1971 Women's Tennis Circuit

The 1971 Women's Tennis Circuit consisted of a number of tennis tournaments for female tennis players. It was composed of two series of events (circuits or tours); the Virginia Slims Circuit and the ILTF Pepsi Grand Prix as well as non-tour events.[1][2]

1971 Women's Tennis Circuit
Billie Jean King pictured in 2011 won 17 tour titles
Details
Duration22 December 1970 – 20 December 1971
Edition1st
Tournaments69
CategoriesGrand Slam (4)
Virginia Slims Circuit (19)
ILTF Pepsi Grand Prix (17)[lower-alpha 1]
Non-Tour Events (30)
Achievements (singles)
Most tournament titles Billie Jean King (17)
Most tournament finals Billie Jean King (25)
1972

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.[3][4]

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.[3]

Key
Grand Slam tournaments
Virginia Slims Circuit
ILTF Pepsi Grand Prix
Non-tour events
Team events

December (1970)

Week Tournament Champions Runners-up Semifinalists Quarterfinalists
29 DecFederation Cup
Perth, Australia
Federation Cup
Grass – 14 teams knockout
 Australia
3–0
 Great Britain France
 United States
 Yugoslavia
 Netherlands
 South Africa
 New Zealand
Western Australia Championships
Perth, Australia
Non-Tour Event
SinglesDoubles
Margaret Court
6–1, 6–2
Virginia Wade Gail Chanfreau
Betty Stove
Winnie Shaw
Patti Hogan
Laura Rossouw
Lesley Hunt
Margaret Court
Evonne Goolagong
6–4, 7–5
Winnie Shaw
Virginia Wade

January

Week Tournament Champions Runners-up Semifinalists Quarterfinalists
4 JanBritish Motor Cars Invitational
San Francisco, United States
Virginia Slims
$15,200 – Hard – 16S/8D
SinglesDoubles
Billie Jean King
6–3, 6–4
Rosie Casals Ann Jones (3rd)
Nancy Richey (4th)
Françoise Dürr
Kerry Melville
Jane Bartkowicz
Mary-Ann Eisel
Rosie Casals
Billie Jean King
6–4, 6–7, 6–1
Françoise Dürr
Ann Jones
New South Wales Open
Sydney
Non-Tour Event
SinglesDoubles
Margaret Court
6–2, 6–2
Olga Morozova Gail Chanfreau
Kazuko Sawamatsu
Brenda Kirk
Kristien Kemmer
Betty Stöve
Patti Hogan
Margaret Court
Olga Morozova
6–2, 6–0
Helen Gourlay
Kerry Harris
11 JanBillie Jean King Invitational
Long Beach, United States
Virginia Slims
$14,000 – Hard – 16S/8D
SinglesDoubles
Billie Jean King
6–1, 6–2
Rosie Casals Ann Jones
Nancy Richey
Stephanie Johnson
Valerie Ziegenfuss
Denise Carter
Mary-Ann Eisel
Rosie Casals
Billie Jean King
7–5, 6–3
Françoise Dürr
Ann Jones
18 JanVirginia Slims of Milwaukee
Milwaukee, United States
Virginia Slims
$12,500 – Hard (i) – 16S/8D
SinglesDoubles
Billie Jean King
6–1, 6–2
Rosie Casals Ann Jones
Françoise Dürr
Mary-Ann Eisel
Karen Krantzcke
Valerie Ziegenfuss
Denise Carter
Rosie Casals
Billie Jean King
6–3, 1–6, 6–2
Françoise Dürr
Ann Jones
25 JanVirginia Slims of Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City, United States
Virginia Slims
$12,500 – Hard – 16S/4D
SinglesDoubles
Billie Jean King
1–6, 7–6, 6–4
Rosie Casals Ann Jones
Françoise Dürr
Kerry Melville
Denise Carter
Tory Fretz
Mary-Ann Eisel
Rosie Casals
Billie Jean King
6–7, 6–0, 7–5
Mary-Ann Eisel
Valerie Ziegenfuss
Victoria Championships
Melbourne, Australia
Non-Tour Event
Singles
Evonne Goolagong
7–6, 7–6
Margaret Court Kazuko Sawamatsu
Winnie Shaw
Patti Hogan
Olga Morozova
Trudy Walhof
Gail Chanfreau

February

Week Tournament Champions Runners-up Semifinalists Quarterfinalists
1 FebVirginia Slims of Chattanooga
Chattanooga, United States
Virginia Slims
$12,700 – Hard (i) – 16S/8D
SinglesDoubles
Billie Jean King
6–4, 6–1
Ann Jones Françoise Dürr
Kerry Melville
Jane Bartkowicz
Karen Krantzcke
Kristy Pigeon
Rosie Casals
Rosie Casals
Billie Jean King
6–4, 7–5
Françoise Dürr
Ann Jones
BP New Zealand Championships
Christchurch, New Zealand
Non-Tour Event
SinglesDoubles
Evonne Goolagong
6–1, 6–4
Betty Stöve Kathleen Harter
Gail Chanfreau
Laura Rossouw
Trudy Walhof
Patty Ann Reese
Winnie Shaw
Kathleen Harter
Winnie Shaw
6–4, 4–6, 7–5
Gail Chanfreau
Evonne Goolagong
8 FebPhiladelphia Indoor Championships
Philadelphia, United States
Virginia Slims
$12,500 – Hard (i) – 16S
SinglesDoubles
Rosie Casals
6–2, 3–6, 6–2
Françoise Dürr Billie Jean King
Ann Jones
Tory Fretz
Denise Carter
Kerry Melville
Judy Tegart Dalton
Rosie Casals
Billie Jean King
15 FebStation WLOD
Fort Lauderdale, United States
Virginia Slims
$10,000 – Clay – 16S
SinglesDoubles
Françoise Dürr
6–3, 3–6, 6–3
Billie Jean King Kerry Melville
Rosie Casals
Judy Dalton
Ann Jones
Denise Carter
Valerie Ziegenfuss
USSR Championships
Moscow, Soviet Union
Non-Tour Event
SinglesDoubles
Olga Morozova
6–1, 7–5
Maria Kull Elena Granaturova
Anna Yeremeyeva
Yekaterina Kryuchkova
Marina Kroschina
Eugenia Birioukova
Rausa Islanova
Eugenia Birioukova
Marina Kroschina
7–6, 5–7, 7–5
Elena Granaturova
Olga Morozova
22 FebVirginia Slims National Indoor Championships
Boston, United States
Virginia Slims
$12,500 – Hard (i) – 16S/2D
SinglesDoubles
Billie Jean King
4–6, 6–2, 6–3
Rosie Casals Ann Jones
Françoise Dürr
Judy Tegart Dalton
Jane Bartkowicz
Kristy Pigeon
Kerry Melville
Rosie Casals
Billie Jean King
6–4, 7–5
Françoise Dürr
Ann Jones

March

Week Tournament Champions Runners-up Semifinalists Quarterfinalists
1 MarBenson & Hedges Centennial Open
Auckland, New Zealand
Non-Tour Event
SinglesDoubles
Margaret Court
3–6, 7–6(5–1), 6–2
Evonne Goolagong Winnie Shaw
Patti Hogan
Sharon Walsh
Lesley Bowrey
Lesley Hunt
Marilyn Pryde
Margaret Court
Evonne Goolagong
7–6, 6–0
Lesley Bowrey
Winnie Shaw
8 MarDunlop Australian Open
Sydney, Australia
Grand Slam
Grass – 30S/14D
SinglesDoubles
Margaret Court
2–6, 7–6, 7–5
Evonne Goolagong Lesley Hunt
Winnie Shaw
Helen Gourlay
Jan O'Neill
Norma Marsh
Sharon Walsh
Margaret Court
Evonne Goolagong
6–0, 6–0
Joy Emerson
Lesley Hunt
15 MarVirginia Slims US Indoors
Detroit, United States
Virginia Slims
$10,000 – Hard (i) – 8S/2D
SinglesDoubles
Billie Jean King
3–6, 6–1, 6–2
Rosie Casals Ann Jones
Mary-Ann Eisel
Valerie Ziegenfuss
Tory Fretz
Wendy Gilchrist
Judy Tegart Dalton
Mary-Ann Eisel
Valerie Ziegenfuss
2–6, 6–2, 6–3
Judy Tegart Dalton
Jane Bartkowicz
22 MarVirginia Slims of New York
New York, United States
Virginia Slims
$15,600 – Hard (i) – 20S
SinglesDoubles
Rosie Casals
6–4, 6–4
Billie Jean King3rd: Ann Jones
4th: Françoise Dürr
Julie Heldman
Kerry Melville
Cecilia Martinez
Jane Bartkowicz
29 MarCaribe Hilton Invitational
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Virginia Slims
$10,000 – 24S/11D
SinglesDoubles
Ann Jones
6–4, 6–4
Nancy Richey Mary-Ann Eisel
Jane Bartkowicz
Denise Carter
Tory Fretz
Judy Tegart Dalton
Rosie Casals
Françoise Dürr
Ann Jones
7–6, 6–3
Karen Krantzcke
Kerry Melville
Natal Open Championships
Durban, South Africa
Non-Tour Event
SinglesDoubles
Margaret Court
6–2, 6–1
Patti Hogan Virginia Wade
Heide Schildeknecht
Lesley Hunt
Winnie Shaw
Evonne Goolagong
Helga Niessen Masthoff
Margaret Court
Evonne Goolagong
3–6, 6–3, 6–3
Kerry Harris
Winnie Shaw

April

Week Tournament Champions Runners-up Semifinalists Quarterfinalists
5 AprVirginia Slims Masters
St. Petersburg, United States
Virginia Slims
$10,000 – Clay – 16S/15Q/11D
SinglesDoubles
Chris Evert
6–1, 6–2
Julie Heldman Billie Jean King
Rosie Casals
Karen Krantzcke
Judy Alvarez
Kerry Melville
Judy Tegart Dalton
Françoise Dürr
Ann Jones
7–6, 3–6, 6–3
Judy Tegart Dalton
Julie Heldman
Monte Carlo Open Championships
Monte Carlo, Monaco
Non-Tour Event
16S/4D
SinglesDoubles
Gail Chanfreau
6–4, 4–6, 6–4
Betty Stöve Christina Sandberg
Odile de Roubin
Lucia Bassi
Marie Neumannová
Katalin Borka
Lea Pericoli
Katja Ebbinghaus
Betty Stöve
6–4, 6–3
Lucia Bassi
Lea Pericoli
South Africa Open
Johannesburg, South Africa
Non-Tour Event
26S/8D
SinglesDoubles
Margaret Court
6–3, 6–1
Evonne Goolagong Winnie Shaw
Virginia Wade
Kerry Harris
Helga Niessen Masthoff
Pat Walkden
Patti Hogan
Margaret Court
Evonne Goolagong
6–3, 6–2
Brenda Kirk
Laura Rossouw
12 AprCaesar's Palace World Pro Championships
Las Vegas, United States
Virginia Slims
$29,200 – Hard – 16S/13Q/10D
SinglesDoubles
Ann Jones
7–5, 6–4
Billie Jean King Julie Heldman
Judy Dalton
Nancy Richey
Françoise Dürr
Mary-Ann Eisel
Rosie Casals
Françoise Dürr
Ann Jones
0–6, 6–2, 6–4
Rosie Casals
Billie Jean King
USA National Bank Open
Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
Non-Tour Event
6S/2D
SinglesDoubles
Chris Evert
6–2, 6–0
Laura duPont Janet Newberry
Eliza Pande
Sue Stap
Beverly Cansler
Chris Evert
Sue Stap
6–3, 1–6, 6–3
Janet Newberry
Eliza Pande
19 AprVirginia Slims of San Diego
San Diego, United States
Virginia Slims
$12,500 – Hard – 16S/4D
SinglesDoubles
Billie Jean King
4–6, 7–5, 6–1
Rosie Casals Julie Heldman
Valerie Ziegenfuss
Esmé Emmanuel
Kerry Melville
Tory Fretz
Kristy Pigeon
Rosie Casals
Billie Jean King
6–7, 6–2, 6–3
Françoise Dürr
Judy Tegart Dalton
Catania Open Grand Prix
Catania, Italy
Non-Tour Event
15S/8D
SinglesDoubles
Virginia Wade
6–0, 6–3
Gail Chanfreau Helga Schultze
Laura Rossouw
Marie Neumannová
Brenda Kirk
Miroslava Holubová
Pam Teeguarden
Pam Teeguarden
Virginia Wade
6–4, 6–4
Gail Chanfreau
Helga Schultze
26 AprRothmans Sutton
Sutton, United Kingdom
Non-Tour Event
SinglesDoubles
Evonne Goolagong
7–5, 2–6, 6–3
Joyce Williams Jill Cooper
Shirley Brasher
Barbara Hawcroft
Nell Truman
Susan Minford
Sally Holdsworth
Evonne Goolagong
Joyce Williams
6–4, 6–3
Shirley Brasher
Margaret Cooper
River Plate Championships
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Non-Tour Event
SinglesDoubles
Olga Morozova
6–0, 6–3
Anna-Maria Nasuelli Betty Stove
Beatriz Araujo
Marta Fernández Ruiz
Raquel Giscafré
Inés Roget
Graciela Morán
Olga Morozova
Betty Stöve
7–5, 6–1
Beatriz Araujo
Ines Roget

May

Week Tournament Champions Runners-up Semifinalists Quarterfinalists
3 MayItalian Open
Rome, Italy
Non-Tour Event
SinglesDoubles
Virginia Wade
6–4, 6–4
Helga Niessen Masthoff Helga Schultze
Gail Chanfreau
Marie Neumanova
Lesley Bowrey
Lea Pericoli
Laura Rossouw
Helga Niessen Masthoff
Virginia Wade
5–7, 6–2, 6–2
Lesley Bowrey
Helen Gourlay
Tulsa Claycourts
Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States
Non-Tour Event
10S/4D
SinglesDoubles
Chris Evert
6–0, 6–3
Mary-Ann Eisel Laura duPont
Marcie Louie
Jeanne Evert
Karin Benson
Kathy Kraft
Sue Stap
Mary-Ann Eisel
Karin Benson
2–6, 7–5, 7–5
Chris Evert
Jeanne Evert
10 MayLondon Hard Court Championships
London, England
Grand Prix Circuit (C)
Margaret Court
6–0, 6–3
Françoise Dürr Gail Chanfreau
Virginia Wade
Julie Heldman
Nell Truman
Judy Dalton
Rosie Casals
Rosie Casals
Billie Jean King
6–1, 6–4
Margaret Court
Evonne Goolagong
17 MayBritish Hard Court Championships
Bournemouth, England
Grand Prix Circuit (B)
Margaret Court
7–5, 6–1
Evonne Goolagong Françoise Dürr
Mary–Ann Curtis
Winnie Shaw
Tory Fretz
Betty Stove
Patti Hogan
Mary–Ann Curtis
Françoise Dürr
6–3, 5–7, 6–4
Margaret Court
Evonne Goolagong
Grand Prix German Open
Hamburg, West Germany
Grand Prix Circuit (B)
Billie Jean King
6–3, 6–2
Helga Masthoff Helga Hösl
Rosie Casals
Heide Orth
Valerie Ziegenfuss
Kazuko Sawamatsu
Kerry Melville
Rosie Casals
Billie Jean King
6–2, 6–1
Helga Masthoff
Heide Orth
24 May
31 May
French Open
Paris, France
Grand Slam (A)
Clay – 64S/44Q/32D/38X
SinglesDoublesMixed
Evonne Goolagong
6–3, 7–5
Helen Gourlay Marijke Schaar
Nancy Richey
Linda Tuero
Françoise Dürr
Lesley Bowrey
Gail Chanfreau
Gail Chanfreau
Françoise Dürr
6–4, 6–1
Helen Gourlay
Kerry Harris
Jean-Claude Barclay
Françoise Dürr
6–3, 6–4
Toomas Leius
Winnie Shaw

June

Week Tournament Champions Runners-up Semifinalists Quarterfinalists
7 JunPlayers Nottingham
Nottingham, United Kingdom
Non-Tour Event
SinglesDoubles
Julie Heldman
6–4, 7–9, 6–3
Barbara Hawcroft Helen Amos
Laura Rossouw
Brenda Kirk
Michelle Rodríguez
Patricia Faulkner
Madeleine Pegel
Françoise Dürr
Julie Heldman
6–0, 6–3
Ana María Pinto Bravo
Raquel Giscafré
Kent Championships
Beckenham, United Kingdom
Non-Tour Event
SinglesDoubles
Kerry Melville
6–0, 3–6, 9–7
Kristy Pigeon Patti Hogan
Wendy Gilchrist
Tam O'Shaughnessy
Janet Newberry
Betty Stove
Christine Janes
Christine Truman
Nell Truman
6–3, 9–7
Olga Morozova
Zaiga Yanzone
14 JunQueen's Club Championships
London, England
Grand Prix Circuit (D)
Grass – 64S/32D
Margaret Court
6–3, 3–6, 6–3
Billie Jean King Rosie Casals
Virginia Wade
Kristy Pigeon
Jill Cooper
Christine Janes
Helen Gourlay
Rosie Casals
Billie Jean King
6–2, 8–6
Mary–Ann Curtis
Valerie Ziegenfuss
21 Jun
28 June
Wimbledon Championships
London, England
Grand Slam (A)
Grass – 96S/24D/80X
SinglesDoublesMixed
Evonne Goolagong
6–4, 6–1
Margaret Court Judy Tegart Dalton
Billie Jean King
Winnie Shaw
Kerry Melville
Nancy Richey
Françoise Dürr
Rosie Casals
Billie Jean King
6–3, 6–2
Margaret Court
Evonne Goolagong
Owen Davidson
Billie Jean King
3–6, 6–2, 15–13
Marty Riessen
Margaret Court

July

Evonne Goolagong at the 1971 Dutch Open Championships
Week Tournament Champions Runners-up Semifinalists Quarterfinalists
5 JulSwedish Open
Bastad, Sweden
Grand Prix Circuit (B)
Clay – 32S/32D
Helga Masthoff
4–6, 6–1, 6–3
Ingrid Bentzer Christina Sandberg
Linda Tuero
Ana María Pinto Bravo
Heide Orth
Ann-Charlotte Dahlberg
Odile de Roubin
Helga Masthoff
Heide Orth
6–2, 6–1
Ana María Pinto Bravo
Linda Tuero
Open Welsh Championships
Newport, Wales
Grand Prix Circuit (C)
Grass – S32/D16
Virginia Wade
6–3, 6–4
Judy Tegart Dalton Winnie Shaw
Helen Gourlay
Kerry Harris
Elizabeth James
Gail Chanfreau
Joyce Williams
Helen Gourlay
Kerry Harris
6–3, 8–6
Gail Chanfreau
Winnie Shaw
Swiss Open
Gstaad, Switzerland
Grand Prix Circuit (B)
Clay – S32/D16
Françoise Dürr
6–3, 6–3
Lesley Hunt Marijke Schaar
Alena Palmeová-West
Lea Pericoli
Fiorella Bonicelli
Silvia Gubler
Laura Rossouw
Brenda Kirk
Laura Rossouw
8–6, 6–3
Françoise Dürr
Lea Pericoli
Carroll's Irish Open
Dublin, Ireland
Non-Tour Event
SinglesDoubles
Margaret Court
6–3, 2–6, 6–3
Evonne Goolagong Betty Stove
Lesley Bowrey
Geraldine Barniville
Sue Minford
Veronica Burton
Tam O'Shaughnessy
Kathleen Harter
Winnie Shaw
6–4, 4–6, 7–5
Gail Chanfreau
Evonne Goolagong
12 JulNorth of England Championships
Hoylake, England
Grand Prix Circuit (C)
Grass – 32S/16D
SinglesDoubles
Billie Jean King
6–3, 6–3
Rosie Casals Margaret Court
Patti Hogan
Evonne Goolagong
Judy Tegart Dalton
Virginia Wade
Julie Heldman
Rosie Casals
Billie Jean King
walkover
Margaret Court
Evonne Goolagong
19 JulGreen Shield Midland Championships
Leicester, England
Non-Tour Event
SinglesDoubles
Evonne Goolagong
6–2, 6–4
Patti Hogan Helen Gourlay
Judy Tegart Dalton
Kristien Kemmer
Kerry Harris
Barbara Hawcroft
Fay Toyne
Judy Tegart Dalton
Evonne Goolagong
8–6, 6–4
Barbara Hawcroft
Patti Hogan
Austrian Open
Kitzbühel, Austria
Non-Tour Event
SinglesDoubles
Billie Jean King
6–2, 4–6, 7–5
Laura Rossouw Helga Schultze
Rosie Casals
Heide Orth
Tory Fretz
Ana María Arias
Brenda Kirk
Rosie Casals
Billie Jean King
6–2, 6–4
Helga Niessen Masthoff
Heide Orth
26 JulDutch Open Championships
Hilversum, Netherlands[5]
Non-Tour Event
SinglesDoubles
Evonne Goolagong
8–6, 6–3
Christina Sandberg Kora Schediwy
Betty Stöve
Trudy Waldhof
Katja Ebbinghaus
Brenda Kirk
Alena Palmeová-West
Christina Sandberg
Betty Stöve
6–1, 6–2
Katja Ebbinghaus
Trudy Waldhof

August

Week Tournament Champions Runners-up Semifinalists Quarterfinalists
2 AugVirginia Slims International
Houston, United States
Virginia Slims
$40,000
SinglesDoubles
Billie Jean King
6–4, 4–6, 6–1
Kerry Melville3rd: Nancy Richey
4th: Judy Tegart Dalton
Mary-Ann Eisel
Julie Heldman
Françoise Dürr
Rosie Casals
Rosie Casals
Billie Jean King
6–3, 1–6, 6–2
Judy Tegart Dalton
Françoise Dürr
Cincinnati Open
Cincinnati, United States
Grand Prix Circuit (C)
Hard – 32S/16D
Virginia Wade
6–3, 6–3
Linda Tuero Gail Chanfreau
Helen Gourlay
Nathalie Fuchs
Winnie Shaw
Sue Stap
Kerry Harris
Helen Gourlay
Kerry Harris
6–4, 6–4
Gail Chanfreau
Winnie Shaw
9 AugWomen's Clay Court Championships
Indianapolis, USA
Grand Prix Circuit (D)
Clay – 32S/16D
Billie Jean King
6–4, 7–5
Linda Tuero Helen Gourlay
Gail Chanfreau
Julie Heldman
Winnie Shaw
Kerry Harris
Kerry Melville
Judy Dalton
Billie Jean King
6–1, 6–2
Julie Heldman
Linda Tuero
16 AugVirginia Slims of Chicago
Lake Bluff, IL, United States
Virginia Slims
$20,000 – Clay
SinglesDoubles
Françoise Dürr
6–4, 6–2
Billie Jean King Nancy Richey
Rosie Casals
Lesley Hunt
Betty Ann Hansen
Judy Tegart Dalton
Linda Tuero
Judy Tegart Dalton
Françoise Dürr
6–4, 7–6
Rosie Casals
Billie Jean King
Wightman Cup
Cleveland, United States
Hard (i)
Team event
 United States
4–3
 Great Britain
23 AugEastern Grass Court Championships
South Orange NJ, United States
Grand Prix Circuit (C)
Grass – 64S/32D
Chris Evert
6–4, 6–0
Helen Gourlay Winnie Shaw
Lita Liem
Lany Kaligis
Joyce Williams
Virginia Wade
Lesley Bowrey
Cancelled
30 AugVirginia Slims of Newport
Newport, United States
Virginia Slims
$20,000 – Grass
SinglesDoubles
Kerry Melville
6–3, 6–7(3–5), 7–6(5–4)
Françoise Dürr Billie Jean King
Rosie Casals
Christina Sandberg
Judy Tegart Dalton
Lesley Hunt
Mary-Ann Eisel
Judy Tegart Dalton
Françoise Dürr
6–2, 6–1
Kerry Harris
Kerry Melville
30 Aug
6 Sep
US Open
New York, United States
Grand Slam (A)
Grass – 64S/32D/47X
SinglesDoublesMixed
Billie Jean King
6–4, 7–6(5–2)
Rosie Casals Chris Evert
Kerry Melville
Laura du Pont
Lesley Hunt
Judy Tegart Dalton
Joyce Williams
Rosie Casals
Judy Tegart Dalton
6–3, 6–3
Gail Chanfreau
Françoise Dürr
Owen Davidson
Billie Jean King
6–3, 7–5
Bob Maud
Betty Stöve

September

Week Tournament Champions Runners-up Semifinalists Quarterfinalists
13 SepVirginia Slims of Louisville
Louisville, United States
Virginia Slims
$20,000
SinglesDoubles
Billie Jean King
6–1, 4–6, 6–3
Rosie Casals Kerry Melville
Françoise Dürr
Lita Liem
Alena Palmeová-West
Helen Gourlay
Margaret Cooper
Judy Tegart Dalton
Françoise Dürr
2–6, 6–4, 6–3
Kerry Melville
Betty Stöve
20 SepPacific Southwest Championships
Los Angeles, United States
Grand Prix Circuit (B)
Carpet (i)– 32S/16D
Billie Jean King vs. Rosie Casals
6–6 double default
Kerry Melville
Françoise Dürr
Wendy Overton
Lesley Hunt
Helen Gourlay
Judy Tegart Dalton
Rosie Casals
Billie Jean King
6–3, 6–2
Judy Tegart Dalton
Françoise Dürr
27 SepVirginia Slims Thunderbird Classic
Phoenix, United States
Virginia Slims
$20,000 – Hard – 32S/4D
SinglesDoubles
Billie Jean King
7–5, 6–1
Rosie Casals Kerry Melville
Nancy Richey Gunter
Wendy Overton
Judy Tegart Dalton
Françoise Dürr
Lesley Hunt
Rosie Casals
Billie Jean King
6–3, 6–2
Judy Tegart Dalton
Françoise Dürr

October

Week Tournament Champions Runners-up Semifinalists Quarterfinalists
11 OctDewar Cup Edinburgh
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Non-Tour Event
SinglesDoubles
Evonne Goolagong
6–0, 6–3
Françoise Dürr Jackie Fayter
Virginia Wade
Corinne Molesworth
Winnie Shaw
Patti Hogan
Julie Heldman
Evonne Goolagong
Julie Heldman
6–3, 6–0
Patti Hogan
Nell Truman
18 OctDewar Cup Billingham
Billingham, United Kingdom
Non-Tour Event
15S/4D
SinglesDoubles
Virginia Wade
4–6, 7–5, 6–3
Julie Heldman Evonne Goolagong
Françoise Dürr
Betty Stöve
Cathie Lorains
Winnie Shaw
Patti Hogan
Françoise Dürr
Virginia Wade
6–3, 4–6, 6–2
Evonne Goolagong
Julie Heldman
25 OctEmbassy British Indoor Championships
London, England
Grand Prix Circuit (B)
Carpet– 32S/16D
Billie Jean King
6–1, 5–7, 7–5
Françoise Dürr Rosemary Casals
Evonne Goolagong
Patti Hogan
Betty Stöve
Virginia Wade
Winnie Shaw
Françoise Dürr
Virginia Wade
3–6, 7–5, 6–3
Evonne Goolagong
Julie Heldman

November

Week Tournament Champions Runners-up Semifinalists Quarterfinalists
1 NovDewar Cup Aberavon
Aberavon, United Kingdom
Non-Tour Event
SinglesDoubles
Virginia Wade
7–6, 6–3
Evonne Goolagong Julie Heldman
Françoise Dürr
Wendy Gilchrist
Winnie Shaw
Patti Hogan
Betty Stöve
Françoise Dürr
Virginia Wade
7–5, 6–4
Evonne Goolagong
Julie Heldman
8 NovDewar Cup Torquay
Torquay, United Kingdom
Non-Tour Event
16S/4D
SinglesDoubles
Evonne Goolagong
6–1, 6–0
Françoise Dürr Julie Heldman
Virginia Wade
Jackie Fayter
Winnie Shaw
Penny Moor
Betty Stöve
Evonne Goolagong
Julie Heldman
7–6, 6–4
Françoise Dürr
Virginia Wade
15 NovDewar Cup Championships
London, United Kingdom
Non-Tour Event
SinglesDoubles
Virginia Wade
6–1, 6–3
Julie Heldman Françoise Dürr
Evonne Goolagong
Betty Stöve
Winnie Shaw
Jackie Fayter
Patti Hogan
Evonne Goolagong
Julie Heldman
7–5, 6–4
Françoise Dürr
Virginia Wade
29 NovClean Air Classic
New York City, United States
Non-Tour Event
SinglesDoubles
Virginia Wade
6–3, 6–3
Rosie Casals

December

Week Tournament Champions Runners-up Semifinalists Quarterfinalists
1 DecBenson & Hedges International
Christchurch, New Zealand
Non-Tour Event
SinglesDoubles
Françoise Dürr
6–3, 6–0
Billie Jean King Rosemary Casals
Kerry Melville
Lesley Hunt
Kristien Kemmer
Valerie Ziegenfuss
Judy Tegart Dalton
Rosie Casals
Billie Jean King
6–3, 9–8(8–6)
Judy Tegart Dalton
Françoise Dürr

Grand Prix Circuit

Points system

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:

Group A
  • Champion: 40
  • Runner-up: 30
  • Semifinalist: 20
  • Quarterfinalist: 10
  • Round of 16: 5
  • Round of 32: 3
Group B
  • Champion: 30
  • Runner-up: 20
  • Semifinalist: 10
  • Quarterfinalist: 5
  • Round of 16: 3
  • Round of 32: –
Group C
  • Champion: 20
  • Runner-up: 12
  • Semifinalist: 6
  • Quarterfinalist: 4
  • Round of 16: 2
  • Round of 32: –
Group D
  • Champion: 15
  • Runner-up: 9
  • Semifinalist: 5
  • Quarterfinalist: 3
  • Round of 16:: –
  • Round of 32: –

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.[6]

Rk Name Tour. Points Bonus
1 Billie Jean King9181$10,000
2 Françoise Dürr9119$7,500
3 Evonne Goolagong [lower-alpha 2]6116
4 Margaret Court [lower-alpha 2]6106
5 Helen Gourlay1283$6,500
6 Rosemary Casals [lower-alpha 2]871
7 Judy Dalton970$5,250
8 Virginia Wade1069$4,000
9 Linda Tuero [lower-alpha 2]760
10 Kerry Melville [lower-alpha 2]755

Rankings

The 1971 singles rankings as per Lance Tingay.

Prize money leaders

No. Player Name Prize money
1  Billie Jean King (USA) $117,000
2  Françoise Dürr (FRA) $65,000
3  Rosemary Casals (USA) $62,000
4  Judy Dalton (AUS) $33,876
5  Kerry Melville (AUS) $29,767
6  Ann Jones (GBR) $26,148
7  Margaret Court (AUS) $26,000
8  Evonne Goolagong (AUS) $25,000
9  Virginia Wade (GBR) $24,000
10  Nancy Gunter (USA) $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

Grand Slam tournaments
Virginia Slims events

Titles won by player

Total Player  S   D   X   S   D   S   D   X 
25 Billie Jean King (USA) 12112
14 Rosie Casals (USA) 2120
10 Françoise Durr (FRA) 271
5 Ann Haydon-Jones (GBR) 230
4 Judy Tegart Dalton (AUS) 040
3 Evonne Goolagong (AUS) 210
2 Margaret Court (AUS)110
1 Gail Chanfreau (FRA)060
1 Chris Evert (USA)100
1 Kerry Melville (AUS)100
1 Mary-Ann Eisel (USA)010
1 Valerie Ziegenfuss (USA)010

Titles won by nation

Total Nation  S   D   X   S   D   S   D   X 
30 United States (USA)122141115132
10 France (FRA)01126271
9 Australia (AUS)32013450
7 Great Britain (GBR)00025250

See also

Notes

  1. Including three Grand Slam events.
  2. Player did not participate in the required minimum of nine tournaments and therefore did not share in the bonus pool.

References

  1. "Distaff Netters In Grand Prix For First Time". Bangor Daily News. AP. 7 April 1971. p. 28 via Google News Archive.
  2. "WTA Tour history" (PDF). Women's Tennis Association (WTA). Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 May 2008. Retrieved 12 September 2008.
  3. "WTA Tour Finals" (PDF). www.wtatennis.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 February 2017. Retrieved 27 April 2012.
  4. "About The WTA". www.wtatennis.com. Archived from the original on 20 September 2012. Retrieved 21 May 2012.
  5. "Tennisbegroting voor Hilversum iets lager". NRC Handelsblad (in Dutch). 21 July 1971. p. 4 via Delpher.
  6. John Dolan (2011). Women's Tennis 1968–84: the Ultimate Guide. Remous. p. 507.
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