The 1978 WTA Tour consisted of a number of tennis tournaments for female tennis players. It was composed of the newly streamlined version of the Virginia Slims Circuit (which was now an 11-week tour of the US) and the Colgate Series.[ 1] [ 2] The tour was administered by the Women's International Professional Tennis Council.
This is a calendar of all events which were part of either the Virginia Slims circuit or the Colgate Series in the year 1978, with player progression documented from the quarterfinals stage. Also included are the Grand Slam tournaments, the 1978 Virginia Slims Championships , the 1978 Federation Cup and a number of events not affiliated with either tour.[ 1]
Key
Grand Slam tournaments
Virginia Slims/Colgate Series championships
Virginia Slims Circuit
Colgate International Series
Non-tour events
Team events
Week
Tournament
Champions
Runners-up
Semifinalists
Quarterfinalists
14 Nov
Colgate International of Australia Sydney , Australia Colgate Series (AAAA) $100,000 – grassSingles – Doubles
Evonne Goolagong Cawley 6–1, 6–3
Kerry Reid
Dianne Fromholtz Greer Stevens
Terry Holladay Pam Teeguarden Jeanne Evert Betty Stöve
Kerry Reid / Greer Stevens vs. Evonne Goolagong Cawley / Betty Stöve Cancelled
21 Nov
Toyota Classic Melbourne , Australia Colgate Series (AA) $75,000 – grassSingles – Doubles
Evonne Goolagong Cawley 6–4, 6–1
Wendy Turnbull
Sue Barker Betty Stöve
Pam Whytcross Kerry Melville Dianne Fromholtz Helen Gourlay Cawley
Evonne Goolagong Cawley Betty Stöve 6–3, 6–0
Patricia Bostrom Kym Ruddell
28 Novr
South African Open Johannesburg , South Africa Colgate Series (A) $35,000 – hardSingles – Doubles
Linky Boshoff 6–4, 6–1
Brigitte Cuypers
Yvonne Vermaak Sharon Walsh
Niekle Scheepers Jeanne Evert Marise Kruger Alison McDade
Linky Boshoff Ilana Kloss 5–7, 6–3, 6–3
Brigitte Cuypers Marise Kruger
Week
Tournament
Champions
Runners-up
Semifinalists
Quarterfinalists
5 Dec
Bremar Cup London, Great Britain Colgate Series (A) $35,000 – hardSingles – Doubles
Billie Jean King 6–3, 6–1
Virginia Wade
Betty Stöve Virginia Ruzici
Tanya Harford Sharon Walsh Florența Mihai Renáta Tomanová
Billie Jean King Renáta Tomanová 6–2, 6–3
Betty Stöve Virginia Wade
12 Dec
Marlboro NSW Open Sydney , Australia Colgate Series (A) $35,000 – grassSingles – Doubles
Evonne Goolagong Cawley 6–2, 6–3
Sue Barker
Kerry Reid Regina Maršíková
Evonne Goolagong Cawley Helen Gourlay Cawley 6–0, 6–0
Mona Guerrant Kerry Reid
19 Dec 26 Dec
Australian Open Melbourne , Australia Grand Slam (A) Grass – 32S/16DSingles – Doubles
Evonne Goolagong Cawley 6–3, 6–0
Helen Gourlay Cawley
Kerry Reid Sue Barker
Judy Dalton Kathleen Harter Mona Guerrant Rayni Fox
Evonne Goolagong Cawley / Helen Gourlay Cawley vs. Mona Guerrant / Kerry Reid Cancelled due to Rain
Week
Tournament
Champions
Runners-up
Semifinalists
Quarterfinalists
2 Jan
Virginia Slims of Washington Washington , United States Virginia Slims Carpet (i) – $100,000 – 32S/16DSingles – Doubles
Martina Navratilova 7–5, 6–4
Betty Stöve
Dianne Fromholtz JoAnne Russell
Greer Stevens Kathy May Virginia Ruzici Nancy Richey
Billie Jean King Martina Navratilova 6–3, 7–5
Betty Stöve Wendy Turnbull
9 Jan
Virginia Slims of Hollywood Hollywood , United States Virginia Slims Carpet (i) – $100,000 – 32S/16DSingles – Doubles
Evonne Goolagong Cawley 6–2, 6–3
Wendy Turnbull
Betty Stöve Virginia Wade
Tracy Austin Marita Redondo Nancy Richey Kathy Teacher
Rosie Casals Wendy Turnbull 6–2, 6–4
Françoise Dürr Virginia Wade
16 Jan
Virginia Slims of Houston Houston , United States Virginia Slims Carpet (i) – $100,000 – 32S/16DSingles – Doubles
Martina Navratilova 1–6, 6–2, 6–2
Billie Jean King
Betty Stöve Virginia Wade
Yvonne Vermaak Sue Barker Rosie Casals Wendy Turnbull
Billie Jean King Martina Navratilova 7–6(5–4) , 4–6, 7–6(5–4)
Greer Stevens Mona Guerrant
23 Jan
Virginia Slims of Los Angeles Los Angeles, United States Virginia Slims Carpet (i) – $100,000 – 32S/16DSingles – Doubles
Martina Navratilova 6–3, 6–2
Rosie Casals
Marise Kruger Greer Stevens
Yvonne Vermaak Sue Barker Virginia Wade Tracy Austin
Betty Stöve Virginia Wade 6–3, 6–2
Pam Teeguarden Greer Stevens
30 Jan
Virginia Slims of Chicago Chicago , United States Virginia Slims Carpet (i) – $100,000 – 32S/16DSingles – Doubles
Martina Navratilova 6–7(4–5) , 6–2, 6–2
Evonne Goolagong Cawley
Betty Stöve Virginia Wade
Kerry Reid Sue Barker Wendy Turnbull Rosie Casals
Betty Stöve Evonne Goolagong Cawley 6–1, 6–4
Rosie Casals JoAnne Russell
Week
Tournament
Champions
Runners-up
Semifinalists
Quarterfinalists
6 Feb
Virginia Slims of Seattle Seattle , United States Virginia Slims Carpet (i) – $100,000 – 32S/15DSingles – Doubles
Martina Navratilova 6–1, 1–6, 6–1
Betty Stöve
Wendy Turnbull Marita Redondo
Kathy May Rosie Casals Kerry Reid JoAnne Russell
Kerry Reid Wendy Turnbull 6–2, 6–3
Patricia Bostrom Marita Redondo
20 Feb
Virginia Slims of Detroit Detroit , United States Virginia Slims Carpet (i) – $100,000 – 32S/16DSingles – Doubles
Martina Navratilova 6–3, 6–2
Dianne Fromholtz
Virginia Wade Billie Jean King
Kerry Reid Greer Stevens Sharon Walsh Evonne Goolagong Cawley
Billie Jean King Martina Navratilova 6–3, 6–4
Kerry Melville Wendy Turnbull
27 Feb
Virginia Slims of Kansas Kansas , United States Virginia Slims Carpet (i) – $100,000 – 34S/16DSingles – Doubles
Martina Navratilova 7–5, 2–6, 6–3
Billie Jean King
Virginia Wade Wendy Turnbull
Kerry Reid Brigitte Cuypers Rosie Casals Evonne Goolagong Cawley
Billie Jean King Martina Navratilova 6–4, 6–4
Kerry Reid Wendy Turnbull
Week
Tournament
Champions
Runners-up
Semifinalists
Quarterfinalists
6 Mar
Virginia Slims of Dallas Dallas , United States Virginia Slims Carpet (i) – $100,000 – 32S/14DSingles – Doubles
Evonne Goolagong Cawley 4–6, 6–0, 6–2
Tracy Austin
Pam Shriver (3rd) Anne Smith (4th)
Martina Navratilova Marise Kruger Kerry Reid Rosie Casals
Martina Navratilova Anne Smith 6–3, 7–6(5–2)
Evonne Goolagong Cawley Betty Stöve
13 Mar
Virginia Slims of Boston Boston , United States Virginia Slims Carpet (i) – $100,000 – 33S/14DSingles – Doubles
Evonne Goolagong Cawley 4–6, 6–1, 6–4
Chris Evert
Martina Navratilova Billie Jean King
Kerry Reid Marise Kruger Marita Redondo Rosie Casals
Billie Jean King Martina Navratilova 6–3, 6–2
Evonne Goolagong Cawley Betty Stöve
20 Mar
Virginia Slims of Philadelphia Philadelphia , United States Virginia Slims Carpet (i) – $100,000 – 32S/1DSingles – Double
Chris Evert 6–0, 6–4
Billie Jean King
Virginia Wade Virginia Ruzici
Wendy Turnbull Tracy Austin Betty Stöve Kerry Melville
Kerry Reid Wendy Turnbull 6–3, 7–5
Françoise Dürr Virginia Wade
27 Mar
Virginia Slims Championships Los Angeles, United States Season-end championships Carpet (i) – $150,000 – 16S (8RR)Single – Doubles
Martina Navratilova 7–6(5–0) , 6–4
Evonne Goolagong Cawley
Wendy Turnbull Rosie Casals 4th
Round robin Virginia Wade Billie Jean King Betty Stöve Kerry Reid
Week
Tournament
Champions
Runners-up
Semifinalists
Quarterfinalists
15 May
German Open Hamburg , West Germany Colgate Series (A) $35,000 – clay – 64S/16DSingles – Doubles
Mima Jaušovec 6–2, 6–3
Virginia Ruzici
Regina Maršíková Sylvia Hanika
Renáta Tomanová Viviana González Kathy May Laura duPont
Mima Jaušovec Virginia Ruzici 6–4, 5–7, 6–0
Katja Ebbinghaus Helga Niessen Masthoff
22 May
Italian Open Rome, Italy Colgate Series (A) $35,000 – claySingles – Doubles
Regina Maršíková 7–5, 7–5
Virginia Ruzici
Janet Newberry Michelle Tyler
Mima Jaušovec Betsy Nagelsen Katja Ebbinghaus Renáta Tomanová
Mima Jaušovec Virginia Ruzici 6–2, 2–6, 7–6
Florența Mihai Betsy Nagelsen
29 May 5 June
French Open Paris, France Grand Slam (AA) $337,000 – Clay (red) – 64S/64Q/32D/24XSingles – Doubles – Mixed doubles
Virginia Ruzici 6–2, 6–2
Mima Jaušovec
Regina Maršíková Brigitte Simon
Kathy May Helga Niessen Masthoff Mirka Bendlová Fiorella Bonicelli
Mima Jaušovec Virginia Ruzici 5–7, 6–4, 8–6
Lesley Turner Bowrey Gail Sherriff Chanfreau
Renáta Tomanová Pavel Složil 7–6 ret
Virginia Ruzici Patrice Dominguez
Week
Tournament
Champions
Runners-up
Semifinalists
Quarterfinalists
12 Jun
Keith Prowse International Chichester , Great Britain Colgate Series (A) $35,000 – grass – 32S/16DSingles – Doubles
Evonne Goolagong Cawley 6–4, 6–4
Pam Teeguarden
Janet Wright Sharon Walsh
Barbara Potter Diane Desfor Cynthia Doerner Tracy Austin
Janet Wright Pam Shriver 3–6, 6–3, 6–4
Michelle Tyler Yvonne Vermaak
19 Jun
Colgate International Eastbourne , Great Britain Colgate Series (AA) $75,000 – grass – 64S/32DSingles – Doubles
Martina Navratilova 6–4, 4–6, 9–7
Chris Evert
Wendy Turnbull Billie Jean King
Anne Hobbs Virginia Wade Betty Stöve Michelle Tyler
Chris Evert Betty Stöve 6–4, 6–7, 7–5
Billie Jean King Martina Navratilova
26 Jun 3 Jul
Wimbledon Championships London, Great Britain Grand Slam (AAAA) Grass – 96S/48D/64XSingles – Doubles – Mixed doubles
Martina Navratilova 2–6, 6–4, 7–5
Chris Evert
Virginia Wade Evonne Goolagong Cawley
Billie Jean King Mima Jaušovec Virginia Ruzici Marise Kruger
Kerry Reid Wendy Turnbull 4–6, 9–8(12–10) , 6–3
Mima Jaušovec Virginia Ruzici
Betty Stöve Frew McMillan 6–2, 6-2
Billie Jean King Ray Ruffels
Week
Tournament
Champions
Runners-up
Semifinalists
Quarterfinalists
7 Aug
US Clay Court Championships Indianapolis , United States Colgate Series (A) $35,000 – clay – 48S/24DSingles – Doubles
Dana Gilbert 6–2, 6–3
Viviana González
Janet Wright Jeanne Evert
Kate Latham Caroline Stoll Valerie Ziegenfuss Jeanne DuVall
Helena Anliot Helle Sparre-Viragh 6–1, 6–3
Barbara Hallquist Sheila McInerney
14 Aug
Rothmans Canadian Open Toronto , Canada Colgate Series (A) $35,000 – hardSingles – Doubles
Regina Maršíková 7–5, 6–7(9–11) , 6–2
Virginia Ruzici
Diane Desfor Zenda Liess
Mima Jaušovec Yvonne Vermaak Viviana González Lesley Hunt
Regina Maršíková Pam Teeguarden 5–7, 6–4, 6–2
Chris O'Neil Paula Smith
21 Aug
Bergen County Classic Mahwah , United States Colgate Series (AA) $75,000 – hardSingles – Doubles
Virginia Wade 1–6, 6–1, 6–4
Kerry Reid
Regina Maršíková Tracy Austin
Mareen Louie Harper Lesley Hunt Betsy Nagelsen Caroline Stoll
Ilana Kloss Marise Kruger 6–3, 6–1
Barbara Potter Pam Whytcross
28 Aug 4 Sep
US Open New York City, United States Grand Slam (AAAA) $260,000 – Hard – 96S/32D/32XSingles – Doubles – Mixed doubles
Chris Evert 7–5, 6–4
Pam Shriver
Martina Navratilova Wendy Turnbull
Virginia Ruzici Lesley Hunt Kathy May Tracy Austin
Billie Jean King Martina Navratilova 7–6, 6–4
Kerry Reid Wendy Turnbull
Betty Stöve Frew McMillan 6–2, 3–6, 6–3
Billie Jean King Ray Ruffels
Week
Tournament
Champions
Runners-up
Semifinalists
Quarterfinalists
11 Sep
Toray Sillook Open Tokyo, Japan Colgate Series (AAA) $75,000 – carpet (i) – 32S
Virginia Wade 6–4, 7–6(7–2)
Betty Stöve
Marita Redondo Wendy Turnbull
Jeanne DuVall Michelle Tyler Virginia Ruzici Carrie Meyer
Women in Tennis International San Antonio , United States Colgate Series (A) $35,000 – hard – 32S/16DSingles – Doubles
Stacy Margolin 7–5, 6–1
Yvonne Vermaak
Laura duPont Anna-Maria Fernandez
Ilana Kloss Barbara Hallquist Patricia Medrado Cynthia Doerner
Ilana Kloss Marise Kruger 6–1, 6–4
Laura duPont Françoise Dürr
18 Sep
World Tennis Classic Montreal , Canada Colgate Series (A) $40,000 – clay – 32S/18DSingles – Doubles
Caroline Stoll 6–3, 6–2
Françoise Dürr
Laura duPont Yvonne Vermaak
Dana Gilbert Glynis Coles Diane Desfor Michelle Tyler
Julie Anthony Billie Jean King 6–4, 6–4
Ilana Kloss Marise Kruger
25 Sep
Wyler's Classic Atlanta , United States Colgate Series (AAA) $100,000 – carpet (i)Singles – Doubles
Chris Evert 7–6(7–3) , 0–6, 6–3
Martina Navratilova
Virginia Wade Betty Stöve
Carrie Meyer Kerry Reid Wendy Turnbull Zenda Liess
Françoise Dürr Virginia Wade 4–6, 6–2, 6–4
Martina Navratilova Anne Smith
Week
Tournament
Champions
Runners-up
Semifinalists
Quarterfinalists
2 Oct
Thunderbird Classic Phoenix , United States Colgate Series (AA) $75,000 – hard – 32S/16SSingles – Doubles
Martina Navratilova 6–4, 6–2
Tracy Austin
Kerry Reid Virginia Wade
Anne Smith Anna-Maria Fernandez Ann Kiyomura Jeanne DuVall
Tracy Austin Betty Stöve 6–4, 6–7, 6–2
Martina Navratilova Anne Smith
9 Oct
US Indoors Championships Minneapolis , United States Colgate Series (AAAA) $100,000 – carpet (i)Singles – Doubles
Chris Evert 6–7, 6–2, 6–4
Virginia Wade
Kerry Reid Wendy Turnbull
Barbara Potter Betty Stöve Tracy Austin Virginia Ruzici
Kerry Reid Wendy Turnbull 6–3, 6–3
Lesley Hunt Ilana Kloss
16 Oct
BMW Challenge Brighton , Great Britain Colgate Series (AA) $75,000 – carpet (i)Singles – Doubles
Virginia Ruzici 5–7, 6–2, 7–5
Betty Stöve
Chris Evert Kerry Reid
Sylvia Hanika Mima Jaušovec Nina Bohm Virginia Wade
Betty Stöve Virginia Wade 6–0, 7–6
Ilana Kloss JoAnne Russell
23 Oct
Porsche Tennis Grand Prix Filderstadt , West Germany Colgate Series (A) $35,000 – carpet (i)Singles – Doubles
Tracy Austin 6–3, 6–3
Betty Stöve
Mima Jaušovec Virginia Ruzici
Sabina Simmonds Lesley Hunt Nina Bohm Heidi Eisterlehner
Tracy Austin Betty Stöve 6–3, 6–2
Mima Jaušovec Virginia Ruzici
30 Oct
Rio de La Plata Championships Buenos Aires , Argentina Colgate Series (A) $35,000 – claySingles – Doubles
Caroline Stoll 6–3, 6–1
Emilse Raponi
Regina Maršíková Ivanna Madruga
Cynthia Doerner Françoise Dürr Elly Vessies Liliana Giussani
Françoise Dürr Valerie Ziegenfuss 1–6, 6–4, 6–3
Laura duPont Regina Maršíková
Wightman Cup London, United Kingdom Hard (i) Team event
Great Britain4–3
United States
Week
Tournament
Champions
Runners-up
Semifinalists
Quarterfinalists
6 Nov
Florida Federal Open Oldsmar , United States Colgate Series (AA) $75,000 – hardSingles – Doubles
Virginia Wade 6–4, 7–6(7–1)
Anna-Maria Fernandez
Regina Maršíková Wendy Turnbull
Martina Navratilova Kerry Reid Renee Blount Anne White
Martina Navratilova Anne Smith 7–6(7–4) , 6–3
Kerry Reid Wendy Turnbull
13 Nov
Colgate Series Championships Palm Springs , United States Colgate Series championships $250,000 – hardSingles – Doubles
Chris Evert 6–3, 6–3
Martina Navratilova
Virginia Wade Virginia Ruzici
Round robin Regina Maršíková Kerry Reid Wendy Turnbull Betty Stöve
Billie Jean King Martina Navratilova 6–3, 6–4
Kerry Reid Wendy Turnbull
20 Nov
Gunze Invitational Tokyo, Japan Non-tour event Hard (i)
Tracy Austin 6–1, 6–1
Martina Navratilova
Martina Navratilova Betty Stöve 4–6, 7–6, 6–3
Tracy Austin Kathy May
27 Nov
Federation Cup Melbourne , Australia Grass – 32 teams knockout
United States 2–1
Australia
Great Britain Soviet Union
France Czechoslovakia Romania Netherlands
Draw Size
Min. Direct Acceptances
Min. Qualifiers
Min. Wild Cards
Seeds
16
13
2
1
4
32
26
4
1[ a]
8
48
42
4
2
8
64
52
8
4
16
96
82
8
6
16
128
112
8
8
16
Wild cards for the tournament had to be given to either local players or players who had won Wimbledon, the US Open, the Virginia Slims or Colgate Series championships or were previous winners of the tournament. All tournaments used a seeded draw with the number of seeds depending on the draw size.
The tournaments of the Colgate Series were divided into four groups – AAAA, AAA, AA and A – based on prize money. Points were allocated based on these groups and the finishing position of a player in a tournament.[ 3] The points allocation – with doubles points listed in brackets – was:
Group AAAA
Prize money at least $150,000
Champion: 160 (32)
Runner-up: 120 (24)
Semifinalist: 80 (16)
Quarterfinalist: 40 (8)
Round of 16: 20 (4)
Round of 32: 15 (3)
Round of 64: 10
Group AAA
Prize money at least $100,000
Champion: 120 (24)
Runner-up: 90 (18)
Semifinalist: 60 (12)
Quarterfinalist: 30 (6)
Round of 16: 15 (3)
Round of 32: 10 (2)
Group AA
Prize money at least $75,000
Champion: 80 (16)
Runner-up: 60 (12)
Semifinalist: 40 (8)
Quarterfinalist: 20 (4)
Round of 16: 10 (2)
Round of 32: 5
Group A
Prize money at least $35,000
Champion: 40 (8)
Runner-up: 30 (6)
Semifinalist: 20 (4)
Quarterfinalist: 10 (2)
Round of 16: 5
Points standings and bonus pool
edit
No.
Player name
Points Singles
Bonus Singles
Points Doubles
Bonus Doubles
Total Bonus
1
Chris Evert (USA )
740
$100,000
–
–
$100,000
2
Virginia Wade (GBR )
635
$65,000
100
$7,500
$72,500
3
Kerry Reid (AUS )
560
$45,000
201
$22,000
$67,000
4
Martina Navratilova (USA )
540
$35,000
146
$13,000
$48,000
5
Virginia Ruzici (ROU )
470
$30,000
92
$6,000
$36,000
6
Evonne Goolagong Cawley (AUS )
450
$25,000
75
$3,800
$28,800
7
Betty Stöve (NED )
445
$22,500
142
$11,500
$34,000
8
Wendy Turnbull (AUS )
430
$20,000
168
$16,000
$36,000
9
Regina Maršíková (TCH )
370
$19,000
55
$2,500
$21,500
10
Tracy Austin (USA )
310
$17,000
–
–
$17,000
The total bonus pool for the Colgate Series was $675,000, an increase of $75,000 compared to the previous year, and was divided over singles ($540,000) and doubles ($135,000). The 35 highest points ranking singles players and the top 20 in doubles qualified to receive a share of the bonus pool. The distribution ranged from $100,000 for the first placed singles player to $3,000 for the 35th placed player. The first placed doubles player received $22,000 bonus while the 20th placed player received $2,000. In order to be eligible for a share of the respective bonus pools players had to a) participate in a minimum of seven singles or three doubles tournaments and b) accept invitation for the series championships if qualified based on merit. Players who ended on equal points were ranked in order of the number of tournaments played.[ 3] [ 4]
Virginia Slims Circuit
edit
Points standings and prize money
edit
No.
Player name
Prize money
1
Martina Navratilova (USA )
9
$214,350
2
Evonne Goolagong Cawley (AUS )
6
$114,450
3
Billie Jean King (USA )
9
$68,025
4
Betty Stöve (NED )
7
$67,000
5
Wendy Turnbull (USA )
9
$63,300
6
Virginia Wade (GBR )
9
$58,900
7
Rosemary Casals (USA )
10
$52,300
8
Kerry Reid (AUS )
7
$36,700
9
Chris Evert (USA )
2
$30,500
10
Dianne Fromholtz (AUS )
8
$22,450
Combined prize money for singles and doubles events.
The points, named 'Silver Ginny Points', were allocated as follows:
Winner: 210
Runner-up: 150
Third: 110
Semifinalist: 100
Quarterfinalist: 65
Round of 16: 30
Round of 32: 8
Below are the 1978 WTA year-end rankings (December 10, 1978) in both singles and doubles competition:
No.
Player Name
Prize money
1
Chris Evert (USA )
$454,486
2
Martina Navratilova (USA )
$450,757
3
Virginia Wade (GBR )
$300,027
4
Kerry Reid (AUS )
$208,766
5
Wendy Turnbull (AUS )
$189,583
6
Evonne Goolagong Cawley (AUS )
$180,844
7
Betty Stöve (NED )
$177,243
8
Virginia Ruzici (ROU )
$151,379
9
Billie Jean King (USA )
$149,492
10
Regina Maršíková (TCH )
$88,840
^ Two wild cards for tournaments organized outside the United States.