Women's tennis circuit
The 1981 Avon Championships World Championship Series was the 9th season since the foundation of the Women's Tennis Association . It commenced on January 4, 1981, and concluded on December 19, 1981, after 36 events. The Avon Championships World Championship Series was the elite tour for professional women's tennis organised by the Women's Tennis Association (WTA). The year is divided into two sponsors with the first three months sponsored by Avon Series and the latter part by Toyota Series. It included the four Grand Slam tournaments and a series of other events. ITF tournaments were not part of the tour, although they awarded points for the WTA World Ranking.
The table below shows the 1981 WTA Tour schedule.
Key Grand Slam tournaments WTA championships Avon Championships Circuit Toyota Series Team events
Week Tournament Champions Runners-up Semifinalists Quarterfinalists 12 Jan Avon Championships of Kansas Kansas City , United States Avon Championships Circuit Carpet (i) – $150,000 – 32S/16D Singles – Doubles Andrea Jaeger 3–6, 6–3, 7–5 Martina Navratilova Barbara Potter Virginia Ruzici Kate Latham Sandy Collins Mima Jaušovec Sylvia Hanika Barbara Potter Sharon Walsh 6–2, 7–6(7–4) Rosie Casals Wendy Turnbull 19 Jan Avon Championships of Cincinnati Cincinnati , United States Avon Championships Circuit Carpet (i) – $150,000 – 32S/16D Singles – Doubles Martina Navratilova 6–2, 6–4 Sylvia Hanika Jennifer Russell Hana Mandlíková Barbara Potter Pam Shriver Virginia Ruzici Virginia Wade Kathy Jordan Anne Smith 1–6, 6–3, 6–3 Martina Navratilova Pam Shriver 26 Jan Avon Championships of Chicago Chicago , United States Avon Championships Circuit Carpet (i) – $200,000 – 56S/28D Singles – Doubles Martina Navratilova 6–4, 6–2 Hana Mandlíková Wendy Turnbull Barbara Potter Anne Smith Pam Shriver Peanut Louie Sylvia Hanika Martina Navratilova Pam Shriver 6–3, 6–1 Barbara Potter Sharon Walsh
Week Tournament Champions Runners-up Semifinalists Quarterfinalists 2 Feb Avon Championships of Detroit Detroit , United States Avon Championships Circuit Carpet (i) – $150,000 – 32S/16D Singles – Doubles Leslie Allen 6–4, 6–4 Hana Mandlíková Pam Shriver Barbara Potter Claudia Kohde-Kilsch Bettina Bunge Mima Jaušovec Wendy Turnbull Rosie Casals Wendy Turnbull 6–4, 6–2 Hana Mandlíková Betty Stöve 9 Feb Avon Championships of California Oakland , United States Avon Championships Circuit Carpet (i) – $125,000 – 32S/16D Singles – Doubles Andrea Jaeger 6–3, 6–1 Virginia Wade Beth Norton Wendy Turnbull Claudia Kohde-Kilsch Pam Teeguarden Mima Jaušovec Sue Barker Rosie Casals Wendy Turnbull 6–1, 6–4 Martina Navratilova Virginia Wade 16 Feb Avon Championships of Houston Houston , United States Avon Championships Circuit Carpet (i) – $100,000 – 16S/8D Singles – Doubles Hana Mandlíková 6–4, 6–4 Bettina Bunge Kathy Jordan Mima Jaušovec Pam Teeguarden Zina Garrison Jennifer Russell Kate Latham Sue Barker Ann Kiyomura 5–7, 6–4, 6–3 Regina Maršíková Mary Lou Piatek 23 Feb Avon Championships of Seattle Seattle , United States Avon Championships Circuit Carpet (i) – $150,000 – 32S/16D Singles – Doubles Sylvia Hanika 6–2, 6–1 Barbara Potter Kathy Jordan Bettina Bunge Anne Smith Pam Shriver Wendy Turnbull Hana Mandlíková Rosie Casals Wendy Turnbull 6–1, 6–4 Sue Barker Ann Kiyomura
Week Tournament Champions Runners-up Semifinalists Quarterfinalists 2 Mar Avon Championships of Los Angeles Los Angeles, United States Avon Championships Circuit Hard – $150,000 – 32S/16D Singles – Doubles Martina Navratilova 6–4, 6–0 Andrea Jaeger Sylvia Hanika Bettina Bunge Julie Harrington Barbara Potter JoAnne Russell Billie Jean King Susan Leo Kim Sands 6–1, 4–6, 6–1 Peanut Louie Marita Redondo 9 Mar Avon Championships of Dallas Dallas , United States Avon Championships Circuit Carpet (i) – $175,000 – 33S/16D Singles – Doubles Martina Navratilova 6–2, 6–4 Pam Shriver Virginia Ruzici Bettina Bunge Mary Lou Piatek Billie Jean King Kathy Jordan Mima Jaušovec Martina Navratilova Pam Shriver 7–5, 6–4 Kathy Jordan Anne Smith 15 Mar Avon Championships of Boston Boston , United States Avon Championships Circuit Carpet (i) – $150,000 – 32S/16D Singles – Doubles Chris Evert-Lloyd 6–4, 6–4 Mima Jaušovec Kathy Jordan Sylvia Hanika Virginia Ruzici Peanut Louie Wendy Turnbull Hana Mandlíková Barbara Potter Sharon Walsh 5–7, 6–4, 6–3 Jennifer Russell Virginia Ruzici 23 Mar Avon Championships New York City, United States WTA Championships Carpet (i) – $300,000 – 8S/4D Singles – Doubles Martina Navratilova 6–3, 7–6(7–3) Andrea Jaeger Bettina Bunge Sylvia Hanika Martina Navratilova Pam Shriver 6–0, 7–6(8–6) Barbara Potter Sharon Walsh
Week Tournament Champions Runners-up Semifinalists Quarterfinalists 6 Apr Family Circle Cup Hilton Head Island , United States Toyota Series (Category 5) Clay – $150,000 – 56S/32D Singles – Doubles Chris Evert-Lloyd 6–3, 6–2 Pam Shriver Virginia Ruzici JoAnne Russell Regina Maršíková Mima Jaušovec Pam Casale Joyce Portman Rosie Casals Wendy Turnbull 7–5, 7–5 Mima Jaušovec Pam Shriver 13 Apr Wightman Cup Williamsburg , United States Team event Hard (i) United States 7–0 Great Britain 20 Apr Murjani WTA Championships Amelia Island , United States Toyota Series (Category 7) Clay – $250,000 – 56S/32D Singles – Doubles Chris Evert-Lloyd 6–0, 6–0 Martina Navratilova Virginia Ruzici Mima Jaušovec Pam Shriver Andrea Jaeger Ivanna Madruga Sylvia Hanika Kathy Jordan Paula Smith 6–3, 5–7, 7–6(7–2) Virginia Ruzici JoAnne Russell 27 Apr United Airlines Tournament of Champions Orlando , United States Toyota Series (Category 7) Clay – $200,000 – 22S/8D Singles – Doubles Martina Navratilova 7–5, 6–3 Andrea Jaeger Regina Maršíková Hana Mandlíková Yvonne Vermaak Wendy Turnbull Kathleen Horvath Sylvia Hanika Martina Navratilova Pam Shriver 6–1, 7–6(12–10) Rosie Casals Wendy Turnbull
Week Tournament Champions Runners-up Semifinalists Quarterfinalists 4 May Italian Open Perugia , Italy Toyota Series (Category 3) Clay – $100,000 – 56S/32D Singles – Doubles Chris Evert-Lloyd 6–1, 6–2 Virginia Ruzici Sandy Collins Joyce Portman Lucia Romanov Rosalyn Fairbank Ivanna Madruga Elly Appel-Vessies Candy Reynolds Paula Smith 7–5, 6–1 Chris Evert-Lloyd Virginia Ruzici Bridgestone Doubles Championships Tokyo, Japan Toyota Series (Category 5) Carpet (i) – $150,000 – 8DDoubles Sue Barker Ann Kiyomura 7–5, 6–2 Barbara Potter Sharon Walsh Casals / Turnbull Jordan / Smith Peanut Louie / Redondo Blackwood / Leo duPont / Jordan Jaeger / King 11 May Toyota Swiss Open Lugano , Switzerland Toyota Series (Category 3) Clay – $100,000 – 32S/16D Singles – Doubles Chris Evert-Lloyd 6–1, 6–1 Virginia Ruzici Regina Maršíková Sylvia Hanika Sandy Collins Dianne Balestrat Hana Strachoňová Candy Reynolds Rosalyn Fairbank Tanya Harford 2–6, 6–1, 6–4 Candy Reynolds Paula Smith 18 May German Open West Berlin , West Germany Toyota Series (Category 3) Clay – $150,000 – 56S/28D Singles – Doubles Regina Maršíková 6–2, 6–1 Ivanna Madruga Sandy Collins Dianne Fromholtz Tracy Austin Deborah Jevans Mima Jaušovec Hana Mandlíková Rosalyn Fairbank Tanya Harford 6–3, 6–4 Sue Barker Renáta Tomanová 25 May 1 June French Open Paris, France Grand Slam Clay – $300,000 – 112S/64Q/48D/32X Singles – Doubles – Mixed doubles Hana Mandlíková 6–2, 6–4 Sylvia Hanika Chris Evert-Lloyd Andrea Jaeger Virginia Ruzici Kathy Rinaldi Mima Jaušovec Martina Navratilova Rosalyn Fairbank Tanya Harford 6–1, 6–3 Candy Reynolds Paula Smith Andrea Jaeger James Arias 7–6, 6–4 Betty Stöve Frederick McNair
Week Tournament Champions Runners-up Semifinalists Quarterfinalists 8 Jun Surrey Championships Surbiton , Great Britain Toyota Series (Category 1) Grass – $50,000 – 56S/32D Singles – Doubles Betsy Nagelsen 6–0, 6–4 Barbara Hallquist Diane Desfor Martina Navratilova Marjorie Blackwood Laura duPont JoAnne Russell Sue Barker Sue Barker Ann Kiyomura 6–1, 6–7, 6–1 Billie Jean King Ilana Kloss 15 Jun BMW Championships Eastbourne , Great Britain Toyota Series (Category 4) Grass – $125,000 – 64S/32D Singles – Doubles Tracy Austin 6–3, 6–4 Andrea Jaeger Barbara Potter Martina Navratilova Anne Smith Wendy Turnbull Pam Casale Claudia Kohde-Kilsch Martina Navratilova Pam Shriver 6–7(5–7) , 6–2, 6–1 Kathy Jordan Anne Smith 22 Jun 29 Jun Wimbledon Championships London, Great Britain Grand Slam Grass – $300,000 – 112S/64Q/48D/48X Singles – Doubles – Mixed doubles Chris Evert-Lloyd 6–2, 6–2 Hana Mandlíková Pam Shriver Martina Navratilova Mima Jaušovec Tracy Austin Virginia Ruzici Wendy Turnbull Martina Navratilova Pam Shriver 6–3, 7–6(8–6) Kathy Jordan Anne Smith Betty Stöve Frew McMillan 4–6, 7–6(7–2) , 6–3 Tracy Austin John Austin
Week Tournament Champions Runners-up Semifinalists Quarterfinalists 13 Jul Austrian Open Kitzbühel , Austria Toyota Series (Category 1) Clay – $50,000 – 32S/16D Singles – Doubles Claudia Kohde-Kilsch 7–5, 7–6 Sylvia Hanika Regina Maršíková Virginia Ruzici Patricia Medrado Yvonne Vermaak Lena Sandin Marjorie Blackwood Claudia Kohde-Kilsch Eva Pfaff 6–4, 6–3 Elizabeth Little Yvonne Vermaak 27 Jul Wells Fargo Open San Diego , United States Toyota Series (Category 4) Hard – $125,000- 32S/16D Singles – Doubles Tracy Austin 6–2, 5–7, 6–2 Pam Shriver Kathy Jordan Kate Latham Candy Reynolds Mary Lou Piatek Bettina Bunge Yvonne Vermaak Kathy Jordan Candy Reynolds 6–1, 2–6, 6–4 Rosie Casals Pam Shriver
Week Tournament Champions Runners-up Semifinalists Quarterfinalists 3 Aug U.S. Clay Court Championships Indianapolis , United States Toyota Series (Category 5) Clay – $150,000 – 56S/32D Singles – Doubles Andrea Jaeger 6–1, 6–0 Virginia Ruzici Mima Jaušovec Regina Maršíková Sue Barker Anne Smith Hana Strachoňová Susan Mascarin JoAnne Russell Virginia Ruzici 6–2, 6–2 Sue Barker Paula Smith 10 Aug Central Fidelity Banks International Richmond , United States Toyota Series (Category 3) Carpet (i) – $100,000 – 32S/16D Singles – Doubles Mary Lou Piatek 6–4, 6–1 Sue Barker Betsy Nagelsen Pam Shriver Sylvia Hanika Regina Maršíková Wendy Turnbull Sandy Collins Sue Barker Ann Kiyomura 4–6, 7–6, 6–4 Kathy Jordan Anne Smith 17 Aug Player's Canadian Open Toronto , Canada Toyota Series (Category 7) Hard – $200,000 – 56S/32D Singles – Doubles Tracy Austin 6–1, 6–4 Chris Evert-Lloyd Andrea Jaeger Martina Navratilova Hana Mandlíková Rosalyn Fairbank Sylvia Hanika Pam Shriver Martina Navratilova Pam Shriver 7–6, 7–6 Candy Reynolds Anne Smith 24 Aug Volvo Women's Cup Mahwah , United States Toyota Series (Category 3) Hard – $100,000 – 56S/32D Singles – Doubles Hana Mandlíková 6–2, 6–2 Pam Casale Bettina Bunge Regina Maršíková Trey Lewis Virginia Ruzici Wendy White Stacy Margolin Rosie Casals Wendy Turnbull 6–2, 6–1 Candy Reynolds Betty Stöve 31 Aug 7 Sep US Open New York City, United States Grand Slam Hard – $400,000 – 128S/64Q/64D/32X Singles – Doubles – Mixed doubles Tracy Austin 1–6, 7–6(7–4) , 7–6(7–1) Martina Navratilova Chris Evert-Lloyd Barbara Potter Hana Mandlíková Anne Smith Sylvia Hanika Barbara Gerken Kathy Jordan Anne Smith 6–3, 6–3 Rosie Casals Wendy Turnbull Anne Smith Kevin Curren 6–4, 7–6(7–4) JoAnne Russell Steve Denton
Week Tournament Champions Runners-up Semifinalists Quarterfinalists 14 Sep Toray Sillook Open Tokyo, Japan Toyota Series (Category 3) Carpet (i) – $100,000 – 32S Singles Ann Kiyomura 6–4, 7–5 Bettina Bunge Mima Jaušovec Kathleen Horvath Sharon Walsh Candy Reynolds Anne Hobbs Leslie Allen 21 Sep Toyota Tennis Classic Atlanta , United States Toyota Series (Category 2) Hard – $75,000 – 32S/16D Singles – Doubles Tracy Austin 4–6, 6–3, 6–3 Mary Lou Piatek Laura duPont Susan Mascarin Beth Norton Wendy White Rosie Casals Sharon Walsh Laura duPont Betsy Nagelsen 6–4, 7–5 Rosie Casals Candy Reynolds 28 Sep U.S. Women's Indoor Championships Bloomington , United States Toyota Series (Category 4) Carpet (i) – $125,000 – 32S/16D Singles – Doubles Martina Navratilova 6–0, 6–2 Tracy Austin Candy Reynolds Wendy Turnbull Sharon Walsh Julie Harrington Anne Smith Barbara Potter Martina Navratilova Pam Shriver 6–3, 7–6 Rosie Casals Wendy Turnbull
Week Tournament Champions Runners-up Semifinalists Quarterfinalists 5 Oct Florida Federal Open Tampa , United States Toyota Series (Category 4) Hard – $125,000 – 32S/16D Singles – Doubles Martina Navratilova 5–7, 6–2, 6–0 Bettina Bunge Sylvia Hanika Mary Lou Piatek Barbara Hallquist Kathy Rinaldi Wendy Turnbull Sandy Collins Rosie Casals Wendy Turnbull 6–3, 6–4 Martina Navratilova Renáta Tomanová 12 Oct Borden Classic Kyoto , Japan Toyota Series (Category 1) Hard – $50,000 – 32S/16D Singles – Doubles Kathy Rinaldi 6–1, 7–5 Julie Harrington Pam Casale Patricia Medrado Dana Gilbert Barbara Jordan Susan Mascarin Beth Norton Marianne van der Torre Nanette Schutte 6–2, 6–4 Elizabeth Smylie Kim Steinmetz Lynda Carter Maybelline Classic Deerfield Beach , United States Toyota Series (Category 4) Hard – $125,000 – 32S/16D Singles – Doubles Chris Evert-Lloyd 4–6, 6–3, 6–0 Andrea Jaeger Pam Shriver Sylvia Hanika Bobbie Gadusek Anne White Rosie Casals Anne Smith Mary Lou Piatek Wendy White 6–1, 3–6, 7–5 Pam Shriver Paula Smith 19 Oct Daihatsu Challenge Brighton , Great Britain Toyota Series (Category 4) Carpet (i) – $125,000 – 32S/16D Singles – Doubles Sue Barker 4–6, 6–1, 6–1 Mima Jaušovec Barbara Potter Anne Smith Tracy Austin Claudia Kohde-Kilsch Pam Shriver Sylvia Hanika Barbara Potter Anne Smith 6–7(1–7) , 6–3, 6–4 Mima Jaušovec Pam Shriver Japan Open Tokyo, Japan Toyota Series (Category 1) Hard – $50,000 – S/D Singles – Doubles Marie Pinterová 2–6, 6–4, 6–1 Pam Casale Barbara Potter Patricia Medrado Julie Harrington Barbara Rossi Marianne van der Torre Lee Duk-hee Patricia Medrado Cláudia Monteiro 6–3, 3–6, 6–2 Barbara Jordan Roberta McCallum 26 Oct Porsche Tennis Grand Prix Stuttgart , West Germany Toyota Series (Category 4) Hard (i) – $125,000 – 32S/16D Singles – Doubles Tracy Austin 4–6, 6–3, 6–4 Martina Navratilova Virginia Ruzici Sylvia Hanika Mima Jaušovec JoAnne Russell Jo Durie Anne Smith Mima Jaušovec Martina Navratilova 6–4, 6–1 Barbara Potter Anne Smith
Week Tournament Champions Runners-up Semifinalists Quarterfinalists 2 Nov Seiko Classic Hong Kong Toyota Series (Category 1) Hard – $50,000 – 32S/16D Singles – Doubles Wendy Turnbull 6–3, 6–4 Sabina Simmonds Marianne van der Torre Marcella Mesker Anne Hobbs Patricia Medrado Leigh-Anne Thompson Lee Duk-hee Ann Kiyomura Sharon Walsh 6–3, 6–4 Anne Hobbs Susan Leo 9 Nov Federation Cup Tokyo, Japan Team event Clay United States 3–0 Great Britain Switzerland Australia Romania West Germany Soviet Union Netherlands 16 Nov National Panasonic Classic Perth , Australia Toyota Series (Category 4) Grass – $125,000 – 56S/32D Singles – Doubles Pam Shriver 6–1, 7–6(7–4) Andrea Jaeger Mima Jaušovec Ann Kiyomura Leslie Allen Barbara Potter Jane Preyer Anne Smith Barbara Potter Sharon Walsh 6–4, 6–2 Betsy Nagelsen Candy Reynolds 23 Nov NSW Building Society Open Sydney , Australia Toyota Series (Category 4) Grass – $125,000 – 56S/32D Singles – Doubles Chris Evert-Lloyd 6–4, 2–6, 6–1 Martina Navratilova Bettina Bunge Wendy Turnbull Evonne Goolagong Cawley Anne Smith Andrea Jaeger Barbara Potter Martina Navratilova Pam Shriver 6–7, 6–2, 6–4 Kathy Jordan Anne Smith 30 Nov 7 Dec Toyota Australian Open Melbourne , Australia Grand Slam Grass – $200,000 – 64S/32Q/32D Singles – Doubles Martina Navratilova 6–7(4–7) , 6–4, 7–5 Chris Evert-Lloyd Wendy Turnbull Pam Shriver Hana Mandlíková Andrea Jaeger Evonne Goolagong Cawley Tracy Austin Kathy Jordan Anne Smith 6–2, 7–5 Martina Navratilova Pam Shriver
The 31 Toyota Series tournaments were divided into eight point categories. The highest points were allocated to the Grand Slam tournaments; French Open, the Wimbledon Championships, the US Open and the Australian Open. Points were allocated based on these categories and the finishing position of a player in a tournament.[ 1] The points allocation, with doubles points listed in brackets, is as follows:
Category Grand Slam $300,000+ 7 $200,000+ 6 $175,000+ 5 $150,000+ 4 $125,000+ 3 $100,000+ 2 $75,000+ 1 $50,000+ Winner 250 (125) 200 (105) 175 (88) 150 (75) 125 (62) 100 (50) 75 (38) 50 (25) Runner-up 200 (100) 160 (90) 140 (73) 120 (60) 95 (47) 70 (35) 50 (25) 30 (15) Semifinalist 160 (80) 130 (70) 110 (57) 90 (45) 70 (35) 50 (25) 35 (17) 20 (10) Quarterfinalist 120 (60) 100 (50) 80 (40) 60 (30) 40 (20) 25 (12) 20 (8) 10 (5) Fourth round 80 (40) 65 (35) 50 (25) 35 (17) 25 (12) 15 (8) 10 (5) 5 (3) Third round 40 (30) 30 (22) 25 (15) 20 (9) 15 (5) 5 (3) 3 (1) – (–) Second round 15 (10) 10 (8) 10 (5) 7 (2) 5 (–) – (–) – (–) – (–)
Below are the 1981 WTA year-end rankings (December 31, 1981) in both singles and doubles competition:
Grand Slam events Avon Championships Circuit Kansas (S , D ) Cincinnati (S , D ) Chicago (S , D ) Detroit (S , D ) California (S , D ) Houston (S , D ) Seattle (S , D ) Los Angeles (S , D ) Dallas (S , D ) Boston (S , D ) Toyota Series Charleston (S , D ) Amelia Island (S , D ) Orlando (S , D ) Perugia (S , D ) Lugano (S , D ) Berlin (S , D ) Surbiton (S , D ) Eastbourne (S , D ) Kitzbühel (S , D ) San Diego (S , D ) Indianapolis (S , D ) Richmond (S , D ) Toronto (S , D ) Mahwah (S , D ) Tokyo 1 (S ) Atlanta (S , D ) Bloomington (S , D ) Tampa (S , D ) Kyoto (S , D ) Deerfield Beach (S , D ) Brighton (S , D ) Tokyo 2 (S , D ) Filderstadt (S , D ) Hong Kong (S , D ) Perth (S , D ) Sydney (S , D ) Team events
Women's tennis seasons
Seasons (1881-1912) ILTF World Circuit (1913-72) ILTF Independent Circuit ILTF Grand Prix Circuit Virginia Slims Circuit Virginia Slims/Colgate Series