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1976 World Championship Tennis circuit


The 1976 World Championship Tennis circuit was one of the two rival professional men's tennis circuits of 1976. It was organized by World Championship Tennis (WCT) and consisted of a schedule of 25 tournaments leading up to a singles WCT Finals play-off in Dallas and a doubles play-off in Kansas City in May. A total of 54 players participated, 30 players less than in the previous three years, and the group system used in the previous editions was replaced by a single pool. The U.S. Pro Indoor was the only tournament in which all players participated, all other tournaments had a 16 men draw. The season final was played by the eight best performers and was won by the Swede Björn Borg who defeated Guillermo Vilas from Argentina in four sets. The total prize money for the 1976 WCT circuit was $2,400,000, including a $320,000 Avis Challenge Cup round–robin special event played in Hawaii in January and May.

The Aetna World Cup between teams of the US and Australia was played in March in Hartford and was won by the US 6–1.

Overview

DateTournamentLocationDrawPrize MoneySurfaceChampionRunner-upScore
5 JanMonterrey WCTMonterrey, Mexico16S / 8D$60,000Carpet (i)U.S. Eddie DibbsU.S. Harold Solomon7–6, 6–2
7 JanColumbus WCTColumbus, Ohio, U.S.16S / 8D$60,000Carpet (i)U.S. Arthur AsheRHO Andrew Pattison3–6, 6–3, 7–6
12 JanIndianapolis WCTIndianapolis, U.S.16S / 8DCarpet (i)U.S. Arthur AsheU.S. Vitas Gerulaitis6–2, 6–7, 6–4
14 JanPhoenix CupAtlanta, U.S.16S / 8D$60,000Carpet (i)ROM Ilie NăstaseU.S. Jeff Borowiak6–2, 6–4
26 JanU.S. Pro IndoorPhiladelphia, U.S.64S / 32D$118,600Carpet (i)U.S. Jimmy ConnorsSWE Björn Borg7–6(7–5), 6–4, 6–0
2 FebBarcelona WCTBarcelona, Spain16S / 8D$60,000Carpet (i)U.S. Eddie DibbsRSA Cliff Drysdale6–1, 6–1
4 FebRichmond WCTRichmond, Virginia, U.S.16S / 8D$60,000Carpet (i)U.S. Arthur AsheU.S. Brian Gottfried6–2, 6–4
9 FebLagos WCTLagos, Nigeria16S / 8D$60,000ClayU.S. Dick StocktonU.S. Arthur Ashe6–3, 6–2
10 FebToronto WCTToronto, Canada16S / 8D$60,000Carpet (i)SWE Björn BorgU.S. Vitas Gerulaitis2–6, 6–3, 6–1
17 FebSt. Louis WCTSt. Louis, U.S.16S / 8D$60,000Carpet (i)ARG Guillermo VilasIND Vijay Amritraj4–6, 6–0, 6–4
17 FebRome WCTRome, Italy16S / 8D$60,000Carpet (i)U.S. Arthur AsheU.S. Bob Lutz6–2, 0–6, 6–3
23 FebFort Worth WCTFort Worth, Texas, U.S.16S / 8D$60,000Carpet (i)ARG Guillermo VilasAUS Phil Dent6–7, 6–1, 6–1
23 FebRotterdam WCTRotterdam, Netherlands16S / 8D$60,000Carpet (i)U.S. Arthur AsheU.S. Bob Lutz6–3, 6–3
8 MarMemphis WCTMemphis, Tennessee, U.S.16S / 8D$60,000Carpet (i)IND Vijay AmritrajU.S. Stan Smith6–2, 0–6, 6–0
8 MarMexico City WCTMexico City, Mexico16S / 8D$60,000Carpet (i)MEX Raúl RamírezU.S. Eddie Dibbs7–6, 6–2
15 MarWashington WCTWashington, D.C., U.S.16S / 8D$60,000Carpet (i)U.S. Harold SolomonNZL Onny Parun6–3, 6–1
15 MarJackson WCTJackson, Mississippi, U.S.16S / 8D$60,000Carpet (i)AUS Ken RosewallMEX Raúl Ramírez6–3, 6–3
29 MarCaracas WCTCaracas, Venezuela16S / 8D$60,000ClayMEX Raúl RamírezROM Ilie Năstase6–3, 6–4
29 MarSão Paulo WCTSão Paulo, Brazil16S / 8D$60,000Carpet (i)SWE Björn BorgARG Guillermo Vilas7–6(7–4), 6–2
5 AprJohannesburg WCTJohannesburg, South Africa16S / 8DHardNZL Onny ParunRSA Cliff Drysdale7–6, 6–3
5 AprHouston WCTHouston, U.S.16S / 8D$25,000ClayU.S. Harold SolomonAUS Ken Rosewall6–1, 4–6, 6–1
12 AprMonte Carlo WCTRoquebrune-Cap-Martin, France16S / 8D$60,000ClayARG Guillermo VilasPOL Wojciech Fibak6–1, 6–1, 6–4
13 AprCharlotte WCTCharlotte, North Carolina, U.S.16S / 8DClayAUS Tony RocheU.S. Vitas Gerulaitis6–3, 3–6, 6–1
19 AprStockholm WCTStockholm, Sweden16S / 8D$60,000Carpet (i)POL Wojciech FibakROM Ilie Năstase6–4, 7–6(8–6)
19 AprDenver WCTDenver, U.S.16S / 8D$60,000Carpet (i)U.S. Jimmy ConnorsAUS Ross Case7–6, 6–2
4 MayDallas WCT FinalsDallas, U.S.8S$100,000Carpet (i)SWE Björn BorgARG Guillermo Vilas1–6, 6–1, 7–5, 6–1

Schedule

The schedule of events on the 1976 WCT circuit, with player progression documented until the quarterfinals stage.

January

WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists
5 JanMonterrey WCT
Monterrey, Mexico
$60,000 – carpet (i) – 16S/8DUSA Eddie Dibbs
7–6, 6–2USA Harold SolomonUSA Vitas Gerulaitis
MEX Raúl RamírezUSA Brian Gottfried
MEX Emilio Montaño
AUS Geoff Masters
USA Cliff Richey
USA Brian Gottfried
MEX Raúl Ramírez
6–2, 4–6, 6–3AUS Ross Case
AUS Geoff Masters
7 JanColumbus WCT
Columbus, Ohio, US
$60,000 – carpet (i) – 16S/8DUSA Arthur Ashe
3–6, 6–3, 7–6RHO Andrew PattisonAUS Phil Dent
RSA Cliff DrysdaleUSSR Alex Metreveli
AUS Kevin Warwick
USA Dick Stockton
NED Tom Okker
RSA Bob Hewitt
RSA Frew McMillan
7–6, 6–4USA Arthur Ashe
NED Tom Okker
12 JanIndianapolis WCT
Indianapolis, US
$60,000 – carpet (i) – 16S/8DUSA Arthur Ashe
6–2, 6–7, 6–4USA Vitas GerulaitisAUS Ray Ruffels
USA Stan SmithUSA Marty Riessen
AUS Syd Ball
RSA Cliff Drysdale
USA Bob Lutz
USA Robert Lutz
USA Stan Smith
6–2, 6–4USA Vitas Gerulaitis
USA Tom Gorman
14 JanPhoenix Cup
Atlanta, US
$60,000 – carpet (i) – 16S/8DROU Ilie Năstase
6–2, 6–4USA Jeff BorowiakURS Alex Metreveli
AUS John AlexanderSWE Björn Borg
TCH Jan Kodeš
ZIM Andrew Pattison
POL Wojciech Fibak
AUS John Alexander
AUS Phil Dent
6–3, 6–4POL Wojciech Fibak
GER Karl Meiler
26 JanU.S. Pro Indoor
Philadelphia, US
$118,000 – carpet (i) – 64S/32DUSA Jimmy Connors
7–6(7–5), 6–4, 6–0SWE Björn BorgNED Tom Okker
USA Dick StocktonTCH Jan Kodeš
USA Eddie Dibbs
USA Tom Gorman
AUS Rod Laver
AUS Rod Laver
USA Dennis Ralston
6–3, 5–7, 7–6(7–5)RSA Bob Hewitt
RSA Frew McMillan

February

WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists
2 FebBarcelona WCT
Barcelona, Spain
Carpet (i) – $60,000 – 16S/8DUSA Eddie Dibbs
6–1, 6–1RSA Cliff DrysdaleAUS Dick Crealy
GBR Mark CoxUSA Erik van Dillen
NZL Brian Fairlie
GER Karl Meiler
POL Wojciech Fibak
USA Robert Lutz
USA Stan Smith
6–3, 6–3POL Wojciech Fibak
GER Karl Meiler
4 FebUnited Virginia Bank Classic
Richmond, US
Carpet (i) – $60,000 – 32S/16DUSA Arthur Ashe
6–2, 6–4USA Brian GottfriedMEX Raúl Ramírez
NED Tom OkkerTCH Jiří Hřebec
USA Billy Martin
AUS Ross Case
AUS Geoff Masters
USA Brian Gottfried
MEX Raúl Ramírez
6–4, 7–5USA Arthur Ashe
NED Tom Okker
9 FebLagos Tennis Classic
Lagos, Nigeria
Clay – 16S/8DUSA Dick Stockton
6–3, 6–2USA Arthur AsheUSA Bob Lutz
USA Jeff BorowiakGER Karl Meiler
USA Eddie Dibbs
USA Harold Solomon
AUS Dick Crealy
10 FebToronto Indoor
Toronto, CanadaSWE Björn Borg
2–6, 6–3, 6–1USA Vitas GerulaitisROU Ilie Năstase
USA Marty RiessenTCH Jiří Hřebec
TCH Jan Kodeš
AUS Tony Roche
IND Vijay Amritraj
CHI Jaime Fillol
RSA Frew McMillan
6–7(3–7), 6–2, 6–3URS Alexander Metreveli
ROU Ilie Năstase
17 FebRome WCT
Rome, Italy
CarpetUSA Arthur Ashe
6–2, 0–6, 6–3USA Bob LutzUSA Dick Stockton
ITA Adriano PanattaNED Tom Okker
RSA Cliff Drysdale
GBR Mark Cox
USA Stan Smith
USA Robert Lutz
USA Stan Smith
6–7(5–7), 6–3, 6–4AUS Dick Crealy
RSA Frew McMillan
17 FebSt. Louis Tennis Classic
St. Louis, US
Carpet (i) – $60,000 – 32S/16DARG Guillermo Vilas
4–6, 6–0, 6–4IND Vijay AmritrajMEX Raúl Ramírez
USA Billy MartinUSA Brian Gottfried
AUS John Alexander
AUS Ken Rosewall
ESP Manuel Orantes
USA Brian Gottfried
MEX Raúl Ramírez
6–4, 6–2AUS John Alexander
AUS Phil Dent
23 FebRotterdam WCT
Rotterdam, Netherlands
Carpet (i) – $60,000 – 32S/16DUSA Arthur Ashe
6–3, 6–3USA Bob LutzNED Tom Okker
AUS Rod LaverPOL Wojciech Fibak
TCH Jan Kodeš
TCH Jiří Hřebec
USA Stan Smith
AUS Rod Laver
RSA Frew McMillan
6–1, 6–7(4–7), 7–6(7–5)USA Arthur Ashe
NLD Tom Okker
24 FebColonial National Invitational
Fort Worth, US
Carpet (i) – 32S/16DARG Guillermo Vilas
6–7, 6–1, 6–1AUS Phil DentUSA Sandy Mayer
USA Roscoe TannerUSA Harold Solomon
USA Sherwood Stewart
USA Tom Gorman
USA Cliff Richey
USA Vitas Gerulaitis
USA Sandy Mayer
6–4, 7–5USA Eddie Dibbs
USA Harold Solomon

March

WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists
8 MarU.S. Indoor National Championships
Memphis, USIND Vijay Amritraj
6–2, 0–6, 6–0USA Stan SmithUSA Bob Lutz
SWE Björn BorgRSA Cliff Drysdale
AUS John Newcombe
USA Roscoe Tanner
USA Marty Riessen
IND Vijay Amritraj
IND Anand Amritraj
6–3, 6–4USA Marty Riessen
USA Roscoe Tanner
8 MarMexico City WCT
Mexico City, Mexico
Carpet (i) – $60,000 – 16S/8DMEX Raúl Ramírez
7–6, 6–2USA Eddie DibbsARG Guillermo Vilas
MEX Marcelo LaraUSA Brian Gottfried
AUS Ken Rosewall
USA Tom Gorman
AUS Syd Ball
USA Brian Gottfried
MEX Raúl Ramírez
6–4, 7–6(7–4)EGY Ismail El Shafei
AUS Brian Fairlie
15 MarWashington Indoor
Washington, US
Carpet (i) – $60,000 – 16S/8DUSA Harold Solomon
6–3, 6–1NZL Onny ParunAUS John Newcombe
USA Charlie PasarellUSA Eddie Dibbs
RSA Ray Moore
GBR Mark Cox
AUS Allan Stone
USA Eddie Dibbs
USA Harold Solomon
6–4, 7–5GBR Mark Cox
RSA Cliff Drysdale
15 MarTennis South Invitational
Jackson, US
Carpet (i) – $60,000 – 16S/8DAUS Ken Rosewall
6–3, 6–3MEX Raúl RamírezIND Vijay Amritraj
AUS Ross CaseUSA Tom Gorman
USA Dick Stockton
USA Billy Martin
AUS Phil Dent
USA Brian Gottfried
MEX Raúl Ramírez
7–5, 4–6, 6–0AUS Ross Case
AUS Geoff Masters
29 MarCaracas WCT
Caracas, VenezuelaMEX Raúl Ramírez
6–3, 6–4ROU Ilie NăstaseUSA Arthur Ashe
USA Jeff BorowiakRSA Ray Moore
USA Dick Stockton
USA Brian Gottfried
USA Erik van Dillen
USA Brian Gottfried
MEX Raúl Ramírez
7–5, 6–4USA Jeff Borowiak
ROU Ilie Năstase
29 MarSão Paulo WCT
São Paulo, Brasil
Carpet (i) – $60,000SWE Björn Borg
7–6(7–4), 6–2ARG Guillermo VilasZIM Andrew Pattison
BRA Thomaz KochCHI Jaime Fillol
AUS Phil Dent
AUS Ross Case
AUS Geoff Masters
AUS Ross Case
AUS Geoff Masters
7–5, 6–1USA Charlie Pasarell
AUS Allan Stone

April

WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists
5 AprJohannesburg Indoor
Johannesburg, South AfricaNZL Onny Parun
7–6, 6–3RSA Cliff DrysdaleAUS Ross Case
NED Tom OkkerARG Guillermo Vilas
AUS Kim Warwick
AUS Geoff Masters
RSA Ray Moore
USA Marty Riessen
USA Roscoe Tanner
6–2, 7–5RSA Frew McMillan
NED Tom Okker
5 AprHouston Open
Houston, USUSA Harold Solomon
6–4, 1–6, 6–1AUS Ken RosewallUSA Eddie Dibbs
USA Vitas GerulaitisUSA Bob Lutz
AUS Phil Dent
ROU Ilie Năstase
AUS John Alexander
AUS Rod Laver
AUS Ken Rosewall
6–4, 6–2USA Charlie Pasarell
AUS Allan Stone
12 AprMonte Carlo Open
Monte Carlo, Monaco
$60,000 – 16S/8D – clayARG Guillermo Vilas
6–1, 6–1, 6–4POL Wojciech FibakFRA François Jauffret
FRG Karl MeilerRSA Ray Moore
ITA Adriano Panatta
URS Alex Metreveli
SWE Björn Borg
POL Wojciech Fibak
FRG Karl Meiler
7–6, 6–1SWE Björn Borg
ARG Guillermo Vilas
13 AprCharlotte Tennis Classic
Charlotte, US
$60,000 – 16S/8D – clayAUS Tony Roche
6–3, 3–6, 6–1USA Vitas GerulaitisUSA Eddie Dibbs
AUS Ken RosewallUSA Cliff Richey
AUS Ross Case
USA Dick Stockton
AUS Geoff Masters
AUS John Newcombe
AUS Tony Roche
6–3, 7–5USA Vitas Gerulaitis
USA Gene Mayer
19 AprUnited Bank Tennis Classic
Denver, US
$60,000 – 16S/8D – carpet (i)USA Jimmy Connors
7–6, 6–2AUS Ross CaseUSA Brian Gottfried
MEX Raúl RamírezUSA Billy Martin
AUS Geoff Masters
USA Charlie Pasarell
AUS John Alexander
AUS John Alexander
AUS Phil Dent
6–7, 6–2, 7–5USA Jimmy Connors
USA Billy Martin
19 AprStockholm WCT
Stockholm, SwedenPOL Wojciech Fibak
6–4, 7–6ROU Ilie NăstaseITA Adriano Panatta
NED Tom OkkerSWE Björn Borg
AUS Mark Edmondson
URS Alex Metreveli
ARG Guillermo Vilas
URS Alexander Metreveli
ROU Ilie Năstase
6–4, 7–5NED Tom Okker
ITA Adriano Panatta
28 AprMasters Doubles WCT
Kansas City, USPOL Wojciech Fibak
FRG Karl Meiler
6–2, 2–6, 3–6, 6–3, 6–4USA Bob Lutz
USA Stan Smith

May

WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists
4 MayWCT Finals
Dallas, United States
Tour Finals
$100,000 – carpet – 8S
SinglesSWE Björn Borg
1–6, 6–1, 7–5, 6–1ARG Guillermo VilasUSA Harold Solomon
USA Dick StocktonUSA Eddie Dibbs
USA Robert Lutz
USA Arthur Ashe
MEX Raúl Ramírez

Standings

PlayerTournaments PlayedTournaments WonMatches WonMatches LostPointsPrize Money
USA Arthur Ashe *****85263860$253,013
MEX Raúl Ramírez *****82186705$104,700
ARG Guillermo Vilas *****73194695$99,163
USA Eddie Dibbs *****82196675$79,538
SWE Björn Borg *****82176650$135,838
USA Dick Stockton *****81175595$62,475
USA Bob Lutz *****80159585$69,013
USA Harold Solomon *****82167565$75,038
USA Vitas Gerulaitis801210540$40,900
USA Brian Gottfried80148535$54,600

***** Qualified for the WCT Finals.

Notes

References

References

  1. (April 28, 1976). "Solomon Makes Dallas Again With Field Set For WCT Finals, May 4–9". World Championship Tennis.
  2. (1977). "World of Tennis". Macdonald and Jane's.
  3. (9 March 1976). "US tennis team wins World Cup.". National Library of Australia.
  4. (12 July 2015). "The story of Lagos’ ill-fated 1976 Professional Tennis Tournament".
  5. atpworldtour.com. "1976 Grand Prix and WCT circuits calendar".
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