World Championship Tennis

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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 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.

Contents

The WCT had an important impact on the commercial development of tennis. It instituted a tie-breaker system, experimented the "no-ad" scoring system on 40-40 (called at times "sudden death") 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 sports promoter David Dixon, who 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, Missouri. [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 1968

WCT 1969

WCT 1970

WCT 1971

WCT 1972

WCT 1973

WCT 1974

WCT 1975

WCT 1976

WCT 1977

WCT 1982

WCT 1983

WCT 1984

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 won the WCT Houston title, beating Kevin Curren in the final.

The WCT Finals in Dallas saw the unexpected defeat of McEnroe in the quarterfinals 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 in three 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.

Nabisco Grand Prix
DateLocationTournamentPrize Money/
Surface
FinalSemifinals
Mar 3Houston, USAWCT Houston Shoot-Out$300,000
Carpet
Flag of the United States.svg John McEnroe d. Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Kevin Curren, 7–5, 6–1, 7–6John McEnroe d. Peter Fleming, 6–4, 6–0
Kevin Curren d. Shahar Perkiss, 6–2, 6–2
April 14Dallas, USA Buick WCT Finals $500,000
Carpet
Flag of the United States.svg Ivan Lendl d. Flag of the United States.svg Tim Mayotte, 7–6, 6–4, 6–1Ivan Lendl d. Jimmy Connors, 6–3, 2–1 ret.
Tim Mayotte d. Joakim Nyström, 6–4, 4–6, 6–2, 7–5
April 28Atlanta, USAWCT Atlanta$300,000
Carpet
Flag of the United States.svg John McEnroe d. Flag of the United States.svg Paul Annacone, 7–6, 7–6, 6–2John McEnroe d. Mike Leach, 6–3, 6–3
Paul Annacone d. Kevin Curren, walkover
May 12Forest Hills, USA Shearson Lehman Brothers Tournament of Champions $500,000
Clay (Har-Tru)
Flag of the United States.svg Ivan Lendl d. Flag of the United States.svg John McEnroe, 6–3, 6–3Ivan 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 top seeds Stefan Edberg and Boris Becker in the first round. Edberg lost to Mikael Pernfors, and Becker lost to Tim Wilkison. In Dallas, Anders Järryd was the unexpected winner, having replaced the injured Ivan Lendl in the 12-player draw.

Nabisco Grand Prix
DateLocationTournamentPrize Money/
Surface
FinalSemifinals
Apr 6Atlanta, USAWCT Atlanta$220,000
Carpet
Flag of the United States.svg Kevin Curren d. Flag of the United States.svg Tim Wilkison, 7–6, 7–6Kevin Curren d. Brian Teacher, 6–4, 6–2
Tim Wilkison d. David Pate, 6–4, 2–6, 6–4
Apr 13Dallas, USA Buick WCT Finals $500,000
Carpet
Flag of Sweden.svg Anders Järryd d. Flag of Germany.svg Boris Becker, 6–7, 6–1, 6–1, 6–4Anders Järryd d. Mats Wilander, 6–4, 7–5, 6–3
Boris Becker d. Stefan Edberg 7–6, 7–6, 4–6, 7–6
May 11Forest Hills, Queens, USA Shearson Lehman Brothers Tournament of Champions $500,000
Clay (Har-Tru)
Flag of France.svg Yannick Noah d. Flag of Argentina.svg Guillermo Vilas, 7–6, 6–0Yannick Noah d. Ivan Lendl, 6–3, 7–5
Guillermo Vilas d. Martín Jaite, 6–3, 6–3
Oct 12Scottsdale, USAWCT Scottsdale Open$220,000
Hard
Flag of the United States.svg John McEnroe d. Flag of the United States.svg Kevin Curren, 6–3, 3–6, 6–2John McEnroe d. David Pate, 6–3, 6–3
Kevin Curren d. Todd Witsken, 7–5, 6–7, 6–4
Nov 23Houston, USAWCT Houston Shoot-Out$220,000
Carpet
Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg Slobodan Živojinović d. Flag of the United States.svg Scott Davis, 6–1, 4–6, 6–3Slobodan Živojinović d. Derrick Rostagno, 6–4, 6–4
Scott Davis d. Eliot Teltscher, 7–5, 6–4

WCT 1987

Nabisco Grand Prix
DateLocationTournamentPrize Money/
Surface
FinalSemifinals
Apr 12Dallas, USA WCT Finals $500,000
Carpet
Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Miloslav Mečíř d. Flag of the United States.svg John McEnroe, 6–0, 3–6, 6–2, 6–2Miloslav 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 10Forest Hills, USA Shearson Lehman Brothers Tournament of Champions $500,000
Clay (Har-Tru)
Flag of Ecuador.svg Andrés Gómez d. Flag of France.svg Yannick Noah, 6–4, 7–6, 7–6Andrés Gómez d. Boris Becker, 4–6, 6–4, 6–3
Yannick Noah d. Slobodan Živojinović, 6–3, 7–5
Oct 11Scottsdale, USAWCT Scottsdale Open$232,000
Hard
Flag of the United States.svg Brad Gilbert d. Flag of the United States.svg Eliot Teltscher, 6–2, 6–2Brad Gilbert d. Michael Chang 6–3, 6–4
Eliot Teltscher d. David Pate 7–6, 7–5

WCT 1988

Nabisco Grand Prix
DateLocationTournamentPrize Money/
Surface
FinalSemifinals
Apr 3Dallas, USA WCT Finals $500,000
Carpet
Flag of Germany.svg Boris Becker d. Flag of Sweden.svg Stefan Edberg, 6–4, 1–6, 7–5, 6–2Boris Becker d. Brad Gilbert, 6–4, 6–2, 6–1
Stefan Edberg d. Yannick Noah, 6–2, 4–6, 6–3, 6–3
May 8Forest Hills, USA Eagle Tournament of Champions $485,000
Clay (Har-Tru)
Flag of the United States.svg Andre Agassi d. Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg Slobodan Živojinović, 7–5, 7–6, 7–5Andre Agassi d. Aaron Krickstein, 6–3, 6–3
Slobodan Živojinović d. Luiz Mattar, 7–6, 6–3
Oct 9Scottsdale, USAWCT Eagle Classic$297,000
Hard
Flag of Sweden.svg Mikael Pernfors d. Flag of the United States.svg Glenn Layendecker, 6–2, 6–4Mikael 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.

At the 19th (and last) WCT Finals in Reunion Arena, John McEnroe won his fifth Dallas title. His semifinal with Ivan Lendl produced the best match of the tournament, and McEnroe beat Lendl for the first time in over three 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.

Nabisco Grand Prix
DateLocationTournamentPrize Money/
Surface
FinalSemifinals
Mar 5Dallas, USA WCT Finals $500,000
Carpet
Flag of the United States.svg John McEnroe d. Flag of the United States.svg Brad Gilbert, 6–3, 6–3, 7–6John 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 12Scottsdale, USAWCT Eagle Classic$297,000
Hard
Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Ivan Lendl d. Flag of Sweden.svg Stefan Edberg, 6–2, 6–3Ivan Lendl d. Emilio Sánchez, 6–2, 3–6, 6–3
Stefan Edberg d. Amos Mansdorf, 6–7, 6–4, 6–1
May 8Forest Hills, USA Eagle Tournament of Champions $485,000
Clay (Har-Tru)
Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Ivan Lendl d. Flag of Peru.svg Jaime Yzaga, 6–2, 6–1Ivan 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 green clay to hardcourts and run as special non-ATP Tour event. Ivan Lendl stamped his WCT dominance winning the last title.

Special event
DateLocationTournamentPrize Money/
Surface
FinalSemifinals
Aug 26Forest Hills, USA WCT Tournament of Champions $500,000
Hard
Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Ivan Lendl d. Flag of the United States.svg Aaron Krickstein, 6–4, 6–7, 6–3Ivan 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.

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, Michigan.

YearChampionRunner-upScore
1971 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Ken Rosewall Flag of Australia (converted).svg Rod Laver 6–4, 1–6, 7–6(7–3), 7–6(7–4)
1972 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Ken Rosewall Flag of Australia (converted).svg Rod Laver4–6, 6–0, 6–3, 6–7, 7–6
1972 winter (Rome) Flag of the United States.svg Arthur Ashe Flag of the United States.svg Bob Lutz 6–2, 3–6, 6–3, 3–6, 7–6
1973 Flag of the United States.svg Stan Smith Flag of the United States.svg Arthur Ashe6–3, 6–3, 4–6, 6–4
1974 Flag of Australia (converted).svg John Newcombe Flag of Sweden.svg Björn Borg 4–6, 6–3, 6–3, 6–2
1975 Flag of the United States.svg Arthur Ashe Flag of Sweden.svg Björn Borg3–6, 6–4, 6–4, 6–0
1976 Flag of Sweden.svg Björn Borg Flag of Argentina.svg Guillermo Vilas 1–6, 6–1, 7–5, 6–1
1977 Flag of the United States.svg Jimmy Connors Flag of the United States.svg Dick Stockton 6–7, 6–1, 6–4, 6–3
1978 Flag of the United States.svg Vitas Gerulaitis Flag of the United States.svg Eddie Dibbs 6–3, 6–2, 6–1
1979 Flag of the United States.svg John McEnroe Flag of Sweden.svg Björn Borg7–5, 4–6, 6–2, 7–6
1980 Flag of the United States.svg Jimmy Connors Flag of the United States.svg John McEnroe2–6, 7–6, 6–1, 6–2
1981 Flag of the United States.svg John McEnroe Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Johan Kriek 6–1, 6–2, 6–4
1982 Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Ivan Lendl Flag of the United States.svg John McEnroe6–2, 3–6, 6–3, 6–3
1982 fall (Naples) Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Ivan Lendl Flag of Poland.svg Wojciech Fibak 6–4, 6–2, 6–1
1982 winter (Detroit) Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Ivan Lendl Flag of Argentina.svg Guillermo Vilas 7–5, 6–2, 2–6, 6–4
1983 Flag of the United States.svg John McEnroe Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Ivan Lendl6–2, 4–6, 6–3, 6–7, 7–6
1984 Flag of the United States.svg John McEnroe Flag of the United States.svg Jimmy Connors6–1, 6–2, 6–3
1985 Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Ivan Lendl Flag of the United States.svg Tim Mayotte 7–6, 6–4, 6–1
1986 Flag of Sweden.svg Anders Järryd Flag of Germany.svg Boris Becker 6–7, 6–1, 6–1, 6–4
1987 Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Miloslav Mečíř Flag of the United States.svg John McEnroe6–0, 3–6, 6–2, 6–2
1988 Flag of Germany.svg Boris Becker Flag of Sweden.svg Stefan Edberg 6–4, 1–6, 7–5, 6–2
1989 Flag of the United States.svg John McEnroe Flag of the United States.svg Brad Gilbert 6–3, 6–3, 7–6

WCT final rankings by year

1971

  1. Flag of Australia (converted).svg R. Laver
  2. Flag of the Netherlands.svg T. Okker
  3. Flag of Australia (converted).svg K. Rosewall
  4. Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg C. Drysdale
  5. Flag of the United States.svg A. Ashe
  6. Flag of Australia (converted).svg J. Newcombe
  7. Flag of the United States.svg M. Riessen
  8. Flag of the United States.svg B. Lutz
  9. Flag of Australia (converted).svg R. Emerson
  10. Flag of Spain (1945-1977).svg A. Gimeno

1972

One ranking was issued for the second part of 1971 and first part of 1972, and another for the second part of 1972 final standings. The first eight players in the second ranking played the 1972 autumn-winter WCT Finals held in Rome.

1973

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. [17]

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.

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.

1976–1983: All the players were put back together and played the same tournaments.

1982

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: [21]

1983

There were only 9 tournaments and the WCT were back with the Grand Prix circuit.

  1. Flag of the Czech Republic.svg I. Lendl
  2. Flag of the United States.svg J. McEnroe
  3. Flag of Argentina.svg G. Vilas
  4. Flag of the United States.svg V. Gerulaitis
  5. Flag of Argentina.svg J. L. Clerc
  6. Flag of Australia (converted).svg P. McNamee
  7. Flag of the Czech Republic.svg T. Šmíd
  8. Flag of Poland.svg W. Fibak
  9. Flag of Hungary.svg B. Taróczy
  10. Flag of the United States.svg B. 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

See also

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The 1980 Volvo Grand Prix was a men's professional tennis circuit held that year. It incorporated the four grand slam tournaments, the Grand Prix tournaments. The Grand Prix circuit is a precursor to the ATP Tour.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1973 World Championship Tennis circuit</span>

The 1973 World Championship Tennis circuit was one of the two rival professional male tennis circuits of 1973. It was organized by World Championship Tennis (WCT). In April 1972 WCT signed an agreement with the International Lawn Tennis Federation (ILTF) as a result of which the 1973 men's tennis season was divided in a WCT section, which ran from January until May, and a Grand Prix circuit which was held from May onward. The WCT circuit divided the players into two groups of 32 players, with each group playing 11 tournaments of the 22 tournaments. The four highest ranked players from each group qualified for the season finals in Dallas. The total available prize money was almost $1,250,000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1978 Grand Prix (tennis)</span> Tennis circuit

The 1978 Colgate-Palmolive Grand Prix was a professional tennis circuit held that year. It consisted of four Grand Slam tournaments, the Grand Prix tournaments and the Nations Cup, a team event. In addition eight World Championship Tennis (WCT) tournaments, a separate professional tennis circuit held from 1971 through 1977, were incorporated into the Grand Prix circuit. The 28 tournaments with prize money of $175,000 or more formed the Super Series category. Jimmy Connors won 10 of the 84 tournaments which secured him the first place in the Grand Prix points ranking. However he did not play enough tournaments (13) to qualify for largest share ($300,000) of the bonus pool, which instead went to third–ranked Eddie Dibbs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1972 Grand Prix (tennis)</span>

The 1972 Commercial Union Assurance Grand Prix was a professional tennis circuit held that year and organized by the International Lawn Tennis Federation (ILTF). It consisted of 33 Grand Prix tournaments in different categories including three of the four Grand Slam tournaments and was followed by a season-ending Masters tournament. The circuit ran from February through November.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1971 Grand Prix (tennis)</span>

The 1971 Pepsi Cola Grand Prix was a professional tennis circuit held that year. It incorporated three of the four Grand Slam tournaments, the Grand Prix tournaments. It was the second edition of the Grand Prix circuit and was run by the International Lawn Tennis Federation (ITLF). In addition to regular tournament prize money a bonus prize money pool of £60,000 ($150,000) was available to be divided among the 20 highest ranking players after the last tournament. To be eligible for a share of the bonus pool a player had to compete in a minimum of nine tournaments. The circuit culminated in a Masters event in Paris for the seven highest point scoring players. Stan Smith was the winner of the circuit with 187 ranking points and four tournament victories.

The 1971 Washington Star International was a men's tennis tournament and was played on outdoor clay courts. The event was the third edition of the tournament and was part of both the 1971 Grand Prix circuit and 1971 World Championship Tennis circuit. It was held in Washington, D.C., United States from July 12 through July 18, 1971. Ken Rosewall won the singles title and earned a $10,000 first prize.

The 1985 WCT Tournament of Champions was a men's tennis tournament played on outdoor clay courts in Forest Hills, Queens, New York City in the United States. The event was part of the Super Series of the 1985 Grand Prix circuit and was organized by World Championship Tennis (WCT). It was the ninth edition of the tournament and was held from May 6 through May 12, 1985. No.2 seeded Ivan Lendl won the singles title, his second at the event after 1982.

References

  1. John Barrett, ed. (1971). World of Tennis 1971. London: Queen Anne Press. pp. 141–144. ISBN   978-0362000917.
  2. "Hunt gains breakthrough with TV tennis contract". The Windsor Star. November 4, 1971 via Google News Archive.
  3. 1 2 Tom Koch (March 1988). "It Was 20 Years Ago Today". D Magazine.
  4. "Roche at Top Form in Final" Sydney Morning Herald, January 26, 1968. Page 12
  5. Frank Deford (February 12, 1968). "Now Tennis Goes Mod". Sports Illustrated. Vol. 28, no. 6. pp. 12–15.
  6. "Tennis Amateur Says Wage Runs About $9,600 a Year". Lawrence Journal-World. AP. January 4, 1968. p. Eleven.
  7. Bob Briner; Frank Deford (April 19, 1971). "But It Looked Like A Great New Racket". Sports Illustrated. Vol. 34, no. 16. pp. 56–64.
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  10. Bud Collins (2010). The Bud Collins History of Tennis (2nd ed.). [New York]: New Chapter Press. p. 160. ISBN   978-0942257700.
  11. "ITF – History". International Tennis Federation (ITF).
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  13. Curry Kirkpatrick (May 16, 1983). "And Suddenly He's A Man Of Clay". Sports Illustrated. Vol. 58, no. 20. pp. 40–47.
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  15. 1 2 "W.C.T. Out of Business". The New York Times. August 28, 1990.
  16. "Some Changes At Forest Hills". The New York Times. April 29, 1989.
  17. John Barrett, ed. (1974). World of Tennis '74. London: Queen Anne Press. pp. 167, 168. ISBN   978-0362001679.
  18. World of tennis 1977 : a BP yearbook. Internet Archive. London : Macdonald & Jane's. 1977. p. 142. ISBN   978-0-354-09010-0.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  19. John Barrett, ed. (1980). World of Tennis 1980. London: Queen Anne Press. p. 179. ISBN   9780362020120.
  20. Tingay, Lance; Barrett, John; International Tennis Federation (1982). Slazengers world of tennis 1982 : the official yearbook of the International Tennis Federation. Internet Archive. London : Queen Anne Press. p. 178. ISBN   978-0-356-08596-8.
  21. Slazengers world of tennis. 1983. Internet Archive. London : Queen Anne Press. 1983. p. 161. ISBN   978-0-356-09383-3.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)