Tennis-Former champions saluted on 40th anniversary of Open era

By Larry Fine

NEW YORK, Aug 25 (Reuters) - Twenty-four former champions -- from Rod Laver to Roger Federer and Virginia Wade to Maria Sharapova -- launched opening night at the U.S. Open on Monday to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the professional era.

In 1968, Arthur Ashe became the first African-American man to win a grand slam title when he triumphed at the first U.S. Open at Forest Hills while Wade raised the women's trophy and pocketed the tournament's first prize money as champion.

Also gracing the Arthur Ashe Stadium court were the likes of John Newcombe and John McEnroe on the men's side, and Billie Jean King, Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova among women who triumphed after professionals were allowed to play the grand slam events four decades ago.

McEnroe, the tempestuous local hero who won four Opens, and four-times defending champion Federer drew the loudest roars from the crowd.

A festive programme full of music from gospel singers to period band Earth, Wind and Fire livened up the "Showtime" opening and the band serenaded the champions with their hit, "Shining Star."

A montage of great moments played on the jumbo television screen, along with excerpts from an interview with Ashe, who talked about the political upheaval of the times, from U.S. race riots in the cities, to Vietnam War protest and the assassinations of Dr. Martin Luther King and Bobby Kennedy.

"You didn't get five minutes to breathe," said Ashe, who died in 1993 at age 49 from AIDS after contracting HIV during blood transfusions for a heart surgery.

"This was the first U.S. Open. It was a very good time for something positive to happen in the sports world."