Thunderbird Classic (tennis)

Last updated
Thunderbird Classic
Defunct tennis tournament
Event nameVirginia Slims Thunderbird Classic (1971–72)
Virginia Slims of Phoenix (1973–74)
Thunderbird Classic (1975–80)
Tour ILTF World Circuit (1952–71)
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 it's 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 (3) 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

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Women's Tennis Association</span> International organization for womens tennis

The Women's Tennis Association (WTA) is the principal organizing body of women's professional tennis. It governs the WTA Tour, which is the worldwide professional tennis tour for women, and was founded to create a better future for women's tennis. The WTA's corporate headquarters is in St. Petersburg, Florida, with its European headquarters in London and its Asia-Pacific headquarters in Beijing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bavarian International Tennis Championships</span> Tennis tournament

The Bavarian International Tennis Championships is a men's tennis tournament held at the MTTC Iphitos in Munich, Germany. Founded in 1899 as a combined men's and women's event. and previously known as the Bavarian Open the tournament is played on outdoor clay courts and is a part of the ATP Tour schedule.

The Belgian Open was a women's tennis tournament founded in 1899 as a combined men's and women's clay court tennis tournament.

The U.S. Professional Indoor Championships, also known as U.S. Pro Indoor, was a professional tennis tournament founded in 1962 as the Philadelphia Invitational Indoor Tennis Championships. The tournament was held in Philadelphia, United States from 1962 to 1998. It played on indoor carpet courts, and indoor hard courts. It was part of the ILTF World Circuit from 1962 to 1967 and again in 1970, the World Championship Tennis (WCT) circuit in 1968, 1969 and from 1971 to 1977 and the Grand Prix Tour from 1978 to 1989 before being held on the ATP Tour. It was held annually first at the Spectrum, and then at the CoreStates Center. It was originally named the Philadelphia Indoor Open Tournament prior to the open era.

The Berlin Open officially known as the West Berlin Open was a men's tennis tournament founded in 1896 as a combined event called the Championships of Berlin until 1914, following World War I the event was known as the Berlin Championships. The event was first played at the Lawn-Tennis-Turnier-Club until 1906. In 1907 it moved to Grunewald, and a new venue the Rot-Weiss Tennis Club. Following World War II the tournament was branded as the West Berlin International Championships. It then ran annually until 1973 as a combined event when the women's tournament was discontinued. The men's event carried on until 1983 when it was last held in West Berlin, West Germany. The event was part of the Grand Prix circuit and was played on outdoor clay courts.

The Phoenix Thunderbird Open was a combined men's and women's tennis tournament founded in 1952 as Phoenix Thunderbird Championships Invitational. Also known as the Phoenix Thunderbird Invitational it continued as a joint event until 1970 when the men's event was discontinued. In 1971 the women's tournament was re branded as the Virginia Slims Thunderbird Classic that event continued until 1980.

The Eckerd Open is a defunct WTA Tour affiliated women's tennis tournament founded in 1953 as a combined men's and women's clay court tennis tournament called the Masters Invitational tournament in St Augustine, Florida. In 1954 that event moved to Jacksonville, Florida until 1959. In 1960 the event moved to St Petersburg. It remained at the former location until 1974. After the combined event the St. Petersburg Masters Invitational finished in 1970. The womens event continued under various brand names and various locations in the Tampa Bay Area until it was abolished in 1990.

The Carolinas International Tennis Tournament, also known by its sponsored name North Carolina National Bank Tennis Classic, was a combined men's and women's tennis tournament founded in 1965. Also known as the Carolinas Invitational it was played at the Julian J. Clark Tennis Stadium on the grounds of the Olde Providence Racquet Club in Charlotte, North Carolina from 1971 through 1977. The inaugural edition was part of the Grand Prix tennis circuit while the following editions were part of the World Championship Tennis (WCT) circuit. The event was held on outdoor hard courts in 1971, and on outdoor clay courts in 1970 and from 1972 through 1977.

The St. Petersburg WCT was a men's tennis tournament founded in 1953 as the Masters Invitational in St Augustine, Florida. In 1954 that event moved to Jacksonville, Florida until 1959. In 1960 the event moved to St Petersburg. It remained at the former location until 1971. After the men's event St Petersburg Masters Invitational finished in 1971 the womens event continued as the Virginia Slims Masters St Petersburg. In 1974 the mens tournament was revived as St. Petersburg WCT until 1975 when it was abolished. The womens tournament continued under various brand names and various locations in the Tampa Bay Area until it was discontinued in 1990. The event was part of the WCT Tour and was played on outdoor hard courts.

The Virginia Slims of Fort Lauderdale is a defunct WTA Tour affiliated women's tennis tournament founded in 1946 as a combined men's and women's event called the Austin Smith Championships that was part of the ILTF Circuit. The tournament played at the Fort Lauderdale Tennis Club from 1946 to 1974. It was held in Fort Lauderdale, Florida in the United States and played on outdoor clay courts.

The Virginia Slims of Richmond is a defunct WTA Tour affiliated women's tennis tournament founded in 1968 as the Westwood Indoor Invitation. It was held at the Westwood Racquet Club in Richmond, Virginia in the United States and played on indoor clay courts. The 1970 invitational tournament was the second women's only tennis tournament after the 1970 Houston Women's Invitation.

The 1988 Virginia Slims of Arizona was a women's tennis tournament played on outdoor hard courts at The Pointe at South Mountain in Phoenix, Arizona in the United States and was part of the Category 2 tier of the 1988 WTA Tour. It was the third edition of the tournament and was held from September 12 through September 18, 1988. First-seeded Manuela Maleeva won the singles title and earned $17,000 first-prize money.

The 1970 Houston Women's Invitation was a women's only tennis tournament. The tournament was the first women only tournament and was created by Gladys Heldman and held at the Houston Racquet Club.

The Jacksonville Open also known as the Greater Jacksonville Invitation or Greater Jacksonville Open is a defunct men's and women's tennis tournament founded in 1961 as the Jacksonville Invitation originally played on outdoor hard courts later switching to indoor courts. The tournament ran until 1977.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1971 ILTF Women's Tennis Circuit</span>

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1972 ILTF Women's Tennis Circuit</span>

The 1972 ILTF Women's Tennis Circuit was the 58th season since the founding of the International Lawn Tennis Association and was the final season to be solely administered by the ILTF.

The 1986 Virginia Slims of Arizona, also known as the Virginia Slims of Phoenix, was a women's tennis tournament played on indoor hard courts at the Jordan Tennis and Racquet Center in Phoenix, Arizona in the United States and was part of the 1986 Virginia Slims World Championship Series. It was the inaugural edition of the tournament and was held from March 24 through March 30, 1986. Unseeded Beth Herr won the singles title.

The St. Petersburg Masters Invitational was a ILTF Circuit affiliated combined men's and women's clay court tennis tournament founded in 1953 as the Masters Invitational in St Augustine, Florida. In 1954 that event moved to Jacksonville, Florida until 1959. In 1960 the event moved to St Petersburg. It remained at the former location until 1971. After the men's event St Petersburg Masters Invitational was discontinued in 1971 the women's event continued as the Virginia Slims Masters St Petersburg. In 1974 the mens tournament was revived as St. Petersburg WCT until 1975 when it was abolished. the women's tournament continued under various brand names and at various locations in the Tampa Bay Area until it was discontinued in 1990.

The Madison Square Garden Open Tennis Championship also known as the Madison Square Garden Challenge Trophy and New York Indoor was a men's and women's open international indoor carpet court tennis tournament founded in 1968. It was organised by the USNLTA and played at Madison Square Garden, New York City, United States until 1970. This international tournament was part of the ILTF World Circuit until 1970 when it was replaced Clean Air Classic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1969 ILTF Women's Tennis Circuit</span>

The 1969 ILTF Women's Tennis Circuit was the 56th season since the formation of the International Lawn Tennis Federation in 1913, and the 95th season since the first women's tournaments were held in 1876.

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.