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1971 ILTF Women's Tennis Circuit

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Summary

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Virginia Slims Circuit (19) ILTF Pepsi Grand Prix (17) ILTF World Circuit (125) The 1971 ILTF Women's Tennis Circuit was the 58th season since the formation of the International Lawn Tennis Federation in 1913, it consisted of a number of tennis tournaments for female tennis players.

It was composed of three circuits the first Virginia Slims Circuit with 19 events approved by the ILTF, and the first Grand Prix Circuit with 17 events under the auspices of the ILTF and the regular ILTF World Circuit, with 125 events makes up the majority of the 165 tournaments staged this year.

Circuits

ILTF Women's Grand Prix

The 1971 ILTF Pepsi-Cola Women's Grand Prix was a tennis circuit administered by the International Lawn Tennis Federation. The circuit consisted of the four modern Grand Slam tournaments and open tournaments recognised by the ILTF. This article covers all tournaments that were part of that year's Women's Grand Prix.

Virginia Slims Circuit

Prior to the establishment of this circuit there was an inequality between the prize money purses for male and female tennis players which gave rise to complaints from a number of the leading female tennis players of the time. Nine of them, including Billie Jean King, became later known as the "Original 9" after being banned from the then existing multi-gender invitational professional events run by the influential United States Lawn Tennis Association (USLTA) due to their boycotting of the Pacific Southwest Championships. This resulted in the first Virginia Slims-sponsored event being held in September 1970 in Houston, an event which laid the groundwork for the establishment of the annual Virginia Slims Circuit the following year. In 1971 the total prize money available from the Virginia Slims events was $309,100 and Billie Jean King became the first female athlete in history to earn more than $100,000 in one season.

ILTF sanctioned tournaments

The worldwide ILTF sanctioned tournaments consisted of 125 events that were not part of the sponsored Virginia Slims and Grand Prix circuits they made up the majority of the 165 tournaments staged this year. This years singles title leader Billie Jean King won her 17 tournaments across all three circuits.

First tournament began on 30 December 1970 with the Western Australian Open in Perth, Australia and ended on 25 December with the Border Championships, East London, South Africa.

Schedule

This is a calendar of all events sponsored by Virginia Slims in the year 1971, with player progression documented from the quarterfinals stage. The table also includes the Grand Slam tournaments and the 1971 Federation Cup.

;Key

Team events

December (1970)

WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists
29 DecFederation Cup
Perth, Australia
Federation Cup
Grass – 14 teams knockout
3–0
Western Australian Open
Perth, Australia
Non-tour eventAUS Margaret Court
6–1, 6–2GBR Virginia WadeFRA Gail Chanfreau
NED Betty StöveGBR Winnie Shaw
USA Patti Hogan
RSA Laura Rossouw
AUS Lesley Hunt
AUS Margaret Court
AUS Evonne Goolagong
6–4, 7–5GBR Winnie Shaw
GBR Virginia Wade

January

WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists
4 JanBritish Motor Cars Invitational
San Francisco, United States
Virginia Slims
Hard – $15,200 – 16S/8D
Singles – DoublesUSA Billie Jean King
6–3, 6–4USA Rosie CasalsGBR Ann Jones (3rd)
USA Nancy Richey (4th)FRA Françoise Dürr
AUS Kerry Melville
USA Jane Bartkowicz
USA Mary-Ann Eisel
USA Rosie Casals
USA Billie Jean King
6–4, 6–7, 6–1FRA Françoise Dürr
GBR Ann Jones
New South Wales Open
Sydney
Non-tour event
Singles – DoublesAUS Margaret Court
6–2, 6–2URS Olga MorozovaFRA Gail Chanfreau
JPN Kazuko SawamatsuRSA Brenda Kirk
USA Kristien Kemmer
NED Betty Stöve
USA Patti Hogan
AUS Margaret Court
URS Olga Morozova
6–2, 6–0AUS Helen Gourlay
AUS Kerry Harris
11 JanBillie Jean King Invitational
Long Beach, United States
Virginia Slims
Hard – $14,000 – 16S/8D
Singles – DoublesUSA Billie Jean King
6–1, 6–2USA Rosie CasalsGBR Ann Jones
USA Nancy RicheyUSA Stephanie Johnson
USA Valerie Ziegenfuss
USA Denise Carter
USA Mary-Ann Eisel
USA Rosie Casals
USA Billie Jean King
7–5, 6–3FRA Françoise Dürr
GBR Ann Jones
18 JanVirginia Slims of Milwaukee
Milwaukee, United States
Virginia Slims
Hard (i) – $12,500 – 16S/8D
Singles – DoublesUSA Billie Jean King
6–1, 6–2USA Rosie CasalsGBR Ann Jones
FRA Françoise DürrUSA Mary-Ann Eisel
AUS Karen Krantzcke
USA Valerie Ziegenfuss
USA Denise Carter
USA Rosie Casals
USA Billie Jean King
6–3, 1–6, 6–2FRA Françoise Dürr
GBR Ann Jones
25 JanVirginia Slims of Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City, United States
Virginia Slims
Hard – $12,500 – 16S/4D
Singles – DoublesUSA Billie Jean King
1–6, 7–6, 6–4USA Rosie CasalsGBR Ann Jones
FRA Françoise DürrAUS Kerry Melville
USA Denise Carter
USA Tory Fretz
USA Mary-Ann Eisel
USA Rosie Casals
USA Billie Jean King
6–7, 6–0, 7–5USA Mary-Ann Eisel
USA Valerie Ziegenfuss
Victoria Championships
Melbourne, Australia
Non-tour event
SinglesAUS Evonne Goolagong
7–6, 7–6AUS Margaret CourtJPN Kazuko Sawamatsu
GBR Winnie ShawUSA Patti Hogan
URS Olga Morozova
NED Trudy Walhof
FRA Gail Chanfreau

February

WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists
1 FebVirginia Slims of Chattanooga
Chattanooga, United States
Virginia Slims
Hard (i) – $12,700 – 16S/8D
Singles – DoublesUSA Billie Jean King
6–4, 6–1GBR Ann JonesFRA Françoise Dürr
AUS Kerry MelvilleUSA Jane Bartkowicz
AUS Karen Krantzcke
USA Kristy Pigeon
USA Rosie Casals
USA Rosie Casals
USA Billie Jean King
6–4, 7–5FRA Françoise Dürr
GBR Ann Jones
BP New Zealand Championships
Christchurch, New Zealand
Non-tour event
Singles – DoublesAUS Evonne Goolagong
6–1, 6–4NED Betty StöveUSA Kathleen Harter
FRA Gail ChanfreauRSA Laura Rossouw
NED Trudy Walhof
USA Patty Ann Reese
GBR Winnie Shaw
USA Kathleen Harter
GBR Winnie Shaw
6–4, 4–6, 7–5FRA Gail Chanfreau
AUS Evonne Goolagong
8 FebPhiladelphia Indoor Championships
Philadelphia, United States
Virginia Slims
Hard (i) – $12,500 – 16S
Singles – DoublesUSA Rosie Casals
6–2, 3–6, 6–2FRA Françoise DürrUSA Billie Jean King
GBR Ann JonesUSA Tory Fretz
USA Denise Carter
AUS Kerry Melville
AUS Judy Tegart-Dalton
USA Rosie Casals
USA Billie Jean King
15 FebStation WLOD
Fort Lauderdale, United States
Virginia Slims
Clay – $10,000 – 16S
Singles – DoublesFRA Françoise Dürr
6–3, 3–6, 6–3USA Billie Jean KingAUS Kerry Melville
USA Rosie CasalsAUS Judy Dalton
GBR Ann Jones
USA Denise Carter
USA Valerie Ziegenfuss
USSR Championships
Moscow, Soviet Union
Non-tour event
Singles – DoublesURS Olga Morozova
6–1, 7–5URS Maria KullURS Yelena Granaturova
URS Anna YeremeyevaURS Yekaterina Kryuchkova
URS Marina Kroschina
URS Eugenia Birioukova
URS Rausa Islanova
URS Eugenia Birioukova
URS Marina Kroschina
7–6, 5–7, 7–5URS Yelena Granaturova
URS Olga Morozova
22 FebVirginia Slims National Indoors
Winchester, United States
Virginia Slims
Hard (i) – $12,500 – 16S/2D
Singles – DoublesUSA Billie Jean King
4–6, 6–2, 6–3USA Rosie CasalsGBR Ann Jones
FRA Françoise DürrAUS Judy Tegart-Dalton
USA Jane Bartkowicz
USA Kristy Pigeon
AUS Kerry Melville
USA Rosie Casals
USA Billie Jean King
6–4, 7–5FRA Françoise Dürr
GBR Ann Jones

March

WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists
1 MarBenson & Hedges Centennial Open
Auckland, New Zealand
Non-tour event
Singles – DoublesAUS Margaret Court
3–6, 7–6(5–1), 6–2AUS Evonne GoolagongGBR Winnie Shaw
USA Patti HoganUSA Sharon Walsh
AUS Lesley Bowrey
AUS Lesley Hunt
NZL Marilyn Pryde
AUS Margaret Court
AUS Evonne Goolagong
7–6, 6–0AUS Lesley Bowrey
GBR Winnie Shaw
8 MarDunlop Australian Open
Sydney, Australia
Grand Slam
Grass – 30S/14D
Singles – DoublesAUS Margaret Court
2–6, 7–6, 7–5AUS Evonne GoolagongAUS Lesley Hunt
GBR Winnie ShawAUS Helen Gourlay
AUS Jan O'Neill
AUS Norma Marsh
USA Sharon Walsh
AUS Margaret Court
AUS Evonne Goolagong
6–0, 6–0AUS Jill Emmerson
AUS Lesley Hunt
15 MarVirginia Slims US Indoors
Detroit, United States
Virginia Slims
Hard (i) – $10,000 – 8S/2D
Singles – DoublesUSA Billie Jean King
3–6, 6–1, 6–2USA Rosie CasalsGBR Ann Jones
USA Mary-Ann EiselUSA Valerie Ziegenfuss
USA Tory Fretz
AUS Wendy Gilchrist
AUS Judy Tegart-Dalton
USA Mary-Ann Eisel
USA Valerie Ziegenfuss
2–6, 6–2, 6–3AUS Judy Tegart-Dalton
USA Jane Bartkowicz
22 MarVirginia Slims of New York
New York, United States
Virginia Slims
Hard (i) – $15,600 – 20S
Singles – DoublesUSA Rosie Casals
6–4, 6–4USA Billie Jean King3rd: GBR Ann Jones
4th: FRA Françoise DürrUSA Julie Heldman
AUS Kerry Melville
USA Cecilia Martinez
USA Jane Bartkowicz
29 MarCaribe Hilton Invitational
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Virginia Slims
$10,000 – 24S/11D
Singles – DoublesGBR Ann Jones
6–4, 6–4USA Nancy RicheyUSA Mary-Ann Eisel
USA Jane BartkowiczUSA Denise Carter
USA Tory Fretz
AUS Judy Tegart-Dalton
USA Rosie Casals
FRA Françoise Dürr
GBR Ann Jones
7–6, 6–3AUS Karen Krantzcke
AUS Kerry Melville
Natal Open Championships
Durban, South Africa
Non-tour event
Singles – DoublesAUS Margaret Court
6–2, 6–1USA Patti HoganGBR Virginia Wade
FRG Heide SchildeknechtAUS Lesley Hunt
GBR Winnie Shaw
AUS Evonne Goolagong
FRG Helga Niessen Masthoff
AUS Margaret Court
AUS Evonne Goolagong
3–6, 6–3, 6–3AUS Kerry Harris
GBR Winnie Shaw

April

WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists
5 AprVirginia Slims Masters
St. Petersburg, United States
Virginia Slims
Clay – $10,000 – 16S/15Q/11D
Singles – DoublesUSA Chris Evert
6–1, 6–2USA Julie HeldmanUSA Billie Jean King
USA Rosie CasalsAUS Karen Krantzcke
USA Judy Alvarez
AUS Kerry Melville
AUS Judy Tegart-Dalton
FRA Françoise Dürr
GBR Ann Jones
7–6, 3–6, 6–3AUS Judy Tegart-Dalton
USA Julie Heldman
Monte Carlo Open Championships
Monte Carlo, Monaco
Non-tour event
16S/4D
Singles – DoublesFRA Gail Chanfreau
6–4, 4–6, 6–4NED Betty StöveSWE Christina Sandberg
FRA Odile de RoubinITA Lucia Bassi
TCH Marie Neumannová
HUN Katalin Borka
ITA Lea Pericoli
FRG Katja Ebbinghaus
NED Betty Stöve
6–4, 6–3ITA Lucia Bassi
ITA Lea Pericoli
South Africa Open
Johannesburg, South Africa
Non-tour event
26S/8D
Singles – DoublesAUS Margaret Court
6–3, 6–1AUS Evonne GoolagongGBR Winnie Shaw
GBR Virginia WadeAUS Kerry Harris
FRG Helga Niessen Masthoff
RSA Pat Walkden
USA Patti Hogan
AUS Margaret Court
AUS Evonne Goolagong
6–3, 6–2RSA Brenda Kirk
RSA Laura Rossouw
12 AprCaesar's Palace World Pro Championships
Las Vegas, United States
Virginia Slims
Hard – $29,200 – 16S/13Q/10D
Singles – DoublesGBR Ann Jones
7–5, 6–4USA Billie Jean KingUSA Julie Heldman
AUS Judy DaltonUSA Nancy Richey
FRA Françoise Dürr
USA Mary-Ann Eisel
USA Rosie Casals
FRA Françoise Dürr
GBR Ann Jones
0–6, 6–2, 6–4USA Rosie Casals
USA Billie Jean King
USA National Bank Open
Charlotte, North Carolina, US
Non-tour event
6S/2D
Singles – DoublesUSA Chris Evert
6–2, 6–0USA Laura duPontUSA Janet Newberry
USA Eliza PandeUSA Sue Stap
USA Beverly Cansler
USA Chris Evert
USA Sue Stap
6–3, 1–6, 6–3USA Janet Newberry
USA Eliza Pande
19 AprVirginia Slims of San Diego
San Diego, United States
Virginia Slims
Hard – $12,500 – 16S/4D
Singles – DoublesUSA Billie Jean King
4–6, 7–5, 6–1USA Rosie CasalsUSA Julie Heldman
USA Valerie ZiegenfussRSA Esmé Emmanuel
AUS Kerry Melville
USA Tory Fretz
USA Kristy Pigeon
USA Rosie Casals
USA Billie Jean King
6–7, 6–2, 6–3FRA Françoise Dürr
AUS Judy Tegart-Dalton
Catania Open Grand Prix
Catania, Italy
Non-tour event
15S/8D
Singles – DoublesGBR Virginia Wade
6–0, 6–3FRA Gail ChanfreauFRG Helga Schultze
RSA Laura RossouwTCH Marie Neumannová
RSA Brenda Kirk
TCH Miloslava Holubová
USA Pam Teeguarden
USA Pam Teeguarden
GBR Virginia Wade
6–4, 6–4FRA Gail Chanfreau
FRG Helga Schultze
26 AprRothmans Sutton Hard Courts
Sutton, United Kingdom
Non-tour event
Singles – DoublesAUS Evonne Goolagong
7–5, 2–6, 6–3GBR Joyce WilliamsGBR Jill Cooper
GBR Shirley BrasherAUS Barbara Hawcroft
GBR Nell Truman
IRE Susan Minford
GBR Sally Holdsworth
AUS Evonne Goolagong
GBR Joyce Williams
6–4, 6–3USA Shirley Brasher
USA Margaret Cooper
River Plate Championships
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Non-tour event
Singles – DoublesURS Olga Morozova
6–0, 6–3ITA Anna-Maria NasuelliNED Betty Stöve
ARG Beatriz AraujoARG Marta Fernández Ruiz
ARG Raquel Giscafré
ARG Inés Roget
ARG Graciela Morán
URS Olga Morozova
NED Betty Stöve
7–5, 6–1ARG Beatriz Araujo
ARG Ines Roget

May

WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists
3 MayItalian Open
Rome, Italy
Non-tour event
Singles – DoublesGBR Virginia Wade
6–4, 6–4FRG Helga Niessen MasthoffGER Helga Schultze
FRA Gail ChanfreauTCH Marie Neumannová
AUS Lesley Bowrey
ITA Lea Pericoli
RSA Laura Rossouw
FRG Helga Niessen Masthoff
GBR Virginia Wade
5–7, 6–2, 6–2AUS Lesley Bowrey
AUS Helen Gourlay
Tulsa Claycourts
Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States
Non-tour event
10S/4D
Singles – DoublesUSA Chris Evert
6–0, 6–3USA Mary-Ann EiselUSA Laura duPont
USA Marcie LouieUSA Jeanne Evert
USA Karin Benson
USA Kathy Kraft
USA Sue Stap
USA Mary-Ann Eisel
USA Karin Benson
2–6, 7–5, 7–5USA Chris Evert
USA Jeanne Evert
10 MayLondon Hard Court Championships
London, England
Grand Prix Circuit (C)AUS Margaret Court
6–0, 6–3FRA Françoise DürrFRA Gail Chanfreau
GBR Virginia WadeUSA Julie Heldman
GBR Nell Truman
AUS Judy Dalton
USA Rosie Casals
USA Rosie Casals
USA Billie Jean King
6–1, 6–4AUS Margaret Court
AUS Evonne Goolagong
17 MayBritish Hard Court Championships
Bournemouth, England
Grand Prix Circuit (B)AUS Margaret Court
7–5, 6–1AUS Evonne GoolagongFRA Françoise Dürr
USA Mary–Ann CurtisGBR Winnie Shaw
USA Tory Fretz
NED Betty Stöve
USA Patti Hogan
USA Mary–Ann Curtis
FRA Françoise Dürr
6–3, 5–7, 6–4AUS Margaret Court
AUS Evonne Goolagong
Grand Prix German Open
Hamburg, West Germany
Grand Prix Circuit (B)USA Billie Jean King
6–3, 6–2FRG Helga MasthoffFRG Helga Hösl
USA Rosie CasalsFRG Heide Orth
USA Valerie Ziegenfuss
JPN Kazuko Sawamatsu
AUS Kerry Melville
USA Rosie Casals
USA Billie Jean King
6–2, 6–1FRG Helga Masthoff
FRG Heide Orth
24 May
31 MayFrench Open
Paris, France
Grand Slam (A)
Clay – 64S/44Q/32D/38X
Singles – Doubles – Mixed doublesAUS Evonne Goolagong
6–3, 7–5AUS Helen GourlayNED Marijke Schaar
USA Nancy RicheyUSA Linda Tuero
FRA Françoise Dürr
AUS Lesley Bowrey
FRA Gail Chanfreau
FRA Gail Chanfreau
FRA Françoise Dürr
6–4, 6–1AUS Helen Gourlay
AUS Kerry Harris
FRA Jean-Claude Barclay
FRA Françoise Dürr
6–3, 6–4URS Toomas Leius
GBR Winnie Shaw

June

WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists
7 JunPlayers Nottingham
Nottingham, United Kingdom
Non-tour event
Singles – DoublesUSA Julie Heldman
6–4, 7–9, 6–3AUS Barbara HawcroftAUS Helen Amos
RSA Laura RossouwRSA Brenda Kirk
CHI Michelle Rodríguez
AUS Patricia Faulkner
SWE Madeleine Pegel
FRA Françoise Dürr
USA Julie Heldman
6–0, 6–3CHI Ana María Pinto Bravo
ARG Raquel Giscafré
Kent Championships
Beckenham, United Kingdom
Non-tour event
Singles – DoublesAUS Kerry Melville
6–0, 3–6, 9–7USA Kristy PigeonUSA Patti Hogan
AUS Wendy GilchristUSA Tam O'Shaughnessy
USA Janet Newberry
NED Betty Stöve
GBR Christine Janes
GBR Christine Truman
GBR Nell Truman
6–3, 9–7URS Olga Morozova
URS Zaiga Yanzone
14 JunQueen's Club Championships
London, England
Grand Prix Circuit (D)
Grass – 64S/32DAUS Margaret Court
6–3, 3–6, 6–3USA Billie Jean KingUSA Rosie Casals
GBR Virginia WadeUSA Kristy Pigeon
GBR Jill Cooper
GBR Christine Janes
AUS Helen Gourlay
USA Rosie Casals
USA Billie Jean King
6–2, 8–6USA Mary–Ann Curtis
USA Valerie Ziegenfuss
21 Jun
28 JuneWimbledon Championships
London, England
Grand Slam (A)
Grass – 96S/24D/80X
Singles – Doubles – Mixed doublesAUS Evonne Goolagong
6–4, 6–1AUS Margaret CourtAUS Judy Tegart-Dalton
USA Billie Jean KingGBR Winnie Shaw
AUS Kerry Melville
USA Nancy Richey
FRA Françoise Dürr
USA Rosie Casals
USA Billie Jean King
6–3, 6–2AUS Margaret Court
AUS Evonne Goolagong
AUS Owen Davidson
USA Billie Jean King
3–6, 6–2, 15–13USA Marty Riessen
AUS Margaret Court

July

WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists
5 JulSwedish Open
Båstad, Sweden
Grand Prix Circuit (B)
Clay – 32S/32DFRG Helga Masthoff
4–6, 6–1, 6–3SWE Ingrid BentzerSWE Christina Sandberg
USA Linda TueroCHI Ana María Pinto Bravo
FRG Heide Orth
SWE Ann-Charlotte Dahlberg
FRA Odile de Roubin
FRG Helga Masthoff
FRG Heide Orth
6–2, 6–1CHI Ana María Pinto Bravo
USA Linda Tuero
Open Welsh Championships
Newport, Wales
Grand Prix Circuit (C)
Grass – 32S/16DGBR Virginia Wade
6–3, 6–4AUS Judy Tegart-DaltonGBR Winnie Shaw
AUS Helen GourlayAUS Kerry Harris
GBR Elizabeth James
FRA Gail Chanfreau
GBR Joyce Williams
AUS Helen Gourlay
AUS Kerry Harris
6–3, 8–6FRA Gail Chanfreau
GBR Winnie Shaw
Swiss Open
Gstaad, Switzerland
Grand Prix Circuit (B)
Clay – 32S/16DFRA Françoise Dürr
6–3, 6–3AUS Lesley HuntNED Marijke Schaar
TCH Alena Palmeová-WestITA Lea Pericoli
ITA Fiorella Bonicelli
SUI Silvia Gubler
RSA Laura Rossouw
RSA Brenda Kirk
RSA Laura Rossouw
8–6, 6–3FRA Françoise Dürr
ITA Lea Pericoli
Carroll's Irish Open
Dublin, Ireland
Non-tour eventAUS Margaret Court
6–3, 2–6, 6–3AUS Evonne GoolagongNED Betty Stöve
AUS Lesley BowreyIRE Geraldine Barniville
IRE Sue Minford
GBR Veronica Burton
USA Tam O'Shaughnessy
AUS Lesley Bowrey
NED Betty Stöve
7–5, 6–1AUS Margaret Court
AUS Evonne Goolagong
12 JulNorth of England Championships
Hoylake, England
Grand Prix Circuit (C)
Grass – 32S/16D
Singles – DoublesUSA Billie Jean King
6–3, 6–3USA Rosie CasalsAUS Margaret Court
USA Patti HoganAUS Evonne Goolagong
AUS Judy Tegart-Dalton
GBR Virginia Wade
USA Julie Heldman
USA Rosie Casals
USA Billie Jean King
walkoverAUS Margaret Court
AUS Evonne Goolagong
19 JulGreen Shield Midland Championships
Leicester, England
Non-tour event
Singles – DoublesAUS Evonne Goolagong
6–2, 6–4USA Patti HoganAUS Helen Gourlay
AUS Judy Tegart-DaltonUSA Kristien Kemmer
AUS Kerry Harris
AUS Barbara Hawcroft
AUS Fay Toyne
AUS Judy Tegart-Dalton
AUS Evonne Goolagong
8–6, 6–4AUS Barbara Hawcroft
USA Patti Hogan
Austrian Open
Kitzbühel, Austria
Non-tour event
Singles – DoublesUSA Billie Jean King
6–2, 4–6, 7–5RSA Laura RossouwGER Helga Schultze
USA Rosie CasalsGER Heide Orth
USA Tory Fretz
CHI Ana María Arias
RSA Brenda Kirk
USA Rosie Casals
USA Billie Jean King
6–2, 6–4FRG Helga Niessen Masthoff
FRG Heide Orth
26 JulDutch Open Championships
Hilversum, Netherlands
Non-tour event
Singles – DoublesAUS Evonne Goolagong
8–6, 6–3SWE Christina SandbergFRG Cora Schediwy
NED Betty StöveNED Trudy Waldhof
FRG Katja Ebbinghaus
RSA Brenda Kirk
TCH Alena Palmeová-West
SWE Christina Sandberg
NED Betty Stöve
6–1, 6–2FRG Katja Ebbinghaus
NED Trudy Waldhof

August

WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists
2 AugVirginia Slims International
Houston, United States
Virginia Slims
$40,000
Singles – DoublesUSA Billie Jean King
6–4, 4–6, 6–1AUS Kerry Melville3rd: USA Nancy Richey
4th: AUS Judy Tegart-DaltonUSA Mary-Ann Eisel
USA Julie Heldman
FRA Françoise Dürr
USA Rosie Casals
USA Rosie Casals
USA Billie Jean King
6–3, 1–6, 6–2AUS Judy Tegart-Dalton
FRA Françoise Dürr
Cincinnati Open
Cincinnati, United States
Grand Prix Circuit (C)
Hard – 32S/16DGRB Virginia Wade
6–3, 6–3USA Linda TueroFRA Gail Chanfreau
AUS Helen GourlayFRA Nathalie Fuchs
GBR Winnie Shaw
USA Sue Stap
AUS Kerry Harris
AUS Helen Gourlay
AUS Kerry Harris
6–4, 6–4FRA Gail Chanfreau
GBR Winnie Shaw
9 AugWomen's Clay Court Championships
Indianapolis, US
Grand Prix Circuit (D)
Clay – 32S/16DUSA Billie Jean King
6–4, 7–5USA Linda TueroAUS Helen Gourlay
FRA Gail ChanfreauUSA Julie Heldman
GBR Winnie Shaw
AUS Kerry Harris
AUS Kerry Melville
AUS Judy Dalton
USA Billie Jean King
6–1, 6–2USA Julie Heldman
USA Linda Tuero
16 AugVirginia Slims of Chicago
Lake Bluff, Illinois, United States
Virginia Slims
Clay – $20,000
Singles – DoublesFRA Françoise Dürr
6–4, 6–2USA Billie Jean KingUSA Nancy Richey
USA Rosie CasalsAUS Lesley Hunt
USA Betty Ann Hansen
AUS Judy Tegart-Dalton
USA Linda Tuero
AUS Judy Tegart-Dalton
FRA Françoise Dürr
6–4, 7–6USA Rosie Casals
USA Billie Jean King
Wightman Cup
Cleveland, United States
Hard (i)
Team event
United States}}
4–3Great Britain}}
23 AugEastern Grass Court Championships
South Orange NJ, United States
Grand Prix Circuit (C)
Grass – 64S/32DUSA Chris Evert
6–4, 6–0AUS Helen GourlayGBR Winnie Shaw
INA Lita LiemINA Lany Kaligis
GBR Joyce Williams
GBR Virginia Wade
AUS Lesley Bowrey
Cancelled
30 AugVirginia Slims of Newport
Newport, United States
Virginia Slims
Grass – $20,000
Singles – DoublesAUS Kerry Melville
6–3, 6–7(3–5), 7–6(5–4)FRA Françoise DürrUSA Billie Jean King
USA Rosie CasalsSWE Christina Sandberg
AUS Judy Tegart-Dalton
AUS Lesley Hunt
USA Mary-Ann Eisel
AUS Judy Tegart-Dalton
FRA Françoise Dürr
6–2, 6–1AUS Kerry Harris
AUS Kerry Melville
30 Aug
6 SepUS Open
New York, United States
Grand Slam (A)
Grass – 64S/32D/47X
Singles – Doubles – Mixed doublesUSA Billie Jean King
6–4, 7–6(5–2)USA Rosie CasalsUSA Chris Evert
AUS Kerry MelvilleUSA Laura du Pont
AUS Lesley Hunt
AUS Judy Tegart-Dalton
GBR Joyce Williams
USA Rosie Casals
AUS Judy Tegart-Dalton
6–3, 6–3FRA Gail Chanfreau
FRA Françoise Dürr
AUS Owen Davidson
USA Billie Jean King
6–3, 7–5RSA Bob Maud
NED Betty Stöve

September

WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists
13 SepVirginia Slims of Louisville
Louisville, United States
Virginia Slims
$20,000
Singles – DoublesUSA Billie Jean King
6–1, 4–6, 6–3USA Rosie CasalsAUS Kerry Melville
FRA Françoise DürrINA Lita Liem
TCH Alena Palmeová-West
AUS Helen Gourlay
USA Margaret Cooper
AUS Judy Tegart-Dalton
FRA Françoise Dürr
2–6, 6–4, 6–3AUS Kerry Melville
NED Betty Stöve
20 SepPacific Southwest Championships
Los Angeles, United States
Grand Prix Circuit (B)
Carpet (i) – 32S/16DUSA Billie Jean King vs. USA Rosie Casals
6–6 double defaultAUS Kerry Melville
FRA Françoise DürrUSA Wendy Overton
AUS Lesley Hunt
AUS Helen Gourlay
AUS Judy Tegart-Dalton
USA Rosie Casals
USA Billie Jean King
6–3, 6–2AUS Judy Tegart-Dalton
FRA Françoise Dürr
27 SepVirginia Slims Thunderbird Classic
Phoenix, United States
Virginia Slims
Hard – $20,000 – 32S/4D
Singles – DoublesUSA Billie Jean King
7–5, 6–1USA Rosie CasalsAUS Kerry Melville
AUS Nancy Richey GunterUSA Wendy Overton
AUS Judy Tegart-Dalton
FRA Françoise Dürr
AUS Lesley Hunt
USA Rosie Casals
USA Billie Jean King
6–3, 6–2AUS Judy Tegart-Dalton
FRA Françoise Dürr

October

WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists
11 OctDewar Cup Edinburgh
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Non-tour event
Singles – DoublesAUS Evonne Goolagong
6–0, 6–3FRA Françoise DürrGBR Jackie Fayter
GBR Virginia WadeGBR Corinne Molesworth
GBR Winnie Shaw
USA Patti Hogan
USA Julie Heldman
AUS Evonne Goolagong
USA Julie Heldman
6–3, 6–0USA Patti Hogan
GBR Nell Truman
18 OctDewar Cup Billingham
Billingham, United Kingdom
Non-tour event
15S/4D
Singles – DoublesGBR Virginia Wade
4–6, 7–5, 6–3USA Julie HeldmanAUS Evonne Goolagong
FRA Françoise DürrNED Betty Stöve
GBR Cathie Lorains
GBR Winnie Shaw
USA Patti Hogan
FRA Françoise Dürr
GBR Virginia Wade
6–3, 4–6, 6–2AUS Evonne Goolagong
USA Julie Heldman
25 OctEmbassy British Indoor Championships
London, England
Grand Prix Circuit (B)
Carpet – 32S/16DUSA Billie Jean King
6–1, 5–7, 7–5FRA Françoise DürrUSA Rosemary Casals
AUS Evonne GoolagongUSA Patti Hogan
NED Betty Stöve
GBR Virginia Wade
GBR Winnie Shaw
FRA Françoise Dürr
GBR Virginia Wade
3–6, 7–5, 6–3AUS Evonne Goolagong
USA Julie Heldman

November

WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists
1 NovDewar Cup Aberavon
Aberavon, United Kingdom
Non-tour event
Singles – DoublesGBR Virginia Wade
7–6, 6–3AUS Evonne GoolagongUSA Julie Heldman
FRA Françoise DürrAUS Wendy Gilchrist
GBR Winnie Shaw
USA Patti Hogan
NED Betty Stöve
FRA Françoise Dürr
GBR Virginia Wade
7–5, 6–4AUS Evonne Goolagong
USA Julie Heldman
8 NovDewar Cup Torquay
Torquay, United Kingdom
Non-tour event
16S/4D
Singles – DoublesAUS Evonne Goolagong
6–1, 6–0FRA Françoise DürrUSA Julie Heldman
GBR Virginia WadeGBR Jackie Fayter
GBR Winnie Shaw
GBR Penny Moor
NED Betty Stöve
AUS Evonne Goolagong
USA Julie Heldman
7–6, 6–4FRA Françoise Dürr
GBR Virginia Wade
15 NovDewar Cup Championships
London, United Kingdom
Non-tour event
Singles – DoublesGBR Virginia Wade
6–1, 6–3USA Julie HeldmanFRA Françoise Dürr
AUS Evonne GoolagongNED Betty Stöve
GBR Winnie Shaw
GBR Jackie Fayter
USA Patti Hogan
AUS Evonne Goolagong
USA Julie Heldman
7–5, 6–4FRA Françoise Dürr
GBR Virginia Wade
29 NovClean Air Classic
New York City, United States
Non-tour event
Singles – DoublesGBR Virginia Wade
6–3, 6–3USA Rosie Casals

December

WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists
1 DecBenson & Hedges International
Christchurch, New Zealand
Non-tour event
Singles – DoublesFRA Françoise Dürr
6–3, 6–0USA Billie Jean KingUSA Rosemary Casals
AUS Kerry MelvilleAUS Lesley Hunt
USA Kristien Kemmer
USA Valerie Ziegenfuss
AUS Judy Tegart-Dalton
USA Rosie Casals
USA Billie Jean King
6–3, 9–8(8–6)AUS Judy Tegart-Dalton
FRA Françoise Dürr

Awarding points system

Grand Prix Circuit

The Grand Prix tournaments were divided into four groups. Group A consisted of the three Grand Slam events – French Open, Wimbledon Championships and US Open – while the other tournaments were divided into Groups B, C and D by prize money and draw size. Points were allocated based on these groups and the finishing position of a player in a tournament. The points allocation is listed below:

Standings and bonus pool earnings

A bonus pool of $50,000 was available for the top 13 points ranked players. To qualify for a share of the bonus pool the players had to participate in a minimum of nine tournaments.

RkNameTour.PointsBonus
1USA Billie Jean King9181$10,000
2FRA Françoise Dürr9119$7,500
3AUS Evonne Goolagong6116–
4AUS Margaret Court6106–
5AUS Helen Gourlay1283$6,500
6USA Rosemary Casals871–
7AUS Judy Dalton970$5,250
8GBR Virginia Wade1069$4,000
9USA Linda Tuero760–
10AUS Kerry Melville755–

Top 10 World Rankings

The 1971 singles rankings as per Lance Tingay.

World ranking
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Under 21 world ranking
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

Prize money leaders

10Nancy Gunter$15,300

Statistical information

These tables present the number of singles (S), doubles (D), and mixed doubles (X) titles won by each player and each nation during the 1971 Virginia Slims Circuit. They also include data for the Grand Slam tournaments.

  1. total number of titles (a doubles title won by two players representing the same nation counts as only one win for the nation);
  2. highest amount of highest category tournaments (for example, having a single Grand Slam gives preference over any kind of combination without a Grand Slam title);
  3. a singles doubles mixed doubles hierarchy;
  4. alphabetical order (by family names for players).

Key

Virginia Slims events

Titles won by player

TotalPlayer
38{{sortnameBillie JeanKing}}
21{{sortnameRosieCasals}}
19{{sortnameEvonneGoolagong}}
16{{sortnameMargaretCourt}}
16{{sortnameFrançoiseDurr}}
6{{sortnameJudyTegart Dalton}}
5{{sortnameChrisEvert}}
5{{sortnameAnnHaydon-Jones}}
2{{sortnameGailChanfreau}}
2{{sortnameKerryMelville}}
2{{sortnameMary-AnnEisel}}
1{{sortnameValerieZiegenfuss}}

Titles won by nation

TotalNation
30USA
10FRA
9AUS
7GBR

Notes

References

References

  1. "History of the ITF: Foundation of International Lawn Tennis Federation 1913.". ITF.
  2. (19 Jan 1971). "Reprieve for Girls". The Wikipedia Library - Newspapers.Com.
  3. (December 2017). "The United States Tennis Association: Raising the Game". U of Nebraska Press.
  4. (15 September 2014). "Arthur Ashe: Tennis and Justice in the Civil Rights Era". JHU Press.
  5. (1972). "World of Tennis '72". Queen Anne Press.
  6. (January 6, 2021). "50 years ago today: Virginia Slims Circuit kicks off". Women's Tennis Association (WTA).
  7. "WTA Tour Finals". www.wtatennis.com.
  8. "About The WTA". www.wtatennis.com.
  9. (21 July 1971). "Tennisbegroting voor Hilversum iets lager". [[NRC Handelsblad]].
  10. John Dolan. (2011). "Women's Tennis 1968–84: the Ultimate Guide". Remous.
Wikipedia Source

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