1977 World Championship Tennis circuit
The 1977 season of the World Championship Tennis (WCT) circuit was one of the two rival professional male tennis circuits of 1977. It was organized by World Championship Tennis (WCT) and consisted of a preliminary series of twelve tournaments leading up to a singles play-off in Dallas and doubles play-off in Kansas City in May. 23 players participated and the season final was played by the eight best performers. It was won by American Jimmy Connors who defeated compatriot Dick Stockton in four sets. The total prize money for the 1977 WCT circuit was $2,400,000.[1]
![]() Connors reached most finals | |
Details | |
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Duration | 12 January 1977 – 10 May 1977 |
Edition | 10th |
Tournaments | 13 |
Achievements (singles) | |
Most tournament titles | ![]() ![]() |
Most tournament finals | ![]() |
Points leader | ![]() |
← 1976 1982 → |
Additionally there were three special events that did not count towards the standings; the Aetna World Cup held in Hartford between America and Australia (10–13 March), the $320,000 Challenge Cup in Las Vegas (14–20 November) and the Tournament of Champions held in Lakeway, Texas (10–13 March, 10–13 July) and Madison Square Garden, New York (17 September).[1]
Borg lawsuit
In February the WCT sued Björn Borg, as well as his management company IMG claiming that Borg had committed a breach of contract by electing to participate in the competing 1977 Grand Prix circuit instead of the WCT circuit. Borg eventually played a single WCT event, the Monte Carlo WCT, and won the tournament.[2][3] As part of the settlement Borg committed to playing six or eight WCT events in 1978 which were then part of the Grand Prix circuit.[4]
Overview
Date | Tournament | Location | Draw | Prize Money | Surface | Winner | Finalist | Score |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
12 January | Alabama WCT | Birmingham, AL, U.S. | 16S / 8D | $175,000 | Carpet (i) | ![]() |
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6–3, 6–3 |
24 January | U.S. Pro Indoor | Philadelphia, PA, U.S. | 64S / 32D | $200,000 | Carpet (i) | ![]() |
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3–6, 6–4, 3–6, 6–1, 6–2 |
31 January | Richmond Tennis Classic | Richmond, VA, U.S. | 16S / 8D | $100,000 | Carpet (i) | ![]() |
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3–6, 6–3, 6–4 |
7 February | Mexico City WCT | Mexico City, Mexico | 16S / 8D | $100,000 | Carpet (i) | ![]() |
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4–6, 6–2, 7–6 |
15 February | Toronto Indoor WCT | Toronto, Canada | 16S / 8D | $100,000 | Carpet (i) | ![]() |
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5–6, ret. |
1 March | Monterrey WCT | Monterrey, Mexico | 16S / 8D | $100,000 | Carpet (i) | ![]() |
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6–4, 6–3 |
16 March | St. Louis WCT | St. Louis, U.S. | 16S / 8D | $100,000 | Hard (i) | ![]() |
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7–6, 6–2 |
22 March | Rotterdam WCT | Rotterdam, Netherlands | 16S / 8D | $100,000 | Carpet (i) | ![]() |
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2–6, 6–3, 6–3 |
28 March | London WCT | London, UK | 16S / 8D | $100,000 | Carpet (i) | ![]() |
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7–6, 6–7, 6–4 |
5 April | Monte Carlo WCT | Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, France | 16S / 8D | $100,000 | Clay | ![]() |
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6–3, 7–5, 6–0 |
11 April | Houston WCT | Houston, U.S. | 16S / 8D | $100,000 | Hard | ![]() |
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7–6, 6–7, 6–1 |
18 April | Charlotte WCT | Charlotte, NC, U.S. | 16S / 8D | $100,000 | Carpet (i) | ![]() |
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7–6, 6–0 |
4 May | Kansas WCT Doubles Finals | Kansas City, U.S. | 8D | $200,000 | Carpet (i) | ![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
7–6, 7–6, 4–6, 6–3 |
10 May | Dallas WCT Singles Finals | Dallas, TX, U.S. | 8S | $200,000 | Carpet (i) | ![]() |
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6–7, 6–1, 6–4, 6–3 |
Schedule
The schedule of events on the 1977 WCT circuit, with player progression documented until the quarterfinals stage.[5]
January
Week | Tournament | Champions | Runners-up | Semifinalists | Quarterfinalists |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
12 Jan | Alabama WCT Birmingham, USA | ![]() 6–3, 6–3 | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() 6–3, 6–4 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
24 Jan | U.S. Pro Indoor Philadelphia, USA | ![]() 3–6, 6–4, 3–6, 6–1, 6–2 | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() 7–5, 6–3 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
31 Jan | Richmond WCT Richmond, USA | ![]() 3–6, 6–3, 6–4 | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() 6–4, 6–4 | ![]() ![]() |
February
Week | Tournament | Champions | Runners-up | Semifinalists | Quarterfinalists |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
7 Feb | Mexico City WCT Mexico City, Mexico | ![]() 4–6, 6–2, 7–6 | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() 6–2, 6–3 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
16 Feb | Toronto Indoor Toronto, Canada | ![]() 5–6 ret. | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() 6–4, 6–1 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
28 Feb | Monterrey WCT Monterrey, Mexico | ![]() 6–4, 6–3 | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() 3–6, 6–3, 6–4 | ![]() ![]() |
March
Week | Tournament | Champions | Runners-up | Semifinalists | Quarterfinalists |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
16 Mar | St. Louis WCT St. Louis, USA | ![]() 7–6, 6–2 | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() 6–4, 3–6, 7–6 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
22 Mar | Rotterdam WCT Rotterdam, Netherlands | ![]() 2–6, 6–3, 6–3 | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() 6–4, 6–4 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
28 Mar | Rothmans International London London, England | ![]() 7–6, 6–7, 6–4 | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() 7–6(7–5), 6–7(3–7), 6–3 | ![]() ![]() |
April
Week | Tournament | Champions | Runners-up | Semifinalists | Quarterfinalists |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
5 Apr | Monte Carlo WCT Monte Carlo, Monaco | ![]() 6–3, 7–5, 6–0 | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() 2–6, 6–3, 6–2 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
11 Apr | Houston Open Houston, USA | ![]() 7–6, 6–7, 6–1 | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() 6–3, 6–4 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
18 Apr | Charlotte Tennis Classic Charlotte, USA | ![]() 7–6, 6–0 | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() 6–1, 3–6, 7–6 | ![]() ![]() |
Special events
These WCT events did not count towards the standings.[1]
Week of | Tournament | Champions | Runners-up | Semifinalists | Quarterfinalists |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
10 Mar | World Cup Hartford, USA | ![]() 7–0 | ![]() | N.A. | N.A. |
25 Apr | Caesar's Palace Challenge[6] Las Vegas, U.S. $100,000 | ![]() 3–6, 7–6, 6–4, 7–5 | ![]() | N.A. | N.A. |
10 Mar – 10 Jul – 17 Sep | Shakeys Tournament of Champions Lakeway, USA New York, U.S. (final) | ![]() 7–6, 6–2, 2–6, 0–6, 6–3 | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Standings
Player | Tournaments Played | Tournaments Won | Matches Won | Matches Lost | Points |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() |
7 | 3 | 15 | 4 | 520 |
![]() |
9 | 1 | 17 | 8 | 500 |
![]() |
5 | 2 | 12 | 3 | 460 |
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8 | 1 | 15 | 7 | 440 |
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9 | 0 | 10 | 8 | 420 |
![]() |
9 | 1 | 11 | 8 | 420 |
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7 | 0 | 15 | 7 | 420 |
![]() |
9 | 1 | 11 | 8 | 400 |
![]() |
7 | 1 | 10 | 6 | 330 |
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8 | 0 | 7 | 8 | 320 |
![]() |
9 | 0 | 7 | 8 | 320 |
* Qualified for the WCT Finals.
See also
References
- John Barrett, ed. (1978). World of Tennis. London: Macdonald and Jane's. pp. 171–177. ISBN 978-0354090391.
- "W.C.T. Sues Borg and Colgate, Alleging a Breach of Contract". The New York Times. February 4, 1977.
- "Borg Being Sued". Ludington Daily News. February 2, 1977.
- Barry Lorge (April 13, 1978). "Peace Still Eludes Men's Pro Tennis". The Washington Post.
- atpworldtour.com. "1977 Grand Prix and WCT circuits calendar". Archived from the original on 2012-10-20. Retrieved 2012-09-21.
- "Nastase whips Connors for Challenge Cup title". Ellensburg Daily Record. UPI. April 11, 1977. p. 9.