In August 1967 the charismatic partnership of Andrés Gimeno and Pancho Gonzales walked on to Wimbledon’s Centre Court to contest an epoch- making doubles final against their fellow professionals Rod Laver and Fred Stolle. Watched by a packed crowd and millions of television viewers, Gimeno and Gonzales squeaked through a thrilling battle to take the first Wimbledon World Professional Lawn Tennis Doubles Championship.
Due to this match and the equally hard-fought singles final in which Laver beat his great rival Ken Rosewall — in contrast to the lacklustre amateur Wimbledon final between John Newcombe and Wilhelm Bungert weeks earlier — the All England Club proposed a sensational break with tradition; the 1968 championships would be open to amateurs and professionals, if the Lawn Tennis Association