IT’S 50 years since the first true tennis tournament in the modern game took place at Bournemouth’s West Hants Club, where amateurs and professionals were allowed to play together for the first time.

To celebrate the anniversary British tennis giant Tim Henman will make his first appearance at the club to play an exhibition match against Mark Cox on April 29.

The change came about after Derek Penman, then chair of the British LTA, helped facilitate the first-ever Open Era tournament, played at West Hants Club on April 22 1968.

Chief executive, Peter Elviss said: “Before our Open Era tournament, if you turned professional you were banned from major competitions – including Wimbledon.”

This, he said, lead to what was known as ‘shamateurism’ where many amateurs received cash anyway.

After lobbying – and common sense – broke through, the first Open Era tournament was played at what was then a Hampshire club, with the winning man receiving £1,000 and the female champion, £300. “Prize money is equal now,” said Mr Elviss.

The men’s tournament was won by Australian Ken Rosewall and the women’s by one Virginia Wade, giving a glimpse of the grit she would use, nine years later, when winning Wimbledon.

However, the crowd were also able to see another Aussie legend, Rod Laver, and an ambitious young player who dropped out in the first round but went on to find fame and fortune on the Welsh rugby field. “JPR Williams was a fine tennis player but, it turned out, an even finer full-back!” said Mr Elviss.

He said that the original competition put the West Hants Club firmly on the tennis map. “We have seen so many of the biggest names play here,” he said, citing appearances by Brazilian star Maria Bueno, Fred Perry, Ille Nastase and Evonne Goolagong.

Along with the exhibition match, there will be tennis clinics and memorabilia on April 29, plus some tickets available to the public. For more information contact westhants.co.uk.