1977 WTA Tour

Wikipedia

1977 WTA Tour
Chris Evert finished the year as world No. 1 for the third time in her career. She won twelve singles tournaments during the season, including a major at the US Open, as well as the Virginia Slims Championships.
Details
Duration17 October 1976 – 28 November 1977
Edition5th
Tournaments49
CategoriesGrand Slam (4)
WTA championships (3)
Virginia Slims Circuit (11)
Colgate International Series (18)
Achievements (singles)
Most titlesUnited States Chris Evert (12)
Most finalsUnited States Chris Evert (14)
Prize money
leader
United States Chris Evert ($503,134)
Points leaderUnited States Chris Evert (17.612)
Awards
Player of the yearUnited Kingdom Virginia Wade
Doubles team
of the year
United States Martina Navratilova
Netherlands Betty Stöve
Most improved
player of the year
Australia Wendy Turnbull
Newcomer
of the year
United States Tracy Austin
1976
1978

The 1977 WTA Tour consisted of a number of tennis tournaments for female tennis players. It was composed of two circuits the newly streamlined version of the Virginia Slims Circuit (which was now an 11-week tour of the US) and the world wide Colgate International Series. The year 1977 also saw the creation of the first official ranking system and these rankings were used to determine acceptance into the tournaments.[1][2]

Schedule

This is a calendar of all events which were part of either the Virginia Slims circuit or the Colgate International Series in the year 1977, with player progression documented from the quarterfinals stage. Also included are the Grand Slam tournaments, the 1977 Virginia Slims Championships, the 1977 Federation Cup and a number of events not affiliated with either tour.[1]

Key
Grand Slam tournaments
Virginia Slims/Colgate Series championships
Virginia Slims Circuit
Colgate International Series
Non-tour events
Team events

October (1976)

Week Tournament Champions Runners-up Semifinalists Quarterfinalists
17 OctColgate Inaugural
Palm Springs, United States
Colgate International Series
Hard – $175,000 – 16S
United States Chris Evert
6–1, 6–2
France Françoise DürrUnited Kingdom Virginia Wade (3rd)
United States Terry Holladay (4th)
United States Nancy Richey
United States Martina Navratilova
Netherlands Betty Stöve
Australia Dianne Fromholtz
United States Chris Evert
United States Martina Navratilova
6–2, 6–4
United States Billie Jean King
Netherlands Betty Stöve

November (1976)

Week Tournament Champions Runners-up Semifinalists Quarterfinalists
1 NovDewar Cup
London, Great Britain
Colgate International Series
Hard – $35,000
United Kingdom Virginia Wade
6–2, 6–2
United States Chris EvertUnited States Rosie Casals
United Kingdom Sue Barker
Netherlands Betty Stöve
Romania Florența Mihai
United States Betsy Nagelsen
United Kingdom Glynis Coles
Netherlands Betty Stöve
United Kingdom Virginia Wade
6–3, 2–6, 6–3
United States Rosie Casals
United States Chris Evert
22 NovSouth African Open
Johannesburg, South Africa
Colgate International Series
Hard – $35,000
South Africa Brigitte Cuypers
6–7, 6–4, 6–1
United States Laura duPontSouth Africa Annette du Plooy
West Germany Heidi Eisterlehner
United Kingdom Lesley Charles
South Africa Tanya Harford
United Kingdom Glynis Coles
United States Stephanie Tolleson
United States Laura duPont
United States Valerie Ziegenfuss
6–1, 6–4
South Africa Yvonne Vermaak
South Africa Elizabeth Vlotman
29 NovColgate International Championships
Sydney, Australia
Colgate International Series
Grass – $100,000
United States Martina Navratilova
7–5, 6–2
Netherlands Betty StöveAustralia Kerry Reid
Australia Dianne Fromholtz
Australia Evonne Goolagong Cawley
South Africa Marise Kruger
United Kingdom Sue Barker
Australia Margaret Court
United States Martina Navratilova
Netherlands Betty Stöve
6–3, 7–5
France Françoise Dürr
United States Ann Kiyomura

December (1976)

Week Tournament Champions Runners-up Semifinalists Quarterfinalists
6 DecToyota Women's Classic
Melbourne, Australia
Colgate International Series
Grass – $75,000
Australia Margaret Court
6–2, 6–2
United Kingdom Sue BarkerNetherlands Betty Stöve
Australia Dianne Fromholtz
United States JoAnne Russell
France Françoise Dürr
United States Janet Newberry
South Africa Ilana Kloss
Australia Margaret Court
Netherlands Betty Stöve
6–2, 6–4
South Africa Linky Boshoff
South Africa Ilana Kloss
26 DecMarlboro NSW Open
Sydney, Australia
Colgate Series
Grass – $35,000
Australia Kerry Reid
3–6, 6–2, 6–3
Australia Dianne FromholtzAustralia Karen Krantzcke
Czechoslovakia Renáta Tomanová
Australia Wendy Turnbull
Australia Lesley Bowrey
Romania Virginia Ruzici
Australia Amanda Tobin
Australia Helen Gourlay
United States Betsy Nagelsen
6–4, 6–1
Australia Dianne Fromholtz
Czechoslovakia Renáta Tomanová

January

Week Tournament Champions Runners-up Semifinalists Quarterfinalists
3 JanAustralian Open
Melbourne, Australia
Grand Slam
Grass – 32S/16D
SinglesDoubles
Australia Kerry Reid
7–5, 6–2
Australia Dianne FromholtzAustralia Karen Krantzcke
Australia Helen Gourlay
Australia Jan Wilton
Japan Naoko Sato
Australia Mary Sawyer
West Germany Katja Ebbinghaus
Australia Dianne Fromholtz
Australia Helen Gourlay
5–7, 6–1, 7–5
United States Betsy Nagelsen
Australia Kerry Reid
Virginia Slims of Washington
Washington, United States
Virginia Slims
Carpet (i) – $100,000 – 32S/16D
United States Martina Navratilova
6–2, 6–3
United States Chris EvertAustralia Wendy Turnbull
United Kingdom Virginia Wade
United Kingdom Sue Barker
United States Beth Norton
France Françoise Dürr
United States Janet Newberry
United States Martina Navratilova
Netherlands Betty Stöve
7–5, 6–2
United States Kristien Shaw
United States Valerie Ziegenfuss
10 JanVirginia Slims of Florida
Hollywood, United States
Virginia Slims
Carpet (i) – $100,000 – 34S/16D
United States Chris Evert
6–3, 6–4
Australia Margaret CourtUnited Kingdom Sue Barker
United Kingdom Virginia Wade
Netherlands Betty Stöve
United States Martina Navratilova
United States JoAnne Russell
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Mima Jaušovec
United States Martina Navratilova
Netherlands Betty Stöve
6–4, 3–6, 6–4
United States Rosie Casals
United States Chris Evert
17 JanVirginia Slims of Houston
Houston, United States
Virginia Slims
Carpet (i) – $100,000 – 32S/13D
United States Martina Navratilova
7–6(5–3), 7–5
United Kingdom Sue BarkerSocialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Mima Jaušovec
Australia Dianne Fromholtz
Australia Wendy Turnbull
United States Kristien Shaw
South Africa Greer Stevens
United States Carrie Meyer
United States Martina Navratilova
Netherlands Betty Stöve
4–6, 6–2, 6–1
United Kingdom Sue Barker
United States Ann Kiyomura
24 JanVirginia Slims of Minneapolis
Minneapolis, United States
Virginia Slims
Carpet (i) – $100,000 – 33S/14D
United States Martina Navratilova
6–0, 6–1
United Kingdom Sue BarkerUnited States Rosie Casals
Soviet Union Olga Morozova
United Kingdom Virginia Wade
Australia Margaret Court
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Mima Jaušovec
Soviet Union Natasha Chmyreva
United States Rosie Casals
United States Martina Navratilova
6–2, 6–1
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Mima Jaušovec
Romania Virginia Ruzici
31 JanVirginia Slims of Seattle
Seattle, United States
Virginia Slims
Carpet (i) – $100,000 – 33S/16D
United States Chris Evert
6–2, 6–4
United States Martina NavratilovaSoviet Union Olga Morozova
United States Rosie Casals
United States Kristien Shaw
Australia Dianne Fromholtz
Soviet Union Natasha Chmyreva
United States Sharon Walsh
United States Rosie Casals
United States Chris Evert
6–4, 3–6, 6–3
France Françoise Dürr
United States Martina Navratilova

February

Week Tournament Champions Runners-up Semifinalists Quarterfinalists
7 FebVirginia Slims of Chicago
Chicago, United States
Virginia Slims
Carpet (i) – $100,000 – 33S/16D
United States Chris Evert
6–1, 6–3
Australia Margaret CourtNetherlands Betty Stöve
Soviet Union Natasha Chmyreva
United States Kristien Shaw
South Africa Brigitte Cuypers
United States Julie Anthony
United States Rosie Casals
United States Rosie Casals
United States Chris Evert
6–3, 6–4
Australia Margaret Court
Netherlands Betty Stöve
14 FebVirginia Slims of Los Angeles
Los Angeles, United States
Virginia Slims
Carpet (i) – $100,000 – 34S/15D
United States Chris Evert
6–2, 2–6, 6–2
United States Martina NavratilovaUnited States Rosie Casals
Australia Margaret Court
Australia Kerry Reid
United Kingdom Virginia Wade
United States Terry Holladay
United States JoAnne Russell
United States Rosie Casals
United States Chris Evert
6–2, 6–4
United States Martina Navratilova
Netherlands Betty Stöve
21 FebVirginia Slims of Detroit
Detroit, United States
Virginia Slims
Carpet (i) – $100,000 – 32S
United States Martina Navratilova
6–4, 6–4
United Kingdom Sue BarkerUnited Kingdom Virginia Wade
France Françoise Dürr
South Africa Yvonne Vermaak
Romania Virginia Ruzici
Australia Margaret Court
United States Sharon Walsh
United States Martina Navratilova
Netherlands Betty Stöve
6–3, 6–4
United States Janet Newberry
United States JoAnne Russell
28 FebVirginia Slims of San Francisco
San Francisco, United States
Virginia Slims
Carpet (i) – $100,000 – 34S/16D
United Kingdom Sue Barker
6–3, 6–4
United Kingdom Virginia WadeUnited States Chris Evert
United States Rosie Casals
Netherlands Betty Stöve
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Mima Jaušovec
Australia Kerry Reid
France Françoise Dürr
Australia Kerry Reid
South Africa Greer Stevens
6–3, 6–1
United Kingdom Sue Barker
United States Ann Kiyomura

March

Week Tournament Champions Runners-up Semifinalists Quarterfinalists
7 MarVirginia Slims of Dallas
Dallas, United States
Virginia Slims
Carpet (i) – $100,000 – 34S/17D
United Kingdom Sue Barker
6–1, 7–6(5–4)
United States Terry HolladaySouth Africa Greer Stevens
United Kingdom Virginia Wade
United States Kathleen Harter
Czechoslovakia Renáta Tomanová
United States Kristien Shaw
Netherlands Betty Stöve
United States Martina Navratilova
Netherlands Betty Stöve
6–2, 6–4
Australia Kerry Reid
South Africa Greer Stevens
14 MarVirginia Slims of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, United States
Virginia Slims
Carpet (i) – $100,000 – 32S/15D
United States Chris Evert
6–4, 4–6, 6–3
United States Martina NavratilovaUnited Kingdom Sue Barker
United States Rosie Casals
Australia Dianne Fromholtz
Australia Kerry Reid
United Kingdom Virginia Wade
Netherlands Betty Stöve
France Françoise Dürr
United Kingdom Virginia Wade
6–4, 4–6, 6–4
United States Martina Navratilova
Netherlands Betty Stöve
24 MarVirginia Slims Championships
New York City, United States
Year-end championships
Carpet (i) – $150,000 – 16S (8RR)
United States Chris Evert
2–6, 6–1, 6–1
United Kingdom Sue Barker3rd: United States Martina Navratilova
4th: United States Rosie Casals
5th: United Kingdom Virginia Wade
6th: Netherlands Betty Stöve
7th: Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Mima Jaušovec
8th: United States Kristien Shaw


28 MarFamily Circle Cup
Hilton Head Island, United States
Colgate Series
Clay – $110,000 – 30S/16D
Singles
United States Chris Evert
6–1, 6–0
United States Billie Jean KingSocialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Mima Jaušovec
Australia Kerry Reid
United States Kathy May
United States Rosie Casals
United States Tracy Austin
Czechoslovakia Renáta Tomanová
United States Rosie Casals
United States Chris Evert
6–4, 6–2
France Françoise Dürr
United Kingdom Virginia Wade

April

Week Tournament Champions Runners-up Semifinalists Quarterfinalists
4 AprBridgestone Doubles Championships
Tokyo, Japan
Carpet (i) – $100,000 – 8D
United States Martina Navratilova
Netherlands Betty Stöve
7–5, 6–3
France Françoise Dürr
United Kingdom Virginia Wade
United States Casals / United States King
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Jaušovec / Romania Ruzici
United States Newberry / United States Russell
United States Kemmer / United States Ziegenfuss
United Kingdom Barker / United States Kiyomura
United States Holladay / United States May

May

Week Tournament Champions Runners-up Semifinalists Quarterfinalists
9 MayGerman Open
Hamburg, West Germany
Colgate Series
Clay – $35,000
United States Laura duPont
6–1, 6–4
West Germany Heidi EisterlehnerWest Germany Katja Ebbinghaus
Czechoslovakia Regina Maršíková
Czechoslovakia Renáta Tomanová
West Germany Iris Riedel
Romania Florența Mihai
Czechoslovakia Lea Plchová
South Africa Linky Boshoff
South Africa Ilana Kloss
2–6, 6–4, 7–5
Czechoslovakia Regina Maršíková
Czechoslovakia Renáta Tomanová
16 MayItalian Open
Rome, Italy
Colgate Series
Clay – $35,000
United States Janet Newberry
6–3, 7–6(7–5)
Czechoslovakia Renáta TomanováHungary Marie Pinterová
United States Laura duPont
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Mima Jaušovec
West Germany Iris Riedel
United States Pam Teeguarden
United States Mary Struthers
South Africa Brigitte Cuypers
South Africa Marise Kruger
6–3, 5–7, 2–6
United States Bunny Bruning
United States Sharon Walsh
23 May
30 May
French Open
Paris, France
Grand Slam
Clay (red) – 64S/64Q/22D/24X
SinglesDoublesMixed doubles
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Mima Jaušovec
6–2, 6–7(5–7), 6–1
Romania Florența MihaiCzechoslovakia Regina Maršíková
United States Janet Newberry
United States Pam Teeguarden
Czechoslovakia Renáta Tomanová
South Africa Linky Boshoff
United States Kathy May
Czechoslovakia Regina Maršíková
United States Pam Teeguarden
5–7, 6–4, 6–2
United States Rayni Fox
Australia Helen Gourlay Cawley
United States Mary Carillo
United States John McEnroe
7–6, 6–3
Romania Florența Mihai
Colombia Iván Molina

June

Week Tournament Champions Runners-up Semifinalists Quarterfinalists
13 JunFederation Cup
Eastbourne, Great Britain
Federation Cup
Grass – 32 teams knockout
 United States
2–1
 Australia South Africa
 Great Britain
 France
 Netherlands
 Sweden
 West Germany
20 Jun
27 Jun
Wimbledon Championships
London, Great Britain
Grand Slam
Grass – 96S/48D/64X
SinglesDoublesMixed doubles
United Kingdom Virginia Wade
4–6, 6–3, 6–1
Netherlands Betty StöveUnited States Chris Evert
United Kingdom Sue Barker
United States Billie Jean King
United States Rosie Casals
Australia Kerry Reid
United States Martina Navratilova
Australia Helen Gourlay Cawley
United States JoAnne Russell
6–3, 6–3
United States Martina Navratilova
Netherlands Betty Stöve
South Africa Greer Stevens
South Africa Bob Hewitt
3–6, 7–5, 6–4
Netherlands Betty Stöve
South Africa Frew McMillan

August

Week Tournament Champions Runners-up Semifinalists Quarterfinalists
8 AugUS Clay Court Championships
Indianapolis, United States
Colgate Series
Clay – $35,000
SinglesDoubles
United States Laura duPont
6–4, 6–3
United States Nancy RicheyAustralia Cynthia Doerner
West Germany Iris Riedel
Brazil Maria Bueno
West Germany Katja Ebbinghaus
United Kingdom Lesley Charles
United States Marcie Louie
South Africa Linky Boshoff
South Africa Ilana Kloss
5–7, 7–5, 6–3
United States Mary Carillo
United States Wendy Overton
15 AugRothmans Canadian Open
Toronto, Canada
Colgate Series
Clay – $35,000
Czechoslovakia Regina Maršíková
6–4, 4–6, 6–2
South Africa Marise KrugerAustralia Cynthia Doerner
United States Jeanne Evert
West Germany Katja Ebbinghaus
United States Rosie Casals
South Africa Yvonne Vermaak
Uruguay Fiorella Bonicelli
South Africa Linky Boshoff
South Africa Ilana Kloss
6–2, 6–3
United States Rosie Casals
Australia Evonne Goolagong Cawley
22 AugIvey's Pepsi Tennis Classic
Charlotte, United States
Colgate Series
Clay – $50,000
United States Martina Navratilova
3–6, 6–2, 6–2
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Mima JaušovecUnited States JoAnne Russell
Czechoslovakia Regina Maršíková
United States Tracy Austin
South Africa Brigitte Cuypers
West Germany Katja Ebbinghaus
United States Kate Latham
United States Martina Navratilova
Netherlands Betty Stöve
6–3, 6–4
Czechoslovakia Regina Maršíková
United States Pam Teeguarden
29 Aug
5 Sep
US Open
New York City, United States
Grand Slam
$250,000 – Clay – 64S/32D/32X
SinglesDoublesMixed doubles
United States Chris Evert
7–6(7–3), 6–2
Australia Wendy TurnbullNetherlands Betty Stöve
United States Martina Navratilova
United States Billie Jean King
United States Tracy Austin
United Kingdom Virginia Wade
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Mima Jaušovec
United States Martina Navratilova
Netherlands Betty Stöve
6–1, 7–6(7–4)
United States Renée Richards
United States Betty-Ann Stuart
Netherlands Betty Stöve
South Africa Frew McMillan
6–2, 3–6, 6–3
United States Billie Jean King
United States Vitas Gerulaitis

September

Week Tournament Champions Runners-up Semifinalists Quarterfinalists
12 SepToray Sillook Open
Osaka & Tokyo, Japan
Colgate Series
Carpet (i) – $100,000
Singles
United Kingdom Virginia Wade
7–5, 5–7, 6–4
United States Martina NavratilovaAustralia Wendy Turnbull
United Kingdom Sue Barker
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Mima Jaušovec
United States Terry Holladay
United States Julie Anthony
United Kingdom Michelle Tyler
26 SepFlorida Federal Open
Palm Harbor, United States
Colgate Series
Hard – $35,000
Romania Virginia Ruzici
6–4, 4–6, 6–2
United States Laura duPontSouth Africa Marise Kruger
United States Mona Guerrant
United Kingdom Michelle Tyler
United States Renée Richards
United States Mary Hamm
United States JoAnne Russell
South Africa Linky Boshoff
South Africa Ilana Kloss
6–7, 6–2, 6–2
South Africa Brigitte Cuypers
South Africa Marise Kruger

October

Week Tournament Champions Runners-up Semifinalists Quarterfinalists
3 OctWyler's Classic
Atlanta, United States
Colgate Series
Carpet (i) – $75,000 – 32S/16D
United States Chris Evert
6–3, 6–2
Australia Dianne FromholtzUnited Kingdom Virginia Wade
United States Billie Jean King
United States Ann Kiyomura
Australia Kerry Reid
Netherlands Betty Stöve
United States Martina Navratilova
United States Martina Navratilova
Netherlands Betty Stöve
6–4, 6–2
South Africa Brigitte Cuypers
South Africa Marise Kruger
10 OctThunderbird Classic
Phoenix, United States
Colgate Series
Hard – $75,000
United States Billie Jean King
1–6, 6–1, 6–0
Australia Wendy TurnbullNetherlands Betty Stöve
United States Martina Navratilova
United States Renée Richards
Australia Dianne Fromholtz
United States Rosie Casals
United States Tracy Austin
United States Billie Jean King
United States Martina Navratilova
6–0, 7–5
Australia Helen Gourlay Cawley
United States JoAnne Russell
17 OctColgate Brazil Open
São Paulo, Brazil
Colgate Series
Hard – $75,000
United States Billie Jean King
6–1, 6–4
Netherlands Betty StöveAustralia Dianne Fromholtz
Australia Kerry Reid
United States Martina Navratilova
United States Betsy Nagelsen
United States Rosie Casals
United States Sharon Walsh
Australia Kerry Reid
Australia Wendy Turnbull
6–3, 5–7, 6–2
United States Martina Navratilova
Netherlands Betty Stöve
24 OctBorniquen Classic
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Colgate Series
Hard – $75,000
United States Billie Jean King
6–1, 6–3
United States Janet NewberryUnited States JoAnne Russell
Netherlands Betty Stöve
Australia Wendy Turnbull
United States Rosie Casals
Romania Virginia Ruzici
United States Terry Holladay
United States Rosie Casals
United States Billie Jean King
4–6, 6–2, 6–3
South Africa Linky Boshoff
South Africa Ilana Kloss
31 OctColgate Series Championships
Palm Springs, United States
Colgate Series championships
Hard – $250,000 – 8S/4D
United States Chris Evert
6–2, 6–2
United States Billie Jean KingUnited Kingdom Virginia Wade (3rd)
Australia Kerry Reid (4th)
Round robin
Australia Dianne Fromholtz
United States Martina Navratilova
Australia Wendy Turnbull
Netherlands Betty Stöve
France Françoise Dürr
United Kingdom Virginia Wade
6–1, 4–6, 6–4
Australia Helen Gourlay Cawley
United States JoAnne Russell

November

Week Tournament Champions Runners-up Semifinalists Quarterfinalists
7 NovWightman Cup
Williamsburg, United States
Hard (i)
Team event
 United States
7–0
 Great Britain
N/A
N/A

Rankings

Below are the 1977 WTA year-end rankings (December 31, 1977) in both singles and doubles competition:

Singles Year-end Ranking[3]
No Player Name Points 1976 Change
1  Chris Evert (USA) 17.612 1 =
2  Billie Jean King (USA) 12.244 NR NR
3  Martina Navratilova (USA) 11.881 4 +1
4  Virginia Wade (GBR) 10.185 3 -1
5  Sue Barker (GBR) 9.515 10 +5
6  Rosie Casals (USA) 7.693 6 =
7  Betty Stöve (NED) 6.617 7 =
8  Dianne Fromholtz (AUS) 6.462 5 -3
9  Wendy Turnbull (AUS) 6.326 30 +21
10  Kerry Melville (AUS) 6.061 8 -2
11  Mima Jaušovec (YUG) 5.738 11 =
12  Tracy Austin (USA) 5.065 NR NR
13  Greer Stevens (RSA) 4.989 17 +4
14  Terry Holladay (USA) 4.313 13 -1
15  JoAnne Russell (USA) 4.244 18 +3
16  Virginia Ruzici (ROU) 3.951 26 +10
17  Kristien Shaw (USA) 3.875 32 +15
18  Janet Newberry (USA) 3.813 28 +10
19  Katja Ebbinghaus (FRG) 3.759 NR NR
20  Regina Maršíková (TCH) 3.700 +3 23

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "WTA Tour Finals" (PDF). www.wtatennis.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-02-01. Retrieved 2012-07-14.
  2. "About the WTA". www.wtatennis.com. Archived from the original on 2012-09-20. Retrieved 2012-07-14.
  3. "Women's International Computerized Rankings" (PDF). Women's Tennis Association (WTA). 31 December 1977.