Thunderbird Classic (tennis)

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Thunderbird Classic
Defunct tennis tournament
Event nameVirginia Slims Thunderbird Classic (1971–72)
Virginia Slims of Phoenix (1973–74)
Thunderbird Classic (1975–80)
Tour Virginia Slims Circuit(1972–80)
Founded1952
Abolished1980
Location Phoenix, United States
Venue Phoenix Country Club
Surface Hard / indoor (1952–65)
Hard / outdoor (1966–70)

The Thunderbird Classic was a Virginia Slims Circuit affiliated tennis tournament founded in 1952, [1] as a combined men's and women's tournament called the Phoenix Thunderbird Championships Invitational. [2] Also known as the Phoenix Thunderbird Invitation it continued as a joint event until 1970 when it was branded as the Phoenix Thunderbird Open the men's event was discontinued that year.

Contents

In 1971 the women's tournament was re branded as the Virginia Slims Thunderbird Classic and ran annually under a number of name changes until 1980 when it too was discontinued.

History

The tournament was founded in 1952, [3] as the Phoenix Thunderbird Championships a joint men's and women's tennis tournament played at the Phoenix Country Club, Phoenix, Arizona, United States. In 1953 the word 'championships' was dropped from the tournament title. In 1969 the tournament went open under the brand name the Thunderbird Invitational. [4] In 1970 the tournament was re branded as the Phoenix Thunderbird Open, [5] and was the final year as a combined event when the men's tournament was discontinued.

In 1971 women's event became part of the Virginia Slims Circuit and was known as the Virginia Slims Thunderbird Classic, that event carried on till 1980 when it was last known as the Thunderbird Classic before it too was abolished. The tournament was originally played on indoor hard courts from 1953 to 1965, then outdoor hard courts from 1966 to 1970. The event was originally played at the end February annually, then moved to mid to late March. It was only in 1970 that its scheduling was moved to October that year, however the women's event carried on with the new dates.

Finals

Singles

Billie Jean King seen here in 1978, won the last of her 5 Phoenix titles in 1977. Billie Jean King (c)Lynn Gilbert 1978.jpg
Billie Jean King seen here in 1978, won the last of her 5 Phoenix titles in 1977.
YearWinnersRunners-upScore
Phoenix Thunderbird Invitational
1953 Flag of the United States.svg Anita Kanter Flag of the United States.svg Dorothy Bundy Cheney 3–6, 6–4, 6–3
1954 Flag of the United States.svg Beverly Baker Fleitz Flag of the United States.svg Helen Pastall Perez6–4, 7–5
1955 Flag of the United States.svg Beverly Baker Fleitz (2) Flag of the United States.svg Pat Canning Todd 6–1, 6–1
1956 Flag of the United States.svg Beverly Baker Fleitz (3) Flag of the United States.svg Mary Ann Mitchell6–1, 6–1
1957 Flag of the United States.svg Louise Brough Flag of the United States.svg Pat Canning Todd 2-6, 6-3, 6-4
1958 Flag of the United States.svg Beverly Baker Fleitz (4) Flag of the United States.svg Louise Brough 6–2, 3–6, 10–8
1959 Flag of the United States.svg Vicky Palmer Flag of the United States.svg Barbara Green3–6, 6–1, 7–5
1960 Flag of the United States.svg Karen Hantze Flag of the United States.svg Vicki Palmer7–5, 9–7
1961 Flag of the United States.svg Nancy Richey Flag of the United States.svg Darlene Hard 6–3, 6–4
Phoenix Thunderbird Invitation
1962 Flag of the United States.svg Nancy Richey (2) Flag of the United States.svg Karen Hantze Susman 6–3, 7–5
1963 Flag of the United States.svg Nancy Richey (3) Flag of the United States.svg Vicki Palmer 8–6, 8–6
1964 Flag of the United States.svg Jane Albert Flag of the United States.svg Mimi Arnold 6–3, 7–5
1965 Flag of the United States.svg Justina Bricka Flag of the United States.svg Jane Albert 6–2, 6–4
1966 Flag of the United States.svg Billie Jean Moffitt King Flag of the United States.svg Mary-Ann Eisel 6–3, 6–2
1967 Flag of the United States.svg Nancy Richey (4) Flag of the United States.svg Carol Aucamp 6–1, 6–4
1968 Flag of the United States.svg Patti Hogan Flag of the United States.svg Tory Ann Fretz 6–2, 6–4
   Open Era   
1969 [6] Flag of the United States.svg Nancy Richey (5) Flag of the United States.svg Patti Hogan 6–2, 6–0.
Phoenix Thunderbird Open
1970 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Vicki Berner Flag of the United States.svg Stephanie Tolleson 6–3, 6–2
Virginia Slims Thunderbird Classic
1971 Flag of the United States.svg Billie Jean King (2) Flag of the United States.svg Rosie Casals 7–5, 6–1
1972 Flag of the United States.svg Billie Jean King (3) Flag of Australia (converted).svg Margaret Smith Court 7–6(7–3), 6–3
Virginia Slims of Phoenix
1973 Flag of the United States.svg Billie Jean King (4) Flag of the United States.svg Nancy Richey Gunter 6–1, 6–3
1974 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Virginia Wade Flag of Australia (converted).svg Helen Gourlay 6–1, 6–2
Thunderbird Classic
1975 Flag of the United States.svg Nancy Richey Gunter (6) Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Virginia Wade 4–6, 7–5, 6–4
1976 Flag of the United States.svg Chris Evert Flag of Australia (converted).svg Dianne Fromholtz 6–1, 7–5
1977 Flag of the United States.svg Billie Jean King (5) Flag of Australia (converted).svg Wendy Turnbull 1–6, 6–1, 6–0
1978 Flag of the United States.svg Martina Navratilova Flag of the United States.svg Tracy Austin 6–4, 6–2
1979 Flag of the United States.svg Martina Navratilova (2) Flag of the United States.svg Chris Evert 6–1, 6–3
1980 Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Regina Maršíková Flag of Australia (converted).svg Wendy Turnbull 7–6(10–8), 7–6(7–3)

Doubles

Betty Stove seen here in 1973, won 5 Phoenix doubles titles. Internationale Tenniskampioenschappen Melkhuisje, Betty Stove, Bestanddeelnr 926-5581.jpg
Betty Stove seen here in 1973, won 5 Phoenix doubles titles.
YearChampionRunner-upScore
1971 Flag of the United States.svg Rosie Casals
Flag of the United States.svg Billie Jean King
Flag of France.svg Françoise Dürr
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Judy Tegart Dalton
6–3, 6–2
1972 Flag of the United States.svg Rosie Casals (2)
Flag of the United States.svg Wendy Overton
Flag of France.svg Françoise Dürr
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Betty Stöve
6–4, 6–3
1973 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Kerry Harris
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Kerry Melville
Flag of the United States.svg Rosie Casals
Flag of the United States.svg Billie Jean King
6–4, 6–4
1974 Flag of France.svg Françoise Dürr
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Betty Stöve
Flag of the United States.svg Mona Schallau
Flag of the United States.svg Pam Teeguarden
6–3, 5–7, 6–3
1975 Flag of France.svg Françoise Dürr (2)
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Betty Stöve (2)
Flag of the United States.svg Rosie Casals
Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Martina Navratilova
6–7, 6–4, 6–0
1976 Flag of the United States.svg Billie Jean King (2)
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Betty Stöve (3)
Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Linky Boshoff
Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Ilana Kloss
6–2, 6–1
1977 Flag of the United States.svg Billie Jean King (3)
Flag of the United States.svg Martina Navratilova
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Helen Gourlay Cawley
Flag of the United States.svg JoAnne Russell
6–1, 7–5
1978 Flag of the United States.svg Tracy Austin
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Betty Stöve (4)
Flag of the United States.svg Martina Navratilova
Flag of the United States.svg Anne Smith
6–4, 6–7, 6–2
1979 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Betty Stöve (5)
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Wendy Turnbull
Flag of the United States.svg Rosie Casals
Flag of the United States.svg Chris Evert
6–4, 7–6
1980 Flag of the United States.svg Pam Shriver
Flag of the United States.svg Paula Smith
Flag of the United States.svg Ann Kiyomura
Flag of the United States.svg Candy Reynolds
6–0, 6–4

See also

References

  1. "T-Bird Tennis Titles Taken by Richey's". The Arizona Republic . Phoenix, Arizona: The Wikipedia Library - newspapers.com. 24 Mar 1969. p. 8. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  2. "USLTA Tournaments: Arizona". American Lawn Tennis. New York City: Rea Publications. 1952. p. 20.
  3. "T-Bird Tennis Titles Taken by Richey's". The Arizona Republic . Phoenix, Arizona: The Wikipedia Library - newspapers.com. 24 Mar 1969. p. 8. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  4. "Spanish ace heads T-Bird tennis tourney". The Arizona Republic . Phoenix, Arizona: The Wikipedia Library - newspapers.com. 16 Mar 1969. p. 75. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  5. World of Tennis 1971
  6. "T-Bird Tennis Titles Taken by Richey's". The Arizona Republic . Phoenix, Arizona: The Wikipedia Library - newspapers.com. 24 Mar 1969. p. 8. Retrieved 23 October 2023.