The 1970 US Open tennis tournament, held from September 2 to September 13, 1970, at the West Side Tennis Club in Forest Hills, Queens, New York City, marked a significant moment in tennis history. As the 90th staging of the US Open and the fourth Grand Slam event of 1970, it introduced several groundbreaking changes and witnessed remarkable achievements. This tournament is particularly remembered for being the first Grand Slam to implement a tiebreaker
system and for Margaret Court's historic completion of the Grand Slam in singles.
The Dawn of the Tiebreaker
One of the most notable innovations at the 1970 US Open was the introduction of the tiebreaker. This marked the first time a Grand Slam tournament used a tiebreaker to decide a set when the score reached 6–6. The specific format used was a final set tie-break, which differed from the current scoring system. In 1970, the tiebreaker was won by the first player to reach five points, with a sudden death rule at 4–4. To alert fans to the excitement of a tiebreaker in progress, a red flag was placed by the umpire's seat.
While this new rule was a hit with spectators, many players initially expressed disapproval. Despite the players' reservations, the tiebreaker became a permanent fixture in tennis, evolving over time. From 1970 through 1974, the US Open continued to use this best-of-nine-point sudden-death tiebreaker before transitioning to the International Tennis Federation's best-of-twelve points system. The US Open was also the first Grand Slam to feature a fifth-set tie-break, further cementing its role as an innovator in tennis rules.
Margaret Court's Historic Grand Slam
The 1970 US Open was a monumental event for Australian tennis legend Margaret Court. She successfully defended her title, defeating Rosie Casals in the women's singles final with a score of 6–2, 2–6, 6–1. This victory was not just another championship for Court; it allowed her to complete the Grand Slam in singles, making her the first woman in the Open Era to achieve this extraordinary feat. Her win at Forest Hills secured her fourth US singles title and her record 20th major singles title, surpassing Helen Wills' all-time tally.
Court's achievement underscored her dominance in women's tennis during this period. The Grand Slam, which involves winning all four major tennis tournaments (the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open) in a single calendar year, is one of the most challenging accomplishments in the sport. Her success at the 1970 US Open solidified her place in history as one of the greatest tennis players of all time, marking a significant milestone for both her career and the Open Era of tennis.
Men's Singles Champion and Tournament Details
In the men's singles final, another Australian, Ken Rosewall, emerged victorious. He defeated his compatriot Tony Roche in a hard-fought match with a score of 2–6, 6–4, 7–6(5–2), 6–3. Rosewall's win added to the Australian success at the tournament, which also saw Australian players feature prominently in the doubles categories. The men's doubles title was won by Pierre Barthès of France and Nikola Pilić of Yugoslavia, while Margaret Court teamed up with Judy Tegart-Dalton of Australia to win the women's doubles. Court also secured the mixed doubles title with American Marty Riessen, showcasing her versatility and dominance across multiple events.
The tournament was held on outdoor grass courts, a surface that was common for the US Open at the time. The West Side Tennis Club in Forest Hills served as the venue, hosting an attendance of 122,996 spectators over the course of the event. The 1970 US Open, with its blend of historical firsts and remarkable athletic achievements, remains a memorable chapter in the annals of professional tennis.
