The tennis world is preparing to celebrate a landmark occasion in sporting history – the start of the Open era.

June 9 marks 50 years since two of our greatest tennis stars Ken Rosewall and Rod Laver walked onto centre court at Roland Garros for the inaugural Open.

It was the first tournament where previously banned professional players were allowed to join the amateurs for a combined world tour.

Ken tells Alan Jones the game is very different to what it was 50 years ago.

“The events were not as well publicized and promoted, but then, amateur tennis was the name of the game.”

Ken is in France for the French Open, for the first time in 20 years, as a guest of the French Tennis Federation.

He will present the trophy to the men’s singles champion.

Click PLAY below for the full interview

Image: Tennis.com.au