width="210"|Finalist

!width="170"|Semi Finalist

!width="170"|Quarter Finalist

valign=top

|rowspan=2|28 Sep - 1 Oct

style="background:#ffc;" rowspan=2|NTL Midland Championships{{cite book |last1=Collins |first1=Bud |last2=Trabert |first2=Tony |editor1-last=McCauley |editor1-first=Joe |title=THE HISTORY OF PROFESSIONAL TENNIS |date=2000 |publisher=The Short Run Book Company Ltd |location=Windsor, England |page=253 |chapter=1968 Results}}
Midland, Texas, United States
Singles - Doubles		{{flagicon|USA}} Pancho Gonzales
7–5, 6–3		{{flagicon|AUS}} Roy Emersonrowspan=2|{{flagicon|ESP}} Andrés Gimeno
{{flagicon|AUS}} Rod Laver		rowspan=2|{{flagicon|USA}} Pancho Segura
{{flagicon|AUS}} Fred Stolle
valign=top

|

valign=top

|rowspan=2|4 - 7 Oct

style="background:#ffc;" rowspan=2|NTL South Texas Pro Championships{{cite book |last1=Collins |first1=Bud |last2=Trabert |first2=Tony |editor1-last=McCauley |editor1-first=Joe |title=THE HISTORY OF PROFESSIONAL TENNIS |date=2000 |publisher=The Short Run Book Company Ltd |location=Windsor, England |page=253 |chapter=1968 Results}}
Corpus Christi, United States
Singles - Doubles		{{flagicon|AUS}} Rod Laver
6–2, 6–4		{{flagicon|ESP}} Andrés Gimenorowspan=2|{{flagicon|AUS}} Roy Emerson
{{flagicon|AUS}} Fred Stolle		rowspan=2|{{flagicon|USA}} Pancho Gonzales
{{flagicon|USA}} Pancho Segura
valign=top

|

valign=top

=November=

class="wikitable" style="font-size:85%;"
width="75"|Date

!width="230"|Tournament

!width="210"|Winner

!width="210"|Finalist

!width="170"|Semi Finalist

!width="170"|Quarter Finalist

valign=top

|rowspan=1|1-3 November{{cite web|title=NTL LIMA PRO CH. Tournament Roll of honour|url=https://app.thetennisbase.com/?enlace=tournament&accion=honour&pais=PER&nomTorneo=NTL+LIMA+PRO+CH.&descPais=PERU&codpais=PER&stats=NTL+LIMA+PRO+CH.#datosDraw|website=thetennisbase.com|publisher=The Tennis Base|accessdate=8 October 2017}}

style="background:#ffc;" rowspan=1|NTL Lima Pro Championships
Lima, Peru
Clay
Singles		{{flagicon|AUS}} Fred Stolle
3-0 matches		{{center|Round Robin}} {{flagicon|Spain|1938}} Andrés Gimeno
{{flagicon|AUS}} Rod Laver
{{flagicon|AUS}} Roy Emerson		rowspan=1|
valign=top

|

valign=top

|rowspan=1|6 November{{cite web|title=Tournaments: La Paz Round Robin Championships |url=https://thetennisbase.com/tournaments/ |website=The Tennis Base |publisher=Tennismem SL |location= Madrid, Spain |access-date=21 January 2024|url-access=subscription}}

style="background:#ffc;" rowspan=1|NTL La Paz Pro Round Robin
La Paz, Bolivia
Clay
Singles		{{flagicon|AUS}} Rod Laver
3-0 matches		{{center|Round Robin}} {{flagicon|Spain|1945}} Andrés Gimeno
{{flagicon|AUS}} Fred Stolle
{{flagicon|AUS}} Roy Emerson		rowspan=2|
valign=top

|

valign=top

|rowspan=1|8 November{{cite web|title=SAO PAULO PRO Tournament Roll of honour|url=https://app.thetennisbase.com/?enlace=tournament&accion=honour&pais=BRA&nomTorneo=SAO+PAULO+PRO&descPais=BRAZIL&codpais=BRA&stats=SAO+PAULO+PRO#datosDraw|website=thetennisbase.com|publisher=Tennis Base|accessdate=8 October 2017}}

style="background:#ffc;" rowspan=1|São Paulo Pro Championships
São Paulo, Brazil
Clay (i)
Singles		{{flagicon|AUS}} Rod Laver
3-0 matches		{{center|Round Robin}} {{flagicon|Spain|1945}} Andrés Gimeno
{{flagicon|AUS}} Fred Stolle
{{flagicon|AUS}} Roy Emerson		rowspan=2|rowspan=2|
valign=top

|

valign=top

|rowspan=1|7 -10 Nov

style="background:#ffc;" rowspan=1|NTL French Tour{{cite book |last1=Collins |first1=Bud |last2=Trabert |first2=Tony |editor1-last=McCauley |editor1-first=Joe |title=THE HISTORY OF PROFESSIONAL TENNIS |date=2000 |publisher=The Short Run Book Company Ltd |location=Windsor, England |page=255 |chapter=1968 Results}}
Lyon & Marseille, France
Clay
Singles		{{flagicon|AUS}} Ken Rosewall
(won Lyon event)
{{flagicon|USA}} Pancho Gonzales
(won Marseille event)
joint 1st
valign=top

|

valign=top

=December=

No events

Prize money

=Men's=

class="wikitable"

|+ NTL OFFICIAL EARNINGS FOR 1968{{cite book |last1=McCauley |first1=Joe |title=The History of Professional Tennis |date=2003 |publisher=, Short Run Book Company |location=Windsor, Berkshire, England |asin=B001EOVE56 |page=255}}

#Player$US
1{{flagicon|AUS}} Rod Laver70,359
2{{flagicon|AUS}} Ken Rosewall61,307
3{{flagicon|USA}} Pancho Gonzales38,987
4{{flagicon|Spain|1945}} Andrés Gimeno36,524
5{{flagicon|AUS}} Roy Emerson35,188
6{{flagicon|AUS}} Fred Stolle34,335

References

{{Reflist|30em}}

Sources

  • {{cite book|last1=McCauley|first1=Joe|last2=Trabert|first2=Tony|last3=Collins|first3=Bud|title=The History of Professional Tennis|date=2000|publisher=The Short Run Book Company Limited. Exeter. England|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B001EOVE56/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A1EN5S1DHIFASH}}
  • Robertson, Max (1974). Encyclopaedia of Tennis. Allen & Unwin. {{ISBN|9780047960420}}.

External links

{{Men's tennis seasons|state=collapsed}}

Category:1968 National Tennis League

1968 Men's National Tennis League