1968 Davis Cup

1968 Davis Cup
Details
Duration	20 March – 28 December 1968
Edition	57th
Teams	49
Champion
Winning Nation	United States
	← 1967 1969 →

Last updated April 19, 2024

The 1968 Davis Cup was the 57th edition of the Davis Cup, the most important tournament between national teams in men's tennis. 32 teams entered the Europe Zone, 9 teams entered the Americas Zone, and 8 teams entered the Eastern Zone. Peru made its first appearance in the tournament, having previously entered on 3 occasions before subsequently withdrawing before competing in a tie.

In the Inter-Zonal Zone, the United States defeated Spain and India defeated West Germany in the semifinals, and then the United States defeated India in the final. The United States then defeated the defending champions Australia in the Challenge Round, ending Australia's four-year title run. The final was played at Memorial Drive Park in Adelaide, Australia on 26–28 December.^[1]^[2]^[3]

Incidents

In what became known as the Båstad riots, the Europe Zone first-round tie between Sweden and Rhodesia, planned to be held in Båstad, Sweden, caused widespread disruption as demonstrators protested the participation of both Rhodesia and South Africa in the tournament. Both countries had been banned from competing in other sports competitions due to their apartheid and white minority rule policies.

Following discussions between the Swedish government and demonstrators, the International Tennis Federation and Swedish Tennis Federation decided to move the tie to a neutral location in Bandol, France.^[4]^[5]

Americas Zone

North & Central America Zone


Semifinals 3–13 May		Final 24–26 May

Richmond, VA, United States (hard)

United States	5
		Berkeley, CA, United States (hard)
Caribbean/West Indies	0
		United States	5
Mexico City, Mexico (clay)
		Mexico	0
Canada	0

Mexico	5

South America Zone

Quarterfinals
27–29 April

Semifinals
29–31 March; 11–13 May

Final
24–27 May

Caracas, Venezuela

Venezuela

3

Caracas, Venezuela (hard)

Argentina

2

Venezuela

0

Ecuador

3

Ecuador

Guayaquil, Ecuador (clay)

bye

Ecuador

3

Chile

1

bye

Lima, Peru

Peru

0

Chile

5

bye

Chile

Americas Inter-Zonal Final

United States vs. Ecuador

United States
5

Charlotte Coliseum, Charlotte, NC, United States ^[6]
7–9 June 1968
Carpet (indoor)

Ecuador
0

		1	2	3	4
1	Arthur Ashe Pancho Guzmán	6 3	6 3	6 2
2	Clark Graebner Miguel Olvera	6 2	6 1	6 2
3	Clark Graebner / Bob Lutz Pancho Guzmán / Miguel Olvera	6 3	6 2	7 5
4	Clark Graebner Pancho Guzmán	4 6	6 3	6 4	6 4
5	Arthur Ashe Miguel Olvera	6 1	6 3	6 0

Eastern Zone

Zone A

Quarterfinals

Semifinals
23–25 March; 26–28 April

Final
10–12 May

Indonesia

w/o

Manila, Philippines

South Vietnam

Indonesia

1

Philippines

4

Philippines

Tokyo, Japan

bye

Philippines

1

Japan

4

bye

Tokyo, Japan

South Korea

0

Japan

5

bye

Japan

Zone B


Semifinals 20–22 March		Final 26–28 April

Colombo, Ceylon (clay)

Malaysia	1
		Guwahati, India
Ceylon	4
		Ceylon	2

		India	3
bye

India

Eastern Inter-Zonal Final

Japan vs. India

Japan
1

Tokyo, Japan ^[7]
21–23 September 1968

India
4

		1	2	3	4	5
1	Keishiro Yanagi Premjit Lall	2 6	4 6	3 6
2	Koji Watanabe Ramanathan Krishnan	2 6	6 3	3 6	2 6
3	Isao Watanabe / Koji Watanabe Ramanathan Krishnan / Jaidip Mukerjea	2 6	2 6	7 5	6 1	0 6
4	Keishiro Yanagi Ramanathan Krishnan	4 6	3 6	1 6
5	Koji Watanabe Premjit Lall	8 6	6 1	6 2

Europe Zone

Zone A

First Round
26 April–7 May

Quarterfinals
23–26 May

Semifinals
13–16 June

Final
19–21 July

Valencia, Spain (clay)

Spain

3

Barcelona, Spain (clay)

Netherlands

2

Spain

4

Bandol, France (hard)

Sweden

1

Sweden

4

Barcelona, Spain (clay)

Rhodesia

1

Spain

4

Bournemouth, England (clay)

Great Britain

1

Great Britain

3

London, England (grass)

France

0

Great Britain

5

Helsinki, Finland (clay)

Finland

0

Finland

4

Barcelona, Spain (clay)

Portugal

1

Spain

3

Tbilisi, Soviet Union

Italy

2

Soviet Union

4

Moscow, Soviet Union

Greece

1

Soviet Union

5

Zagreb, Yugoslavia

Yugoslavia

0

Yugoslavia

4

Reggio Emilia, Italy (clay)

New Zealand

0

Soviet Union

2

Cagliari, Italy (clay)

Italy

3

Italy

5

Biella, Italy (clay)

Hungary

0

Italy

5

Monte Carlo, Monaco

Monaco

0

Monaco

3

Ireland

1

Zone A Final

Spain vs. Italy

Spain
3

Real Club de Tenis, Barcelona, Spain ^[8]
19–21 July 1968
Clay

Italy
2

		1	2	3	4	5
1	Juan Gisbert Martin Mulligan	6 4	2 6	6 2	6 4
2	Manuel Santana Nicola Pietrangeli	6 3	3 6	4 6	6 4	6 2
3	José Luis Arilla / Manuel Orantes Martin Mulligan / Nicola Pietrangeli	5 7	2 6	6 3	3 6
4	Juan Gisbert Nicola Pietrangeli	8 6	6 4	6 2
5	Manuel Orantes Martin Mulligan	6 4	6 4	5 7	3 6	4 4

Zone B

First Round
28 April–6 May

Quarterfinals
17–26 May

Semifinals
14–16 June

Final
19–21 July

Sofia, Bulgaria

Bulgaria

5

Sofia, Bulgaria

Turkey

0

Bulgaria

0

Freiburg, West Germany

West Germany

5

Switzerland

1

Munich, West Germany (clay)

West Germany

4

West Germany

4

Brussels, Belgium

Czechoslovakia

1

Belgium

3

Brussels, Belgium (clay)

Poland

2

Belgium

2

Prague, Czechoslovakia (clay)

Czechoslovakia

3

Czechoslovakia

3

Düsseldorf, West Germany

Brazil

2

West Germany

3

Luxembourg, Luxembourg (clay)

South Africa

2

Luxembourg

1

Oslo, Norway (clay)

Norway

4

Norway

0

Bucharest, Romania (clay)

Romania

5

Romania

4

Denmark

1

Romania

Tehran, Iran

South Africa

w/o

Iran

4

Tehran, Iran

Israel

1

Iran

0

Linz, Austria

South Africa

5

Austria

0

South Africa

5

Zone B Final

West Germany vs. South Africa

West Germany
3

Düsseldorf, West Germany ^[9]
19–21 July 1968

South Africa
2

		1	2	3	4	5
1	Wilhelm Bungert Bob Hewitt	9 7	7 5	7 5
2	Ingo Buding Ray Moore	6 3	4 6	10 8	6 8	6 4
3	Ingo Buding / Jürgen Fassbender Bob Hewitt / Frew McMillan	4 6	2 6	4 6
4	Wilhelm Bungert Ray Moore	6 1	6 1	6 1
5	Ingo Buding Bob Hewitt	5 7	2 6	6 2	3 6

Inter-Zonal Zone

Draw


Semifinals 14–16 August; 4–6 October			Final 9–11 November

Munich, West Germany

EUR-B	West Germany	2
			San Juan, PR (hard)
EAS	India	3
			EAS	India	1
Cleveland, OH, United States (hard)
			AME	United States	4
AME	United States	4

EUR-A	Spain	1

Semifinals

West Germany vs. India

West Germany
2

Munich, West Germany ^[10]
4–6 October 1968

India
3

		1	2	3	4
1	Ingo Buding Premjit Lall	6 2	2 6	3 6	4 6
2	Wilhelm Bungert Ramanathan Krishnan	4 6	6 0	8 6	7 5
3	Wilhelm Bungert / Jürgen Fassbender Ramanathan Krishnan / Jaidip Mukerjea	2 6	2 6	3 6
4	Ingo Buding Ramanathan Krishnan	2 6	5 7	2 6
5	Wilhelm Bungert Premjit Lall	6 1	4 6	6 4	6 3

United States vs. Spain

United States
4

Harold Clark Courts, Cleveland, OH, United States ^[11]
16–19 August 1968
Hard

Spain
1

		1	2	3	4	5
1	Clark Graebner Manuel Santana	2 6	3 6	3 6
2	Arthur Ashe Juan Gisbert	6 2	6 4	6 2
3	Clark Graebner / Charlie Pasarell Juan Gisbert / Manuel Santana	11 13	17 15	7 5	6 2
4	Clark Graebner Juan Gisbert	9 7	6 3	6 1
5	Arthur Ashe Manuel Santana	11 13	7 5	6 3	13 15	6 4

Final

United States vs. India

United States
4

Caribe Hilton Hotel, San Juan, Puerto Rico ^[12]
9–11 November 1968
Hard

India
1

		1	2	3	4
1	Arthur Ashe Premjit Lall	6 2	5 7	6 2	6 4
2	Clark Graebner Ramanathan Krishnan	5 7	6 4	2 6	1 6
3	Bob Lutz / Stan Smith Ramanathan Krishnan / Jaidip Mukerjea	6 2	6 3	6 2
4	Arthur Ashe Ramanathan Krishnan	6 1	6 3	6 3
5	Clark Graebner Premjit Lall	9 11	9 7	7 5	6 4

Challenge Round

Australia vs. United States

Australia
1

Memorial Drive Park, Adelaide, Australia ^[3]
26–28 December 1968
Grass

United States
4

		1	2	3	4	5
1	Bill Bowrey Clark Graebner	10 8	4 6	6 8	6 3	1 6
2	Ray Ruffels Arthur Ashe	8 6	5 7	3 6	3 6
3	John Alexander / Ray Ruffels Bob Lutz / Stan Smith	4 6	4 6	2 6
4	Ray Ruffels Clark Graebner	6 3	6 8	6 2	3 6	1 6
5	Bill Bowrey Arthur Ashe	2 6	6 3	11 9	8 6

Related Research Articles

The 1951 Davis Cup was the 40th edition of the most important tournament between national teams in men's tennis. 21 teams entered the Europe Zone, and 5 teams entered the America Zone. The Europe Zone began using a seeding system, where the previous year's quarterfinalists were guaranteed a bye in the first round.

The 1953 Davis Cup was the 42nd edition of the Davis Cup, the most important tournament between national teams in men's tennis. 24 teams entered the Europe Zone, 6 teams entered the America Zone, and India was the sole competitor in the Eastern Zone. This year saw the first appearances in the competition of both Ceylon and a team representing the West Indies. For the first time play took place on the African continent, when the first-round Europe Zone tie between Egypt and Austria was held in Cairo.

The 1956 Davis Cup was the 45th edition of the Davis Cup, the most important tournament between national teams in men's tennis. 24 teams entered the Europe Zone, 5 teams entered the America Zone, and 3 teams entered the Eastern Zone.

The 1959 Davis Cup was the 48th edition of the Davis Cup, the most important tournament between national teams in men's tennis. 27 teams entered the Europe Zone, 8 teams entered the Eastern Zone, and 7 teams entered the America Zone. The Europe Zone was modified so that only the previous year's semifinalists were guaranteed first round byes, allowing more countries to compete. Colombia made its first appearance in the tournament.

The 1960 Davis Cup was the 49th edition of the Davis Cup, the most important tournament between national teams in men's tennis. 28 teams entered the Europe Zone, 6 teams entered the America Zone, and 6 teams entered the Eastern Zone. South Korea made its first appearance in the tournament.

The 1961 Davis Cup was the 50th edition of the Davis Cup, the most important tournament between national teams in men's tennis. 28 teams entered the Europe Zone, 7 teams entered the Americas Zone, and 7 teams entered the Eastern Zone. Ecuador, Indonesia and Morocco made their first appearances in the tournament.

The 1963 Davis Cup was the 52nd edition of the Davis Cup, the most important tournament between national teams in men's tennis. 32 teams entered the Europe Zone, 9 teams entered the Eastern Zone, and 7 teams entered the America Zone. Rhodesia made its first appearance in the tournament.

The 1964 Davis Cup was the 53rd edition of the Davis Cup, the most important tournament between national teams in men's tennis. 32 teams entered the Europe Zone, 10 teams entered the Eastern Zone, and 7 teams entered the America Zone. Bulgaria and South Vietnam made their first appearances in the tournament.

The 1965 Davis Cup was the 54th edition of the Davis Cup, the most important tournament between national teams in men's tennis. 31 teams entered the Europe Zone, 9 teams entered the Eastern Zone, and 5 teams entered the America Zone.

The 1966 Davis Cup was the 55th edition of the Davis Cup, the most important tournament between national teams in men's tennis. 32 teams entered the Europe Zone, 8 teams entered the Eastern Zone, and 6 teams entered the America Zone.

The 1967 Davis Cup was the 56th edition of the Davis Cup, the most important tournament between national teams in men's tennis. 32 teams entered the Europe Zone, 9 teams entered the Eastern Zone, and 7 teams entered the America Zone.

The 1969 Davis Cup was the 58th edition of the Davis Cup, the most important tournament between national teams in men's tennis. 32 teams entered the Europe Zone, 9 teams entered the Americas Zone, and 8 teams entered the Eastern Zone.

The 1970 Davis Cup was the 59th edition of the Davis Cup, the most important tournament between national teams in men's tennis. 31 teams entered the Europe Zone, 11 teams entered the Americas Zone, and 11 teams entered the Eastern Zone. Hong Kong made its first appearance in the tournament.

The 1971 Davis Cup was the 60th edition of the Davis Cup, the most important tournament between national teams in men's tennis. 28 teams entered the Europe Zone, 13 teams entered the Americas Zone, and 9 teams entered the Eastern Zone. Bolivia made its first appearance in the tournament.

The 1972 Davis Cup was the 61st edition of the Davis Cup, the most important tournament between national teams in men's tennis. 55 teams would enter the competition, 33 in the Europe Zone, 11 in the Americas Zone, and 11 in the Eastern Zone.

The 1975 Davis Cup was the 64th edition of the Davis Cup, the most important tournament between national teams in men's tennis. 55 teams would enter the competition, 32 in the Europe Zone, 12 in the Americas Zone, and 11 in the Eastern Zone. Kenya made its first appearance in the tournament.

The 1977 Davis Cup was the 66th edition of the Davis Cup, the most important tournament between national teams in men's tennis. 59 teams would enter the competition, 33 in the Europe Zone, 14 in the Americas Zone, and 12 in the Eastern Zone. Algeria made its first appearance in the tournament.

The 1978 Davis Cup was the 67th edition of the Davis Cup, the most important tournament between national teams in men's tennis. 50 teams entered the competition, 29 in the Europe Zone, 10 in the Americas Zone, and 11 in the Eastern Zone.

The 1979 Davis Cup was the 68th edition of the Davis Cup, the most important tournament between national teams in men's tennis. 52 teams would enter the competition, 29 in the Europe Zone, 13 in the Americas Zone, and 10 in the Eastern Zone.

The Europe Zone was one of the three regional zones of the 1977 Davis Cup.

References

↑ Bud Collins (2010). The Bud Collins History of Tennis (2nd ed.). [New York]: New Chapter Press. pp. 495–496, 499. ISBN 978-0942257700.
↑ Max Robertson (1974). The Encyclopedia of Tennis. London: Allen & Unwin. p. 384. ISBN 0047960426.
1 2 "Australia v United States". daviscup.com.
↑ Wijk, Johnny (2009-03-07). "Idrotten tjänar på de politiska aktionerna". Dagens Nyheter (in Swedish). Retrieved 2012-06-26.
↑ "Chile waits for Cup decision". Eugene Register-Guard . Associated Press. 12 September 1975. Retrieved 7 May 2019. Seven years ago, the Swedish Tennis Federation was forced to move a Davis Cup match between Sweden and white-ruled Rhodesia to southern France after demonstrators had clashed with police outside Baastad's tennis stadium.
↑ "United States v Ecuador". daviscup.com.
↑ "Japan v India". daviscup.com.
↑ "Spain v Italy". daviscup.com.
↑ "West Germany v South Africa". daviscup.com.
↑ "West Germany v India". daviscup.com.
↑ "United States v Spain". daviscup.com.
↑ "United States v India". daviscup.com.

External links

Davis Cup Official Website

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.

[Collins-1] Bud Collins (2010). The Bud Collins History of Tennis (2nd ed.). [New York]: New Chapter Press. pp. 495–496, 499. ISBN 978-0942257700.

[2] Max Robertson (1974). The Encyclopedia of Tennis. London: Allen & Unwin. p. 384. ISBN 0047960426.

[Challenge-3] 1 2 "Australia v United States". daviscup.com.

[4] Wijk, Johnny (2009-03-07). "Idrotten tjänar på de politiska aktionerna". Dagens Nyheter (in Swedish). Retrieved 2012-06-26.

[5] "Chile waits for Cup decision". Eugene Register-Guard . Associated Press. 12 September 1975. Retrieved 7 May 2019. Seven years ago, the Swedish Tennis Federation was forced to move a Davis Cup match between Sweden and white-ruled Rhodesia to southern France after demonstrators had clashed with police outside Baastad's tennis stadium.

[6] "United States v Ecuador". daviscup.com.

[7] "Japan v India". daviscup.com.

[8] "Spain v Italy". daviscup.com.

[9] "West Germany v South Africa". daviscup.com.

[10] "West Germany v India". daviscup.com.

[11] "United States v Spain". daviscup.com.

[12] "United States v India". daviscup.com.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

v t e Davis Cup
Current champions (2023): Italy
Editions	1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 1909 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020–21 2022 2023 2024
World Groups / Finals	1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020–21 2022 2023
World Groups play-offs	1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
Qualifying rounds	2019 2020–21 2022 2023 2024
2023 Davis Cup Finals teams	Australia Canada Chile Croatia Czech Republic Finland France Great Britain Italy Netherlands Serbia South Korea Spain Sweden Switzerland United States
Former World Group / Finals teams	Argentina Austria Belgium Brazil Belarus Colombia Cuba Czechoslovakia Denmark Ecuador Germany Hungary India Indonesia Ireland Israel Japan Kazakhstan Mexico Morocco New Zealand Paraguay Peru Poland Romania Russia Slovakia South Africa Yugoslavia Zimbabwe
Players	American Argentine Australian Austrian Belarusian Belgian Brazilian British Canadian Chilean Croatian Cuban Czech Czechoslovak Danish Dutch Ecuadorian Finnish French German Hungarian Indian Indonesian Irish Israeli Italian Japanese Kazakhstani Korean Kosovar Mexican Montenegrin Moroccan New Zealand Peruvian Polish Portuguese Romanian Russian Serbian Slovakian South African Soviet Spanish Swedish Swiss Yugoslavian Zimbabwean
List of champions Winning players

v t e 1968 in tennis
Grand Slam	Australian Championships French Open Wimbledon Championships US Open
National teams	Davis Cup Federation Cup Wightman Cup

1968 Davis Cup

Contents

Incidents

Americas Zone

North & Central America Zone

South America Zone

Americas Inter-Zonal Final

Eastern Zone

Zone A

Zone B

Eastern Inter-Zonal Final

Europe Zone

Zone A

Zone A Final

Zone B

Zone B Final

Inter-Zonal Zone

Draw

Semifinals

Final

Challenge Round

See also

Related Research Articles

References

External links