World Championship Tennis: Difference between revisions
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{{distinguish|World Tennis Championship|ITF World Champions}} |
{{distinguish|World Tennis Championship|ITF World Champions}} |
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'''World Championship Tennis''' ('''WCT''') was a tour for professional male [[tennis]] players established in 1968 (the first players signed a contract at the end of 1967) and lasted until the emergence of the [[ATP Tour]] in 1990. A number of |
'''World Championship Tennis''' ('''WCT''') was a tour for professional male [[tennis]] players established in 1968 (the first players signed a contract at the end of 1967) and lasted until the emergence of the [[ATP Tour]] in 1990. A number of tennis tournaments around the world were affiliated with WCT and players were ranked in a special WCT ranking according to their results in those tournaments. |
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The WCT had an important impact on the commercial development of tennis. It instituted a [[Tennis score#Scoring a tiebreak game|tie-breaker]] system and outfitted players with colored clothing, a radical idea at that time. WCT also strongly encouraged the audience to cheer for players, rather than politely applaud, as the more staid tennis audiences had done before. They publicly emphasized their prize money structure and special bonus pool as an incentive to attract top players. |
The WCT had an important impact on the commercial development of tennis. It instituted a [[Tennis score#Scoring a tiebreak game|tie-breaker]] system and outfitted players with colored clothing, a radical idea at that time. WCT also strongly encouraged the audience to cheer for players, rather than politely applaud, as the more staid tennis audiences had done before. They publicly emphasized their prize money structure and special bonus pool as an incentive to attract top players. |
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==History== |
==History== |
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World Championship Tennis was founded in September 1967 by [[New Orleans]] sports promoter [[David Dixon (businessman)|David Dixon]], who had earlier witnessed the dreary conditions of the professional circuit before the open era when he visited a poorly promoted match between [[Rod Laver]] and [[Ken Rosewall]].<ref>{{cite book|title=World of Tennis 1971|year=1971|publisher=Queen Anne Press|location=London|isbn=978-0362000917|pages=141–144|editor=[[John Barrett (tennis)|John Barrett]]}}</ref> In August of that year he had presented his idea of a pro tennis tour to [[Lamar Hunt]] and [[Al Hill |
World Championship Tennis was founded in September 1967 by [[New Orleans]] sports promoter [[David Dixon (businessman)|David Dixon]], who had earlier witnessed the dreary conditions of the professional circuit before the open era when he visited a poorly promoted match between [[Rod Laver]] and [[Ken Rosewall]].<ref>{{cite book|title=World of Tennis 1971|year=1971|publisher=Queen Anne Press|location=London|isbn=978-0362000917|pages=141–144|editor=[[John Barrett (tennis)|John Barrett]]}}</ref> In August of that year, he had presented his idea of a pro tennis tour to [[Lamar Hunt]] and [[Al Hill Jr.]] who agreed to invest.<ref>{{cite news|title=Hunt gains breakthrough with TV tennis contract|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=TU8_AAAAIBAJ&sjid=FFIMAAAAIBAJ&pg=5463,4556281&hl=en|newspaper=[[The Windsor Star]]|date=November 4, 1971|via=[[Google News Archive]]}}</ref><ref name=dmag>{{cite web|title=It Was 20 Years Ago Today|url=http://www.dmagazine.com/publications/d-magazine/1988/march/it-was-20-years-ago-today|publisher=D Magazine|author=Tom Koch|date=March 1988}}</ref> WCT became the major professional tennis tour of players under contract of the early seventies. |
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After starting with the "Handsome Eight", the original eight players ([[Dennis Ralston]], [[John Newcombe]], [[Tony Roche]], [[Cliff Drysdale]], [[Earl Buchholz]], [[Niki Pilić]], [[Roger Taylor (tennis)|Roger Taylor]] and [[Pierre Barthès]]), the first WCT tournament was held in January 1968 in Sydney, Australia and used the [[Jimmy Van Alen#Biography|VASSS scoring system]]. According to sportswriter [[Rod Humphries]], this first event was a hastily organized tournament held in the parking lot of the Channel 7 television studios in Epping and was won by Tony Roche.<ref>"Roche at Top Form in Final" Sydney Morning Herald, January 26, 1968. Page 12</ref> The first American WCT tournament was held in February 1968 in [[Kansas City, Missouri|Kansas City]].<ref name=dmag/><ref>{{cite magazine|title=Now Tennis Goes Mod|url=https://www.si.com/vault/1968/02/12/546786/now-tennis-goes-mod|magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]|author=[[Frank Deford]]|date=February 12, 1968|volume=28|issue=6|pages=12–15}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Tennis Amateur Says Wage Runs About $9,600 a Year|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=9rcrAAAAIBAJ&sjid=XuYFAAAAIBAJ&pg=5164%2C509428|work=Lawrence Journal-World|agency=AP|date=January 4, 1968|page=Eleven}}</ref> In March 1968 Hunt and Hill took over Dixon's 50% stake in WCT and Dixon left the organization. WCT took a loss of $300,000 during its first year of operation. Al Hill, Jr. became president of WCT.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=But It Looked Like A Great New Racket|url=https://www.si.com/vault/issue/43120/62/2|magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]|author1=[[Bob Briner]]|author2=[[Frank Deford]]|pages=56–64|date=April 19, 1971|volume=34|issue=16}}</ref> |
After starting with the "Handsome Eight", the original eight players ([[Dennis Ralston]], [[John Newcombe]], [[Tony Roche]], [[Cliff Drysdale]], [[Earl Buchholz]], [[Niki Pilić]], [[Roger Taylor (tennis)|Roger Taylor]] and [[Pierre Barthès]]), the first WCT tournament was held in January 1968 in Sydney, Australia and used the [[Jimmy Van Alen#Biography|VASSS scoring system]]. According to sportswriter [[Rod Humphries]], this first event was a hastily organized tournament held in the parking lot of the Channel 7 television studios in Epping and was won by Tony Roche.<ref>"Roche at Top Form in Final" Sydney Morning Herald, January 26, 1968. Page 12</ref> The first American WCT tournament was held in February 1968 in [[Kansas City, Missouri|Kansas City]].<ref name=dmag/><ref>{{cite magazine|title=Now Tennis Goes Mod|url=https://www.si.com/vault/1968/02/12/546786/now-tennis-goes-mod|magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]|author=[[Frank Deford]]|date=February 12, 1968|volume=28|issue=6|pages=12–15}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Tennis Amateur Says Wage Runs About $9,600 a Year|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=9rcrAAAAIBAJ&sjid=XuYFAAAAIBAJ&pg=5164%2C509428|work=Lawrence Journal-World|agency=AP|date=January 4, 1968|page=Eleven}}</ref> In March 1968 Hunt and Hill took over Dixon's 50% stake in WCT and Dixon left the organization. WCT took a loss of $300,000 during its first year of operation. Al Hill, Jr. became president of WCT.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=But It Looked Like A Great New Racket|url=https://www.si.com/vault/issue/43120/62/2|magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]|author1=[[Bob Briner]]|author2=[[Frank Deford]]|pages=56–64|date=April 19, 1971|volume=34|issue=16}}</ref> |
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By early 1970, the WCT had signed other players ([[Marty Riessen]], [[Raymond Moore (tennis)|Ray Moore]], [[Tom Okker]], [[Arthur Ashe]]) and in July it acquired the player contracts of the other major professional organization, the [[National Tennis League]] (NTL), which had under contract players from the former professional group of [[Jack Kramer]], namely |
By early 1970, the WCT had signed other players ([[Marty Riessen]], [[Raymond Moore (tennis)|Ray Moore]], [[Tom Okker]], [[Arthur Ashe]]) and in July it acquired the player contracts of the other major professional organization, the [[National Tennis League]] (NTL), which had under contract players from the former professional group of [[Jack Kramer]], namely Rod Laver, Ken Rosewall and [[Pancho Gonzáles]] as well as [[Andrés Gimeno]], [[Roy Emerson]], and [[Fred Stolle]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Lamar Hunt obtains six pro tennis stars|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=qDJWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=eucDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6745%2C6230618|work=Eugene Register-Guard|date=July 29, 1970|page=2D|via=[[Google News Archive]]}}</ref> |
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In 1971 the WCT circuit grew to 21 tournaments around the globe.<ref>{{cite book|last=Wind|first=Herbert Warren|authorlink=Herbert Warren Wind|title=Game, Set, and Match : The Tennis Boom of the 1960s and 70s|year=1979|publisher=Dutton|location=New York|isbn=0525111409|pages=65–70|edition=1.}}</ref> In July 1971 at its annual meeting the [[International Tennis Federation|International Lawn Tennis Federation]] (ILTF) voted to ban all WCT contract professionals from the ILTF tournaments and facilities from the beginning of 1972 onwards.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Bud Collins History of Tennis|year=2010|publisher=New Chapter Press|location=[New York]|isbn=978-0942257700|page=160|author=[[Bud Collins]]|edition=2nd}}</ref> At the end of the 1971 WCT season the top eight players from the season were seeded according to their WCT rankings and played a year-end championship tournament in November. This was held about two weeks before the similar championship of the rival [[Grand Prix tennis circuit|Grand Prix circuit]], called [[Tennis Masters Cup|The Masters]]. For commercial reasons, from 1972 onward this championship, played on indoor carpet, was usually held in the spring in [[Dallas, Texas]] and became known as the [[WCT Finals]]. The tournament ran for 19 years and the last championship was held in 1989. The format for this event was adopted by the [[ATP Tour|Association of Tennis Professionals]] for the year-end [[Masters Cup|Tour Finals]]. |
In 1971, the WCT circuit grew to 21 tournaments around the globe.<ref>{{cite book|last=Wind|first=Herbert Warren|authorlink=Herbert Warren Wind|title=Game, Set, and Match : The Tennis Boom of the 1960s and 70s|year=1979|publisher=Dutton|location=New York|isbn=0525111409|pages=65–70|edition=1.}}</ref> In July 1971, at its annual meeting, the [[International Tennis Federation|International Lawn Tennis Federation]] (ILTF) voted to ban all WCT contract professionals from the ILTF tournaments and facilities from the beginning of 1972 onwards.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Bud Collins History of Tennis|year=2010|publisher=New Chapter Press|location=[New York]|isbn=978-0942257700|page=160|author=[[Bud Collins]]|edition=2nd}}</ref> At the end of the 1971 WCT season, the top eight players from the season were seeded according to their WCT rankings and played a year-end championship tournament in November. This was held about two weeks before the similar championship of the rival [[Grand Prix tennis circuit|Grand Prix circuit]], called [[Tennis Masters Cup|The Masters]]. For commercial reasons, from 1972 onward this championship, played on indoor carpet, was usually held in the spring in [[Dallas, Texas]] and became known as the [[WCT Finals]]. The tournament ran for 19 years and the last championship was held in 1989. The format for this event was adopted by the [[ATP Tour|Association of Tennis Professionals]] for the year-end [[Masters Cup|Tour Finals]]. |
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In April 1972 an agreement was reached between the ILTF and WCT that divided the 1973 tour in a WCT circuit that ran from January through May and a Grand Prix circuit that was scheduled for the rest of the year. Under this agreement WCT players were again allowed to play the Grand Prix tournaments.<ref name=itf>{{cite web|title=ITF – History|url=http://www.itftennis.com/about/organisation/history.aspx|publisher=[[International Tennis Federation]] (ITF)}}</ref> |
In April 1972 an agreement was reached between the ILTF and WCT that divided the 1973 tour in a WCT circuit that ran from January through May and a Grand Prix circuit that was scheduled for the rest of the year. Under this agreement WCT players were again allowed to play the Grand Prix tournaments.<ref name=itf>{{cite web|title=ITF – History|url=http://www.itftennis.com/about/organisation/history.aspx|publisher=[[International Tennis Federation]] (ITF)}}</ref> |
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The WCT tour was merged into the [[Grand Prix tennis circuit]] in 1978. On 30 April 1981 WCT announced its withdrawal from the |
The WCT tour was merged into the [[Grand Prix tennis circuit]] in 1978. On 30 April 1981 WCT announced its withdrawal from the Grand Prix circuit and the establishment of its own full calendar season for 1982. According to Lamar Hunt the reasons for the withdrawal were the restrictions placed on them by the Men's Professional Council, the administrators of the Grand Prix circuit.<ref name=wot1982>{{cite book|title=World of Tennis 1982|year=1982|publisher=Queen Anne Press|location=London|isbn=0356085961|editor=[[John Barrett (tennis)|John Barrett]]|pages=167–177|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_0356085961}}</ref> In January 1983, WCT sued the [[Men's International Professional Tennis Council]] (MIPTC), the Association of Tennis Professionals and the ITF, claiming unfair restriction of trade.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=And Suddenly He's A Man Of Clay|url=https://www.si.com/vault/issue/43388/42/2|magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]|author=Curry Kirkpatrick|date=May 16, 1983|pages=40–47|volume=58|issue=20}}</ref> In November 1983 a settlement resulted in WCT's reincorporation into the Grand Prix with effect from 1985.<ref>{{cite book|title=World of Tennis 1984|year=1984|publisher=Willow Books|location=London|isbn=9780002181228|page=11|editor=[[John Barrett (tennis)|John Barrett]]}}</ref> |
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1989 was the last season of WCT. The [[Association of Tennis Professionals|ATP]] established its own tennis circuit from 1990. On August 28, 1990, after the [[WCT Tournament of Champions|Tournament of Champions]] event at [[Forest Hills, Queens|Forest Hills]], WCT announced its dissolution.<ref name=dissolution>{{cite news|title=W.C.T. Out of Business|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/08/28/sports/wct-out-of-business.html|newspaper=The New York Times|date=August 28, 1990}}</ref> |
1989 was the last season of WCT. The [[Association of Tennis Professionals|ATP]] established its own tennis circuit from 1990. On August 28, 1990, after the [[WCT Tournament of Champions|Tournament of Champions]] event at [[Forest Hills, Queens|Forest Hills]], WCT announced its dissolution.<ref name=dissolution>{{cite news|title=W.C.T. Out of Business|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/08/28/sports/wct-out-of-business.html|newspaper=The New York Times|date=August 28, 1990}}</ref> |
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WCT also built and operated tennis clubs in the United States; WCT Lakeway World of Tennis in Lakeway (metro Austin), Texas and WCT Peachtree World of Tennis in Peachtree Corners (metro Atlanta), Georgia.{{citation needed|date=October 2013}} |
WCT also built and operated tennis clubs in the United States; WCT Lakeway World of Tennis in Lakeway (metro Austin), Texas and WCT Peachtree World of Tennis in Peachtree Corners (metro Atlanta), Georgia.{{citation needed|date=October 2013}} |
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==WCT by year== |
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=== WCT 1985=== |
=== WCT 1985=== |
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WCT tournaments returned to the Grand Prix stage after a three-year absence during 1982–84. There were only |
WCT tournaments returned to the Grand Prix stage after a three-year absence during 1982–84. There were only four events. The titles were split between [[Ivan Lendl]] and [[John McEnroe]], winning two each. While McEnroe entered into all four, Lendl played just two and won both. McEnroe grabbed WCT Houston title beating [[Kevin Curren]] in the final. |
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The [[WCT Finals]] in [[Dallas, Texas|Dallas]] saw the unexpected defeat of McEnroe in the quarter-finals by [[Joakim Nyström]] in three straight sets. The title was captured by Lendl, whose success completed a triplicate of titles in three weeks: [[ATP Fort Myers|Fort Myers]] on hard, [[Monte-Carlo Masters|Monte Carlo]] on clay and Dallas on the carpet. Other players have won three, even four, tournaments in successive weeks in the [[Open Era (tennis)|Open Era]], but never on different surfaces.{{Citation needed|date=April 2008}} |
The [[WCT Finals]] in [[Dallas, Texas|Dallas]] saw the unexpected defeat of McEnroe in the quarter-finals by [[Joakim Nyström]] in three straight sets. The title was captured by Lendl, whose success completed a triplicate of titles in three weeks: [[ATP Fort Myers|Fort Myers]] on hard, [[Monte-Carlo Masters|Monte Carlo]] on clay and Dallas on the carpet. Other players have won three, even four, tournaments in successive weeks in the [[Open Era (tennis)|Open Era]], but never on different surfaces.{{Citation needed|date=April 2008}} |
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In Atlanta, McEnroe won the final over [[Paul Annacone]], prevailing in three close sets. The [[WCT Tournament of Champions]] in [[Forest Hills, Queens|Forest Hills]] ended with much anticipated final between Lendl and McEnroe. Despite winning only |
In Atlanta, McEnroe won the final over [[Paul Annacone]], prevailing in three close sets. The [[WCT Tournament of Champions]] in [[Forest Hills, Queens|Forest Hills]] ended with much anticipated final between Lendl and McEnroe. Despite winning only two of his last 12 matches over McEnroe in ATP tournaments, Lendl beat McEnroe 6–3 6–3. |
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|rowspan=2|April 28||rowspan=2|[[Atlanta]], USA ||rowspan=2|WCT Atlanta||rowspan=2|Nabisco Grand Prix||rowspan=2|$300,000<br />Carpet|| rowspan=2|{{flagicon|USA}} [[John McEnroe]] d. {{flagicon|USA}} [[Paul Annacone]], 7–6, 7–6, 6–2 ||[[John McEnroe]] d. [[Mike Leach (tennis)|Mike Leach]], 6–3, 6–3 <br /> |
|rowspan=2|April 28||rowspan=2|[[Atlanta]], USA ||rowspan=2|WCT Atlanta||rowspan=2|Nabisco Grand Prix||rowspan=2|$300,000<br />Carpet|| rowspan=2|{{flagicon|USA}} [[John McEnroe]] d. {{flagicon|USA}} [[Paul Annacone]], 7–6, 7–6, 6–2 ||[[John McEnroe]] d. [[Mike Leach (tennis)|Mike Leach]], 6–3, 6–3 <br /> |
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|[[Paul Annacone]] d. [[Kevin Curren]], [[walkover| |
|[[Paul Annacone]] d. [[Kevin Curren]], [[walkover|w/o]] |
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|rowspan=2|May 12||rowspan=2|[[Forest Hills, Queens|Forest Hills]] |
|rowspan=2|May 12||rowspan=2|[[Forest Hills, Queens|Forest Hills]], USA ||rowspan=2|[[WCT Tournament of Champions|Shearson Lehman Brothers Tournament of Champions]]||rowspan=2|Nabisco Grand Prix||rowspan=2|$500,000<br />Clay (Har-Tru)||rowspan=2| {{flagicon|USA}} [[Ivan Lendl]] d. {{flagicon|USA}} [[John McEnroe]], 6–3, 6–3 |
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|[[Ivan Lendl]] d. [[Aaron Krickstein]], 6–1, 2–6, 6–1 <br /> |
|[[Ivan Lendl]] d. [[Aaron Krickstein]], 6–1, 2–6, 6–1 <br /> |
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===WCT 1986=== |
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The [[WCT Atlanta]] tournament was marked by early exits of both top seeds, [[Stefan Edberg]] and [[Boris Becker]], in the |
The [[WCT Atlanta]] tournament was marked by early exits of both top seeds, [[Stefan Edberg]] and [[Boris Becker]], in the first round. Edberg lost to [[Mikael Pernfors]] and Becker to eventual runner-up [[Tim Wilkison]]. In Dallas, [[Anders Järryd]] was the unexpected winner, having replaced the injured Ivan Lendl in the 12-player draw. |
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|Apr 6||[[Atlanta]], USA ||WCT Atlanta||Nabisco Grand Prix||$220,000<br />Carpet|| {{flagicon|USA}} [[Kevin Curren]] d. {{flagicon|USA}} [[Tim Wilkison]], 7–6, 7–6 |
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|[[Kevin Curren]] d. [[Brian Teacher]], 6–4, 6–2 <br /> [[Tim Wilkison]] d. [[David Pate]], 6–4, 2–6, 6–4 |
|[[Kevin Curren]] d. [[Brian Teacher]], 6–4, 6–2 <br /> [[Tim Wilkison]] d. [[David Pate]], 6–4, 2–6, 6–4 |
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|Apr 13||[[Dallas]], USA ||[[1986 Buick WCT Finals|Buick WCT Finals]]||Nabisco Grand Prix||$500,000<br />Carpet|| {{flagicon|SWE}} [[Anders Järryd]] d. {{flagicon|FRG}} [[Boris Becker]], 6–7, 6–1, 6–1, 6–4 |
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|[[Anders Järryd]] d. [[Mats Wilander]], 6–4, 7–5, 6–3 <br /> [[Boris Becker]] d. [[Stefan Edberg]] 7–6, 7–6, 4–6, 7–6 |
|[[Anders Järryd]] d. [[Mats Wilander]], 6–4, 7–5, 6–3 <br /> [[Boris Becker]] d. [[Stefan Edberg]] 7–6, 7–6, 4–6, 7–6 |
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|May 11||[[Forest Hills, Queens|Forest Hills]] |
|May 11||[[Forest Hills, Queens|Forest Hills]], USA ||[[WCT Tournament of Champions|Shearson Lehman Brothers Tournament of Champions]]||Nabisco Grand Prix||$500,000<br />Clay (Har-Tru)|| {{flagicon|FRA}} [[Yannick Noah]] d. {{flagicon|ARG}} [[Guillermo Vilas]], 7–6, 6–0 |
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|[[Yannick Noah]] d. [[Ivan Lendl]], 6–3, 7–5 <br /> [[Guillermo Vilas]] d. [[Martín Jaite]], 6–3, 6–3 |
|[[Yannick Noah]] d. [[Ivan Lendl]], 6–3, 7–5 <br /> [[Guillermo Vilas]] d. [[Martín Jaite]], 6–3, 6–3 |
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===WCT 1987=== |
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|Apr 12||[[Dallas]], USA ||[[1987 WCT Finals|WCT Finals]]||Nabisco Grand Prix||$500,000<br />Carpet|| {{flagicon|TCH}} [[Miloslav Mečíř]] d. {{flagicon|USA}} [[John McEnroe]], 6–0, 3–6, 6–2, 6–2 |
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|[[Miloslav Mečíř]] d. [[Andrés Gómez]], 6–7, 7–6, 6–4, 6–2 <br /> [[John McEnroe]] d. [[Stefan Edberg]], 7–6, 6–7, 7–6, 6–4 |
|[[Miloslav Mečíř]] d. [[Andrés Gómez]], 6–7, 7–6, 6–4, 6–2 <br /> [[John McEnroe]] d. [[Stefan Edberg]], 7–6, 6–7, 7–6, 6–4 |
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|May 10||[[Forest Hills, Queens|Forest Hills]] |
|May 10||[[Forest Hills, Queens|Forest Hills]], USA ||[[WCT Tournament of Champions|Shearson Lehman Brothers Tournament of Champions]]||Nabisco Grand Prix||$500,000<br />Clay (Har-Tru)|| {{flagicon|ECU}} [[Andrés Gómez]] d. {{flagicon|FRA}} [[Yannick Noah]], 6–4, 7–6, 7–6 |
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|[[Andrés Gómez]] d. [[Boris Becker]], 4–6, 6–4, 6–3 <br /> [[Yannick Noah]] d. [[Slobodan Živojinović]], 6–3, 7–5 |
|[[Andrés Gómez]] d. [[Boris Becker]], 4–6, 6–4, 6–3 <br /> [[Yannick Noah]] d. [[Slobodan Živojinović]], 6–3, 7–5 |
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|Oct 11||[[Scottsdale, Arizona|Scottsdale]], USA ||WCT Scottsdale Open||Nabisco Grand Prix||$232,000<br />Hard|| {{flagicon|USA}} [[Brad Gilbert]] d. {{flagicon|USA}} [[Eliot Teltscher]], 6–2, 6–2 |
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|[[Brad Gilbert]] d. [[Michael Chang]] 6–3, 6–4 <br /> [[Eliot Teltscher]] d. [[David Pate]] 7–6, 7–5 |
|[[Brad Gilbert]] d. [[Michael Chang]] 6–3, 6–4 <br /> [[Eliot Teltscher]] d. [[David Pate]] 7–6, 7–5 |
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===WCT 1988=== |
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|Apr 3||[[Dallas]], USA ||[[1988 WCT Finals|WCT Finals]]||Nabisco Grand Prix||$500,000<br />Carpet|| {{flagicon|FRG}} [[Boris Becker]] d. {{flagicon|SWE}} [[Stefan Edberg]], 6–4, 1–6, 7–5, 6–2 |
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|[[Boris Becker]] d. [[Brad Gilbert]], 6–4, 6–2, 6–1 <br /> [[Stefan Edberg]] d. [[Yannick Noah]], 6–2, 4–6, 6–3, 6–3 |
|[[Boris Becker]] d. [[Brad Gilbert]], 6–4, 6–2, 6–1 <br /> [[Stefan Edberg]] d. [[Yannick Noah]], 6–2, 4–6, 6–3, 6–3 |
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|May 8||[[Forest Hills, Queens|Forest Hills]] |
|May 8||[[Forest Hills, Queens|Forest Hills]], USA ||[[WCT Tournament of Champions|Eagle Tournament of Champions]]||Nabisco Grand Prix||$485,000<br />Clay (Har-Tru)|| {{flagicon|USA}} [[Andre Agassi]] d. {{flagicon|YUG}} [[Slobodan Živojinović]], 7–5, 7–6, 7–5 |
||
|[[Andre Agassi]] d. [[Aaron Krickstein]], 6–3, 6–3 <br /> [[Slobodan Živojinović]] d. [[Luiz Mattar]], 7–6, 6–3 |
|[[Andre Agassi]] d. [[Aaron Krickstein]], 6–3, 6–3 <br /> [[Slobodan Živojinović]] d. [[Luiz Mattar]], 7–6, 6–3 |
||
|-valign=top |
|-valign=top |
||
| |
|Oct 9||[[Scottsdale, Arizona|Scottsdale]], USA ||WCT Eagle Classic||Nabisco Grand Prix||$297,000<br />Hard|| {{flagicon|SWE}} [[Mikael Pernfors]] d. {{flagicon|USA}} [[Glenn Layendecker]], 6–2, 6–4 |
||
|[[Mikael Pernfors]] d. [[Kevin Curren]], 4–6, 6–2, 6–3 <br /> [[Glenn Layendecker]] d. [[Jim Pugh]], 3–6, 6–4, 6–1 |
|[[Mikael Pernfors]] d. [[Kevin Curren]], 4–6, 6–2, 6–3 <br /> [[Glenn Layendecker]] d. [[Jim Pugh]], 3–6, 6–4, 6–1 |
||
|} |
|} |
||
=== |
===WCT 1989=== |
||
1989 was the final year of the WCT tour. Only three events were organized, all of them were incorporated into the [[1989 Nabisco Grand Prix|Nabisco Grand Prix]] and gaining ATP Ranking points. |
1989 was the final year of the WCT tour. Only three events were organized, all of them were incorporated into the [[1989 Nabisco Grand Prix|Nabisco Grand Prix]] and gaining ATP Ranking points. |
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!width=" |
!width="14%" align="top"|Tournament |
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!width="9%" align="top"|Category |
!width="9%" align="top"|Category |
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!width=" |
!width="8%" align="top"|Prize Money/<br />Surface |
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!width=" |
!width="22%" align="top"|Final |
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!width="20%" align="top"|Semifinals |
!width="20%" align="top"|Semifinals |
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|Mar 5||[[Dallas]], USA ||[[1989 WCT Finals|WCT Finals]]||Nabisco Grand Prix||$500,000<br />Carpet|| {{flagicon|USA}} [[John McEnroe]] d. {{flagicon|USA}} [[Brad Gilbert]], 6–3, 6–3, 7–6 |
||
|[[John McEnroe]] d. [[Ivan Lendl]], 6–7, 7–6, 6–2, 7–5 <br /> [[Brad Gilbert]] d. [[Mikael Pernfors]], 6–3, 6–7, 6–3, 6–3 |
|[[John McEnroe]] d. [[Ivan Lendl]], 6–7, 7–6, 6–2, 7–5 <br /> [[Brad Gilbert]] d. [[Mikael Pernfors]], 6–3, 6–7, 6–3, 6–3 |
||
|-valign=top |
|-valign=top |
||
| |
|Mar 12||[[Scottsdale, Arizona|Scottsdale]], USA ||WCT Eagle Classic||Nabisco Grand Prix||$297,000<br />Hard|| {{flagicon|TCH}} [[Ivan Lendl]] d. {{flagicon|SWE}} [[Stefan Edberg]], 6–2, 6–3 |
||
|[[Ivan Lendl]] d. [[Emilio Sánchez]], 6–2, 3–6, 6–3 <br /> [[Stefan Edberg]] d. [[Amos Mansdorf]], 6–7, 6–4, 6–1 |
|[[Ivan Lendl]] d. [[Emilio Sánchez]], 6–2, 3–6, 6–3 <br /> [[Stefan Edberg]] d. [[Amos Mansdorf]], 6–7, 6–4, 6–1 |
||
|-valign=top |
|-valign=top |
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|May 8||[[Forest Hills, Queens|Forest Hills]] |
|May 8||[[Forest Hills, Queens|Forest Hills]], USA ||[[WCT Tournament of Champions|Eagle Tournament of Champions]]||Nabisco Grand Prix||$485,000<br />Clay (Har-Tru)|| {{flagicon|TCH}} [[Ivan Lendl]] d. {{flagicon|PER}} [[Jaime Yzaga]], 6–2, 6–1 |
||
|[[Ivan Lendl]] d. [[Andre Agassi]], 6–2, 6–3 <br /> [[Jaime Yzaga]] d. [[Michael Chang]], 6–4, 6–3 |
|[[Ivan Lendl]] d. [[Andre Agassi]], 6–2, 6–3 <br /> [[Jaime Yzaga]] d. [[Michael Chang]], 6–4, 6–3 |
||
|} |
|} |
||
=== |
===WCT 1990=== |
||
There was no WCT tour in 1990, when the ATP established its own circuit named the [[ATP Tour]], however there was one (final) tournament sanctioned by WCT.<ref name=dissolution/> The Forest Hills WCT at [[West Side Tennis Club]] was moved from [[Har-Tru]] green clay to hardcourts and run as special non-ATP Tour event. [[Ivan Lendl]] stamped his WCT dominance winning the very last title. |
There was no WCT tour in 1990, when the ATP established its own circuit named the [[ATP Tour]], however there was one (final) tournament sanctioned by WCT.<ref name=dissolution/> The Forest Hills WCT at [[West Side Tennis Club]] was moved from [[Har-Tru]] green clay to hardcourts and run as special non-ATP Tour event. [[Ivan Lendl]] stamped his WCT dominance winning the very last title. |
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!width=" |
!width="14%" align="top"|Tournament |
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!width="9%" align="top"|Category |
!width="9%" align="top"|Category |
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!width=" |
!width="8%" align="top"|Prize Money/<br />Surface |
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!width=" |
!width="22%" align="top"|Final |
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!width="20%" align="top"|Semifinals |
!width="20%" align="top"|Semifinals |
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|-valign=top |
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|Aug 26||[[Forest Hills, Queens|Forest Hills]] |
|Aug 26||[[Forest Hills, Queens|Forest Hills]], USA ||[[WCT Tournament of Champions]]||Special event||$500,000<br />Hard|| {{flagicon|TCH}} [[Ivan Lendl]] d. {{flagicon|USA}} [[Aaron Krickstein]], 6–4, 6–7, 6–3 |
||
|[[Ivan Lendl]] d. [[Henri Leconte]], 6–7, 6–3, 6–1, <br /> |
|[[Ivan Lendl]] d. [[Henri Leconte]], 6–7, 6–3, 6–1, <br /> |
||
|} |
|} |
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== |
==WCT Year-end Championship Finals== |
||
{{main article|WCT Finals}} |
{{main article|WCT Finals}} |
||
The WCT Finals were usually held in [[Dallas]]. The 1971 quarterfinals and semifinals were played in [[Houston]], and the final was played at the [[Dallas Memorial Auditorium|Memorial Auditorium]] in Dallas. The 1972–1979 editions were played at the [[Moody Coliseum]], and the 1980–1989 tournaments at [[Reunion Arena]] in Dallas. |
The WCT Finals were usually held in [[Dallas]]. The 1971 quarterfinals and semifinals were played in [[Houston]], and the final was played at the [[Dallas Memorial Auditorium|Memorial Auditorium]] in Dallas. The 1972–1979 editions were played at the [[Moody Coliseum]], and the 1980–1989 tournaments at [[Reunion Arena]] in Dallas. |
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| [[1971 World Championship Tennis Finals|1971]] || {{flagicon|AUS}} [[Ken Rosewall]] || {{flagicon|AUS}} [[Rod Laver]] || 6–4, 1–6, 7–6<sup>(7–3)</sup>, 7–6<sup>(7–4)</sup> |
| [[1971 World Championship Tennis Finals|1971]] || {{flagicon|AUS}} [[Ken Rosewall]] || {{flagicon|AUS}} [[Rod Laver]] || 6–4, 1–6, 7–6<sup>(7–3)</sup>, 7–6<sup>(7–4)</sup> |
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|- |
|- |
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| [[1972 World Championship Tennis Finals|1972]] || {{flagicon|AUS}} |
| [[1972 World Championship Tennis Finals|1972]] || {{flagicon|AUS}} Ken Rosewall || {{flagicon|AUS}} Rod Laver || 4–6, 6–0, 6–3, 6–7, 7–6 |
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|- |
|- |
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| [[1972 World Championship Tennis Winter Finals|1972 winter]]{{efn|name=rome|played in Rome, Italy}} || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Arthur Ashe]] || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Robert Lutz (tennis)|Bob Lutz]] || 6–2, 3–6, 6–3, 3–6, 7–6 |
| [[1972 World Championship Tennis Winter Finals|1972 winter]]{{efn|name=rome|played in Rome, Italy}} || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Arthur Ashe]] || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Robert Lutz (tennis)|Bob Lutz]] || 6–2, 3–6, 6–3, 3–6, 7–6 |
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|- |
|- |
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| [[1973 World Championship Tennis Finals|1973]] || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Stan Smith]] || {{flagicon|USA}} |
| [[1973 World Championship Tennis Finals|1973]] || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Stan Smith]] || {{flagicon|USA}} Arthur Ashe || 6–3, 6–3, 4–6, 6–4 |
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|- |
|- |
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| [[1974 World Championship Tennis Finals|1974]] || {{flagicon|AUS}} [[John Newcombe]] || {{flagicon|SWE}} [[Björn Borg]] || 4–6, 6–3, 6–3, 6–2 |
| [[1974 World Championship Tennis Finals|1974]] || {{flagicon|AUS}} [[John Newcombe]] || {{flagicon|SWE}} [[Björn Borg]] || 4–6, 6–3, 6–3, 6–2 |
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|- |
|- |
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| [[1975 World Championship Tennis Finals|1975]] || {{flagicon|USA}} |
| [[1975 World Championship Tennis Finals|1975]] || {{flagicon|USA}} Arthur Ashe || {{flagicon|SWE}} Björn Borg || 3–6, 6–4, 6–4, 6–0 |
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|- |
|- |
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| [[1976 World Championship Tennis Finals|1976]] || {{flagicon|SWE}} |
| [[1976 World Championship Tennis Finals|1976]] || {{flagicon|SWE}} Björn Borg || {{flagicon|ARG}} [[Guillermo Vilas]] || 1–6, 6–1, 7–5, 6–1 |
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|- |
|- |
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| [[1977 World Championship Tennis Finals|1977]] || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Jimmy Connors]] || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Dick Stockton (tennis)|Dick Stockton]] || 6–7, 6–1, 6–4, 6–3 |
| [[1977 World Championship Tennis Finals|1977]] || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Jimmy Connors]] || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Dick Stockton (tennis)|Dick Stockton]] || 6–7, 6–1, 6–4, 6–3 |
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| [[1978 World Championship Tennis Finals|1978]] || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Vitas Gerulaitis]] || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Eddie Dibbs]] || 6–3, 6–2, 6–1 |
| [[1978 World Championship Tennis Finals|1978]] || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Vitas Gerulaitis]] || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Eddie Dibbs]] || 6–3, 6–2, 6–1 |
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|- |
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| [[1979 World Championship Tennis Finals|1979]] || {{flagicon|USA}} [[John McEnroe]] || {{flagicon|SWE}} |
| [[1979 World Championship Tennis Finals|1979]] || {{flagicon|USA}} [[John McEnroe]] || {{flagicon|SWE}} Björn Borg || 7–5, 4–6, 6–2, 7–6 |
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|- |
|- |
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| [[1980 World Championship Tennis Finals|1980]] || {{flagicon|USA}} |
| [[1980 World Championship Tennis Finals|1980]] || {{flagicon|USA}} Jimmy Connors || {{flagicon|USA}} John McEnroe || 2–6, 7–6, 6–1, 6–2 |
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|- |
|- |
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| [[1981 World Championship Tennis Finals|1981]] || {{flagicon|USA}} |
| [[1981 World Championship Tennis Finals|1981]] || {{flagicon|USA}} John McEnroe || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} [[Johan Kriek]] || 6–1, 6–2, 6–4 |
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|- |
|- |
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| [[1982 World Championship Tennis Finals|1982]] || {{flagicon|CZE}} [[Ivan Lendl]] || {{flagicon|USA}} |
| [[1982 World Championship Tennis Finals|1982]] || {{flagicon|CZE}} [[Ivan Lendl]] || {{flagicon|USA}} John McEnroe || 6–2, 3–6, 6–3, 6–3 |
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|- |
|- |
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| [[1982 World Championship Tennis Fall Finals|1982 fall]]{{efn|name=naples|played in [[Naples]], Italy}} || {{flagicon|CZE}} |
| [[1982 World Championship Tennis Fall Finals|1982 fall]]{{efn|name=naples|played in [[Naples]], Italy}} || {{flagicon|CZE}} Ivan Lendl || {{flagicon|POL}} [[Wojciech Fibak]] || 6–4, 6–2, 6–1 |
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|- |
|- |
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| [[1982 World Championship Tennis Winter Finals|1982 winter]]{{efn|name=detroit|played in [[Detroit, Michigan]] (held in January, 24-30, 1983)}}|| {{flagicon|CZE}} |
| [[1982 World Championship Tennis Winter Finals|1982 winter]]{{efn|name=detroit|played in [[Detroit, Michigan]] (held in January, 24-30, 1983)}}|| {{flagicon|CZE}} Ivan Lendl || {{flagicon|ARG}} [[Guillermo Vilas]] || 7–5, 6–2, 2–6, 6–4 |
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|- |
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| [[1983 World Championship Tennis Finals|1983]] || {{flagicon|USA}} |
| [[1983 World Championship Tennis Finals|1983]] || {{flagicon|USA}} John McEnroe || {{flagicon|CZE}} Ivan Lendl || 6–2, 4–6, 6–3, 6–7, 7–6 |
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|- |
|- |
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| [[1984 World Championship Tennis Finals|1984]] || {{flagicon|USA}} |
| [[1984 World Championship Tennis Finals|1984]] || {{flagicon|USA}} John McEnroe || {{flagicon|USA}} Jimmy Connors || 6–1, 6–2, 6–3 |
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| [[1985 Buick WCT Finals|1985]] || {{flagicon|CZE}} |
| [[1985 Buick WCT Finals|1985]] || {{flagicon|CZE}} Ivan Lendl || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Tim Mayotte]] || 7–6, 6–4, 6–1 |
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|- |
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| [[1986 Buick WCT Finals|1986]] || {{flagicon|SWE}} [[Anders Järryd]] || {{flagicon|FRG}} [[Boris Becker]] || 6–7, 6–1, 6–1, 6–4 |
| [[1986 Buick WCT Finals|1986]] || {{flagicon|SWE}} [[Anders Järryd]] || {{flagicon|FRG}} [[Boris Becker]] || 6–7, 6–1, 6–1, 6–4 |
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|- |
|- |
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| [[1987 WCT Finals|1987]] || {{flagicon|TCH}} [[Miloslav Mečíř]] || {{flagicon|USA}} |
| [[1987 WCT Finals|1987]] || {{flagicon|TCH}} [[Miloslav Mečíř]] || {{flagicon|USA}} John McEnroe || 6–0, 3–6, 6–2, 6–2 |
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|- |
|- |
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| [[1988 WCT Finals|1988]] || {{flagicon|FRG}} |
| [[1988 WCT Finals|1988]] || {{flagicon|FRG}} Boris Becker || {{flagicon|SWE}} [[Stefan Edberg]] || 6–4, 1–6, 7–5, 6–2 |
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|- |
|- |
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| [[1989 WCT Finals|1989]] || {{flagicon|USA}} |
| [[1989 WCT Finals|1989]] || {{flagicon|USA}} John McEnroe || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Brad Gilbert]] || 6–3, 6–3, 7–6 |
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|} |
|} |
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The first edition of the WCT Finals in 1971 was played in November, just a few days before [[Tennis Masters Cup|The Masters]], the equivalent of the WCT Finals for the rival [[Grand Prix tennis tournaments|Grand Prix circuit]]. Because of TV pressure, the second edition was held in May 1972 and most of the following editions were organized in between months of March and May. Nevertheless, in 1972 another edition, less important and with half the prize money, was held in November in Rome. The prize money offered to the winner, [[Arthur Ashe]], was |
The first edition of the WCT Finals in 1971 was played in November, just a few days before [[Tennis Masters Cup|The Masters]], the equivalent of the WCT Finals for the rival [[Grand Prix tennis tournaments|Grand Prix circuit]]. Because of TV pressure, the second edition was held in May 1972 and most of the following editions were organized in between months of March and May. Nevertheless, in 1972 another edition, less important and with half the prize money, was held in November in Rome. The prize money offered to the winner, [[Arthur Ashe]], was $25,000 compared to the $50,000 won by [[Ken Rosewall]] for the main edition in May. |
||
A decade later there were three editions of the WCT Finals; the most important one in Dallas, and the others in autumn in [[Naples]], Italy, and in winter (in January 1983) in [[Detroit, Michigan|Detroit]]. |
A decade later there were three editions of the WCT Finals; the most important one in Dallas, and the others in autumn in [[Naples]], Italy, and in winter (in January 1983) in [[Detroit, Michigan|Detroit]]. |
Revision as of 15:03, 4 December 2019
World Championship Tennis (WCT) was a tour for professional male tennis players established in 1968 (the first players signed a contract at the end of 1967) and lasted until the emergence of the ATP Tour in 1990. A number of tennis tournaments around the world were affiliated with WCT and players were ranked in a special WCT ranking according to their results in those tournaments.
The WCT had an important impact on the commercial development of tennis. It instituted a tie-breaker system and outfitted players with colored clothing, a radical idea at that time. WCT also strongly encouraged the audience to cheer for players, rather than politely applaud, as the more staid tennis audiences had done before. They publicly emphasized their prize money structure and special bonus pool as an incentive to attract top players.
History
World Championship Tennis was founded in September 1967 by New Orleans sports promoter David Dixon, who had earlier witnessed the dreary conditions of the professional circuit before the open era when he visited a poorly promoted match between Rod Laver and Ken Rosewall.[1] In August of that year, he had presented his idea of a pro tennis tour to Lamar Hunt and Al Hill Jr. who agreed to invest.[2][3] WCT became the major professional tennis tour of players under contract of the early seventies.
After starting with the "Handsome Eight", the original eight players (Dennis Ralston, John Newcombe, Tony Roche, Cliff Drysdale, Earl Buchholz, Niki Pilić, Roger Taylor and Pierre Barthès), the first WCT tournament was held in January 1968 in Sydney, Australia and used the VASSS scoring system. According to sportswriter Rod Humphries, this first event was a hastily organized tournament held in the parking lot of the Channel 7 television studios in Epping and was won by Tony Roche.[4] The first American WCT tournament was held in February 1968 in Kansas City.[3][5][6] In March 1968 Hunt and Hill took over Dixon's 50% stake in WCT and Dixon left the organization. WCT took a loss of $300,000 during its first year of operation. Al Hill, Jr. became president of WCT.[7]
By early 1970, the WCT had signed other players (Marty Riessen, Ray Moore, Tom Okker, Arthur Ashe) and in July it acquired the player contracts of the other major professional organization, the National Tennis League (NTL), which had under contract players from the former professional group of Jack Kramer, namely Rod Laver, Ken Rosewall and Pancho Gonzáles as well as Andrés Gimeno, Roy Emerson, and Fred Stolle.[8]
In 1971, the WCT circuit grew to 21 tournaments around the globe.[9] In July 1971, at its annual meeting, the International Lawn Tennis Federation (ILTF) voted to ban all WCT contract professionals from the ILTF tournaments and facilities from the beginning of 1972 onwards.[10] At the end of the 1971 WCT season, the top eight players from the season were seeded according to their WCT rankings and played a year-end championship tournament in November. This was held about two weeks before the similar championship of the rival Grand Prix circuit, called The Masters. For commercial reasons, from 1972 onward this championship, played on indoor carpet, was usually held in the spring in Dallas, Texas and became known as the WCT Finals. The tournament ran for 19 years and the last championship was held in 1989. The format for this event was adopted by the Association of Tennis Professionals for the year-end Tour Finals.
In April 1972 an agreement was reached between the ILTF and WCT that divided the 1973 tour in a WCT circuit that ran from January through May and a Grand Prix circuit that was scheduled for the rest of the year. Under this agreement WCT players were again allowed to play the Grand Prix tournaments.[11]
The WCT tour was merged into the Grand Prix tennis circuit in 1978. On 30 April 1981 WCT announced its withdrawal from the Grand Prix circuit and the establishment of its own full calendar season for 1982. According to Lamar Hunt the reasons for the withdrawal were the restrictions placed on them by the Men's Professional Council, the administrators of the Grand Prix circuit.[12] In January 1983, WCT sued the Men's International Professional Tennis Council (MIPTC), the Association of Tennis Professionals and the ITF, claiming unfair restriction of trade.[13] In November 1983 a settlement resulted in WCT's reincorporation into the Grand Prix with effect from 1985.[14]
1989 was the last season of WCT. The ATP established its own tennis circuit from 1990. On August 28, 1990, after the Tournament of Champions event at Forest Hills, WCT announced its dissolution.[15]
WCT also built and operated tennis clubs in the United States; WCT Lakeway World of Tennis in Lakeway (metro Austin), Texas and WCT Peachtree World of Tennis in Peachtree Corners (metro Atlanta), Georgia.[citation needed]
WCT by year
WCT 1985
WCT tournaments returned to the Grand Prix stage after a three-year absence during 1982–84. There were only four events. The titles were split between Ivan Lendl and John McEnroe, winning two each. While McEnroe entered into all four, Lendl played just two and won both. McEnroe grabbed WCT Houston title beating Kevin Curren in the final.
The WCT Finals in Dallas saw the unexpected defeat of McEnroe in the quarter-finals by Joakim Nyström in three straight sets. The title was captured by Lendl, whose success completed a triplicate of titles in three weeks: Fort Myers on hard, Monte Carlo on clay and Dallas on the carpet. Other players have won three, even four, tournaments in successive weeks in the Open Era, but never on different surfaces.[citation needed]
In Atlanta, McEnroe won the final over Paul Annacone, prevailing in three close sets. The WCT Tournament of Champions in Forest Hills ended with much anticipated final between Lendl and McEnroe. Despite winning only two of his last 12 matches over McEnroe in ATP tournaments, Lendl beat McEnroe 6–3 6–3.
Date | Location | Tournament | Category | Prize Money/ Surface |
Final | Semifinals |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mar 3 | Houston, USA | WCT Houston Shoot-Out | Nabisco Grand Prix | $300,000 Carpet |
John McEnroe d. Kevin Curren, 7–5, 6–1, 7–6 | John McEnroe d. Peter Fleming, 6–4, 6–0 |
Kevin Curren d. Shahar Perkiss, 6–2, 6–2 | ||||||
April 14 | Dallas, USA | Buick WCT Finals | Nabisco Grand Prix | $500,000 Carpet |
Ivan Lendl d. Tim Mayotte, 7–6, 6–4, 6–1 | Ivan Lendl d. Jimmy Connors, 6–3, 2–1 ret. |
Tim Mayotte d. Joakim Nyström, 6–4, 4–6, 6–2, 7–5 | ||||||
April 28 | Atlanta, USA | WCT Atlanta | Nabisco Grand Prix | $300,000 Carpet |
John McEnroe d. Paul Annacone, 7–6, 7–6, 6–2 | John McEnroe d. Mike Leach, 6–3, 6–3 |
Paul Annacone d. Kevin Curren, w/o | ||||||
May 12 | Forest Hills, USA | Shearson Lehman Brothers Tournament of Champions | Nabisco Grand Prix | $500,000 Clay (Har-Tru) |
Ivan Lendl d. John McEnroe, 6–3, 6–3 | Ivan Lendl d. Aaron Krickstein, 6–1, 2–6, 6–1 |
John McEnroe d. Henrik Sundström, 6–2, 3–6, 6–2 |
WCT 1986
The WCT Atlanta tournament was marked by early exits of both top seeds, Stefan Edberg and Boris Becker, in the first round. Edberg lost to Mikael Pernfors and Becker to eventual runner-up Tim Wilkison. In Dallas, Anders Järryd was the unexpected winner, having replaced the injured Ivan Lendl in the 12-player draw.
Date | Location | Tournament | Category | Prize Money/ Surface |
Final | Semifinals |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Apr 6 | Atlanta, USA | WCT Atlanta | Nabisco Grand Prix | $220,000 Carpet |
Kevin Curren d. Tim Wilkison, 7–6, 7–6 | Kevin Curren d. Brian Teacher, 6–4, 6–2 Tim Wilkison d. David Pate, 6–4, 2–6, 6–4 |
Apr 13 | Dallas, USA | Buick WCT Finals | Nabisco Grand Prix | $500,000 Carpet |
Anders Järryd d. Boris Becker, 6–7, 6–1, 6–1, 6–4 | Anders Järryd d. Mats Wilander, 6–4, 7–5, 6–3 Boris Becker d. Stefan Edberg 7–6, 7–6, 4–6, 7–6 |
May 11 | Forest Hills, USA | Shearson Lehman Brothers Tournament of Champions | Nabisco Grand Prix | $500,000 Clay (Har-Tru) |
Yannick Noah d. Guillermo Vilas, 7–6, 6–0 | Yannick Noah d. Ivan Lendl, 6–3, 7–5 Guillermo Vilas d. Martín Jaite, 6–3, 6–3 |
Oct 12 | Scottsdale, USA | WCT Scottsdale Open | Nabisco Grand Prix | $220,000 Hard |
John McEnroe d. Kevin Curren, 6–3, 3–6, 6–2 | John McEnroe d. David Pate, 6–3, 6–3 Kevin Curren d. Todd Witsken, 7–5, 6–7, 6–4 |
Nov 23 | Houston, USA | WCT Houston Shoot-Out | Nabisco Grand Prix | $220,000 Carpet |
Slobodan Živojinović d. Scott Davis, 6–1, 4–6, 6–3 | Slobodan Živojinović d. Derrick Rostagno, 6–4, 6–4 Scott Davis d. Eliot Teltscher, 7–5, 6–4 |
WCT 1987
Date | Location | Tournament | Category | Prize Money/ Surface |
Final | Semifinals |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Apr 12 | Dallas, USA | WCT Finals | Nabisco Grand Prix | $500,000 Carpet |
Miloslav Mečíř d. John McEnroe, 6–0, 3–6, 6–2, 6–2 | Miloslav Mečíř d. Andrés Gómez, 6–7, 7–6, 6–4, 6–2 John McEnroe d. Stefan Edberg, 7–6, 6–7, 7–6, 6–4 |
May 10 | Forest Hills, USA | Shearson Lehman Brothers Tournament of Champions | Nabisco Grand Prix | $500,000 Clay (Har-Tru) |
Andrés Gómez d. Yannick Noah, 6–4, 7–6, 7–6 | Andrés Gómez d. Boris Becker, 4–6, 6–4, 6–3 Yannick Noah d. Slobodan Živojinović, 6–3, 7–5 |
Oct 11 | Scottsdale, USA | WCT Scottsdale Open | Nabisco Grand Prix | $232,000 Hard |
Brad Gilbert d. Eliot Teltscher, 6–2, 6–2 | Brad Gilbert d. Michael Chang 6–3, 6–4 Eliot Teltscher d. David Pate 7–6, 7–5 |
WCT 1988
Date | Location | Tournament | Category | Prize Money/ Surface |
Final | Semifinals |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Apr 3 | Dallas, USA | WCT Finals | Nabisco Grand Prix | $500,000 Carpet |
Boris Becker d. Stefan Edberg, 6–4, 1–6, 7–5, 6–2 | Boris Becker d. Brad Gilbert, 6–4, 6–2, 6–1 Stefan Edberg d. Yannick Noah, 6–2, 4–6, 6–3, 6–3 |
May 8 | Forest Hills, USA | Eagle Tournament of Champions | Nabisco Grand Prix | $485,000 Clay (Har-Tru) |
Andre Agassi d. Slobodan Živojinović, 7–5, 7–6, 7–5 | Andre Agassi d. Aaron Krickstein, 6–3, 6–3 Slobodan Živojinović d. Luiz Mattar, 7–6, 6–3 |
Oct 9 | Scottsdale, USA | WCT Eagle Classic | Nabisco Grand Prix | $297,000 Hard |
Mikael Pernfors d. Glenn Layendecker, 6–2, 6–4 | Mikael Pernfors d. Kevin Curren, 4–6, 6–2, 6–3 Glenn Layendecker d. Jim Pugh, 3–6, 6–4, 6–1 |
WCT 1989
1989 was the final year of the WCT tour. Only three events were organized, all of them were incorporated into the Nabisco Grand Prix and gaining ATP Ranking points.
The 19th (and last) WCT Finals in Reunion Arena, Dallas saw John McEnroe win his fifth Dallas title. His semifinal with Ivan Lendl produced the best match of the tournament and McEnroe managed to beat Lendl for the first time in a little more than three and a half years. The tournament was negatively impacted by the withdrawals of Boris Becker (who did not appear at all) and Andre Agassi (walking off the court during a second set match with McEnroe). Brad Gilbert entered the event to fill the gap for Becker and surprisingly made it to the final. Later in spring, Lendl captured last two WCT titles in Scottsdale and Forest Hills[16] to close the WCT era.
Date | Location | Tournament | Category | Prize Money/ Surface |
Final | Semifinals |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mar 5 | Dallas, USA | WCT Finals | Nabisco Grand Prix | $500,000 Carpet |
John McEnroe d. Brad Gilbert, 6–3, 6–3, 7–6 | John McEnroe d. Ivan Lendl, 6–7, 7–6, 6–2, 7–5 Brad Gilbert d. Mikael Pernfors, 6–3, 6–7, 6–3, 6–3 |
Mar 12 | Scottsdale, USA | WCT Eagle Classic | Nabisco Grand Prix | $297,000 Hard |
Ivan Lendl d. Stefan Edberg, 6–2, 6–3 | Ivan Lendl d. Emilio Sánchez, 6–2, 3–6, 6–3 Stefan Edberg d. Amos Mansdorf, 6–7, 6–4, 6–1 |
May 8 | Forest Hills, USA | Eagle Tournament of Champions | Nabisco Grand Prix | $485,000 Clay (Har-Tru) |
Ivan Lendl d. Jaime Yzaga, 6–2, 6–1 | Ivan Lendl d. Andre Agassi, 6–2, 6–3 Jaime Yzaga d. Michael Chang, 6–4, 6–3 |
WCT 1990
There was no WCT tour in 1990, when the ATP established its own circuit named the ATP Tour, however there was one (final) tournament sanctioned by WCT.[15] The Forest Hills WCT at West Side Tennis Club was moved from Har-Tru green clay to hardcourts and run as special non-ATP Tour event. Ivan Lendl stamped his WCT dominance winning the very last title.
Date | Location | Tournament | Category | Prize Money/ Surface |
Final | Semifinals |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Aug 26 | Forest Hills, USA | WCT Tournament of Champions | Special event | $500,000 Hard |
Ivan Lendl d. Aaron Krickstein, 6–4, 6–7, 6–3 | Ivan Lendl d. Henri Leconte, 6–7, 6–3, 6–1, |
WCT Year-end Championship Finals
The WCT Finals were usually held in Dallas. The 1971 quarterfinals and semifinals were played in Houston, and the final was played at the Memorial Auditorium in Dallas. The 1972–1979 editions were played at the Moody Coliseum, and the 1980–1989 tournaments at Reunion Arena in Dallas.
Year | Champion | Runner-up | Score |
1971 | Ken Rosewall | Rod Laver | 6–4, 1–6, 7–6(7–3), 7–6(7–4) |
1972 | Ken Rosewall | Rod Laver | 4–6, 6–0, 6–3, 6–7, 7–6 |
1972 winter[a] | Arthur Ashe | Bob Lutz | 6–2, 3–6, 6–3, 3–6, 7–6 |
1973 | Stan Smith | Arthur Ashe | 6–3, 6–3, 4–6, 6–4 |
1974 | John Newcombe | Björn Borg | 4–6, 6–3, 6–3, 6–2 |
1975 | Arthur Ashe | Björn Borg | 3–6, 6–4, 6–4, 6–0 |
1976 | Björn Borg | Guillermo Vilas | 1–6, 6–1, 7–5, 6–1 |
1977 | Jimmy Connors | Dick Stockton | 6–7, 6–1, 6–4, 6–3 |
1978 | Vitas Gerulaitis | Eddie Dibbs | 6–3, 6–2, 6–1 |
1979 | John McEnroe | Björn Borg | 7–5, 4–6, 6–2, 7–6 |
1980 | Jimmy Connors | John McEnroe | 2–6, 7–6, 6–1, 6–2 |
1981 | John McEnroe | Johan Kriek | 6–1, 6–2, 6–4 |
1982 | Ivan Lendl | John McEnroe | 6–2, 3–6, 6–3, 6–3 |
1982 fall[b] | Ivan Lendl | Wojciech Fibak | 6–4, 6–2, 6–1 |
1982 winter[c] | Ivan Lendl | Guillermo Vilas | 7–5, 6–2, 2–6, 6–4 |
1983 | John McEnroe | Ivan Lendl | 6–2, 4–6, 6–3, 6–7, 7–6 |
1984 | John McEnroe | Jimmy Connors | 6–1, 6–2, 6–3 |
1985 | Ivan Lendl | Tim Mayotte | 7–6, 6–4, 6–1 |
1986 | Anders Järryd | Boris Becker | 6–7, 6–1, 6–1, 6–4 |
1987 | Miloslav Mečíř | John McEnroe | 6–0, 3–6, 6–2, 6–2 |
1988 | Boris Becker | Stefan Edberg | 6–4, 1–6, 7–5, 6–2 |
1989 | John McEnroe | Brad Gilbert | 6–3, 6–3, 7–6 |
The first edition of the WCT Finals in 1971 was played in November, just a few days before The Masters, the equivalent of the WCT Finals for the rival Grand Prix circuit. Because of TV pressure, the second edition was held in May 1972 and most of the following editions were organized in between months of March and May. Nevertheless, in 1972 another edition, less important and with half the prize money, was held in November in Rome. The prize money offered to the winner, Arthur Ashe, was $25,000 compared to the $50,000 won by Ken Rosewall for the main edition in May.
A decade later there were three editions of the WCT Finals; the most important one in Dallas, and the others in autumn in Naples, Italy, and in winter (in January 1983) in Detroit.
WCT final rankings by year
- 1971
- 1 Rod Laver
- 2 Tom Okker
- 3 Ken Rosewall
- 4 Cliff Drysdale
- 5 Arthur Ashe
- 6 John Newcombe
- 7 Marty Riessen
- 8 Bob Lutz
- 9 Roy Emerson
- 10 Andrés Gimeno
- 1972
(in fact second part of 1971 and first part of 1972)
- 1 Rod Laver
- 2 Ken Rosewall
- 3 Tom Okker
- 4 Cliff Drysdale
- 5 Marty Riessen
- 6 Arthur Ashe
- 7 Bob Lutz
- 8 John Newcombe
- 9 Roy Emerson
- 9 Charlie Pasarell
- 1972
(second part final standings). The first eight players played the 1972 autumn-winter WCT Finals held in Rome.
- 1 John Newcombe
- 2 Arthur Ashe
- 3 Tom Okker
- 4 Mark Cox
- 5 Cliff Drysdale
- 5 Marty Riessen
- 7 Bob Lutz
- 7 Niki Pilić
- 9 Roy Emerson
- 9 Anthony Roche
- 9 El Shafei
- 1973 [17]
The players were separated into two groups, A & B, with each group playing certain tournaments. The top 4 from each group qualified for the final at the end of the season.
Group A
|
Group B
|
- 1974
The group was divided into three groups, Red, Blue, and Green and the top 8 points winners qualified for the final (marked with*): 2 players by group plus the other two players having most points. Each group played separate tournaments except the Philadelphia tournament at the start of the season.
Red Group
|
Blue Group
|
Green Group
|
- 1975
The group was divided into three groups again, Red, Blue, and Green and the top 8 points winners qualified for the final (marked with *). Each group played separate tournaments except the Philadelphia tournament at the start of the season.
Red Group
|
Blue Group
|
Green Group
|
1976–1983: All the players were put back together and played the same tournaments.
1976 [18]
|
1977
|
1978
|
1979 [19]
|
1980
|
1981
|
- 1982 [20]
WCT expanded from the previous year and broke away from the Grand Prix for the year. There were three finals, Spring (Dallas) the most important one, Fall (Naples, Italy) and Winter (Detroit) and therefore three different points tables for each season :
Spring
|
Summer/Fall
|
Winter
|
- 1983
There were only 9 tournaments and the WCT were back with the Grand Prix circuit.
- 1 Lendl
- 2 McEnroe
- 3 Vilas
- 4 Gerulaitis
- 5 Clerc
- 6 McNamee
- 7 Smid
- 8 Fibak
- 9 Taroczy
- 10 Scanlon
WCT Challenge Cup
Some special events such as the Aetna World Cup (where the Australian pros and the US pros faced in a team event because in 1970, at the start of this event, contract pro players weren't allowed to enter the Davis Cup) or the Challenge Cup (an 8-man tournament) were held by the WCT organization.
List of WCT Challenge Cup winners
- 1976 – Honolulu – Ilie Năstase defeated Arthur Ashe, 6–3, 1–6, 6–7, 6–3, 6–1
- 1976/7 – Las Vegas – Ilie Năstase defeated Jimmy Connors, 3–6, 7–6, 6–4, 7–5
- 1977 – Las Vegas – Jimmy Connors defeated Roscoe Tanner, 6–2, 5–6, 3–6, 6–2, 6–5
- 1978 – Montego Bay – Ilie Năstase defeated Peter Fleming, 2–6, 5–6, 6–2, 6–4, 6–4
- 1979 – Montreal – Björn Borg defeated Jimmy Connors, 6–4, 6–2, 2–6, 6–4
- 1980 – Montreal – John McEnroe defeated Vijay Amritraj, 6–1, 6–2, 6–1
Notes
- ^ played in Rome, Italy
- ^ played in Naples, Italy
- ^ played in Detroit, Michigan (held in January, 24-30, 1983)
See also
References
- ^ John Barrett, ed. (1971). World of Tennis 1971. London: Queen Anne Press. pp. 141–144. ISBN 978-0362000917.
- ^ "Hunt gains breakthrough with TV tennis contract". The Windsor Star. November 4, 1971 – via Google News Archive.
- ^ a b Tom Koch (March 1988). "It Was 20 Years Ago Today". D Magazine.
- ^ "Roche at Top Form in Final" Sydney Morning Herald, January 26, 1968. Page 12
- ^ Frank Deford (February 12, 1968). "Now Tennis Goes Mod". Sports Illustrated. Vol. 28, no. 6. pp. 12–15.
- ^ "Tennis Amateur Says Wage Runs About $9,600 a Year". Lawrence Journal-World. AP. January 4, 1968. p. Eleven.
- ^ Bob Briner; Frank Deford (April 19, 1971). "But It Looked Like A Great New Racket". Sports Illustrated. Vol. 34, no. 16. pp. 56–64.
- ^ "Lamar Hunt obtains six pro tennis stars". Eugene Register-Guard. July 29, 1970. p. 2D – via Google News Archive.
- ^ Wind, Herbert Warren (1979). Game, Set, and Match : The Tennis Boom of the 1960s and 70s (1. ed.). New York: Dutton. pp. 65–70. ISBN 0525111409.
- ^ Bud Collins (2010). The Bud Collins History of Tennis (2nd ed.). [New York]: New Chapter Press. p. 160. ISBN 978-0942257700.
- ^ "ITF – History". International Tennis Federation (ITF).
- ^ John Barrett, ed. (1982). World of Tennis 1982. London: Queen Anne Press. pp. 167–177. ISBN 0356085961.
- ^ Curry Kirkpatrick (May 16, 1983). "And Suddenly He's A Man Of Clay". Sports Illustrated. Vol. 58, no. 20. pp. 40–47.
- ^ John Barrett, ed. (1984). World of Tennis 1984. London: Willow Books. p. 11. ISBN 9780002181228.
- ^ a b "W.C.T. Out of Business". The New York Times. August 28, 1990.
- ^ "Some Changes At Forest Hills". The New York Times. April 29, 1989.
- ^ John Barrett, ed. (1974). World of Tennis '74. London: Queen Anne Press. pp. 167, 168. ISBN 978-0362001679.
- ^ John Barrett, ed. (1977). World of Tennis 1977. London: Macdonald and Jane's. p. 142. ISBN 978-0354090117.
- ^ John Barrett, ed. (1980). World of Tennis 1980. London: Queen Anne Press. p. 179. ISBN 9780362020120.
- ^ John Barrett, ed. (1983). World of Tennis 1983. London: Queen Anne Pres. p. 161. ISBN 978-0356093840.
External links
- WorldChampionshipTennis.com: The official website of World Championship Tennis, LLC, owner of the historical archives of World Championship Tennis.
- The $35,000 Racquet Dave Cody, Commonwealth Times 1981-02-17, pages 1,12-13,24, Description of 1981 Richmond WCT.