The 1971 World Championship Tennis circuit was one of the two rival professional male tennis circuits of 1971. It was organized by World Championship Tennis (WCT) and was the first edition of the circuit. Points were awarded to players based on their tournament results (ten points for the tournament winner, seven points for the runner–up, four points for the semifinalists, two points for the quarterfinalists and one point for reaching the second round). The circuit included twenty regular events and a WCT circuit final taking place in Houston/Dallas in November for the eight players with the highest points total. Each tournament had a minimum prize money of $50,000.

Overview

WeekTournamentLocationDrawPrize moneySurfaceChampionsRunners-up
9 FebU.S. Pro IndoorPhiladelphia, U.S.32$62,500Carpet / indoorAustralia John NewcombeAustralia Rod Laver
7 MarAustralian Open ChampionshipsSydney, Australia64$50,000Grass / outdoorAustralia Ken RosewallUnited States Arthur Ashe
22 MarSportface InternationalChicago, U.S.32$50,000Carpet / indoorAustralia John NewcombeUnited States Arthur Ashe
29 MarAventura Tennis ClassicMiami, U.S.32$50,000Hard / outdoorSouth Africa Cliff DrysdaleAustralia Rod Laver
26 AprRawlings ClassicDallas, U.S.32$50,000Carpet / indoorAustralia John NewcombeUnited States Arthur Ashe
3 MayItalian OpenRome, Italy48$50,000Clay / outdoorAustralia Rod LaverCzechoslovakia Jan Kodeš
10 MayAryamehr CupTehran, Iran32$50,000Clay / outdoorUnited States Marty RiessenAustralia John Alexander
7 JunW.D. & H.O. WillsBristol, England32$50,000Clay / outdoorUnfinished (rain)
12 JulWashington Star Open InternationalWashington, U.S.64$50,000Clay / outdoorAustralia Ken RosewallUnited States Marty Riessen
19 JulyLouisville ClassicLouisville, Kentucky, U.S.32$50,000Clay / outdoorNetherlands Tom OkkerSouth Africa Cliff Drysdale
26 JulRothmans InternationalQuebec City, Canada32$50,000Carpet / indoorNetherlands Tom OkkerAustralia Rod Laver
2 AugU.S. Professional ChampionshipsBoston, U.S.32$50,000Hard / outdoorAustralia Ken RosewallSouth Africa Cliff Drysdale
9 AugRothmans Canadian OpenToronto, Canada64$50,000Clay / outdoorAustralia John NewcombeNetherlands Tom Okker
16 AugColonial Pro ChampionshipsFort Worth, U.S.32$50,000Carpet / indoorAustralia Rod LaverUnited States Marty Riessen
27 SepRedwood Bank Pacific Coast OpenBerkeley, U.S.64$50,000Hard / outdoorAustralia Rod LaverAustralia Ken Rosewall
3 OctRothmans InternationalVancouver, Canada32$50,000Carpet / indoorAustralia Ken RosewallNetherlands Tom Okker
11 OctProfi–Tennis–WeltmeistershaftCologne, Germany32$50,000Carpet / indoorUnited States Bob LutzUnited States Jeff Borowiak
18 OctSpanish OpenBarcelona, Spain32$50,000Clay / outdoorSpain Manuel OrantesUnited States Bob Lutz
30 OctStockholm Open IndoorsStockholm, Sweden32$50,000Carpet / indoorUnited States Arthur AsheCzechoslovakia Jan Kodeš
8 NovRothmans OpenBologna, Italy32$50,000Carpet / indoorAustralia Rod LaverUnited States Arthur Ashe
19 NovDallas WCT FinalsHouston/Dallas, U.S.8$100,000Carpet / indoorAustralia Ken RosewallAustralia Rod Laver

Schedule

The schedule of the tournaments on the 1971 WCT circuit, with player progression documented from the quarterfinals stage onward.

February

WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists
9 FebU.S. Pro Indoor Philadelphia, United States Carpet (i) – $62,500 – 32S/16D SinglesAustralia John Newcombe 7–6(7–5), 7–6(7–1), 6–4Australia Rod LaverUnited States Arthur Ashe South Africa Cliff DrysdaleNew Zealand Brian Fairlie United States Dennis Ralston Netherlands Tom Okker Australia Roy Emerson

March

WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists
7 MarAustralian Open Sydney, Australia Grand Slam Grass – $50,000 – 64S/32D Singles – DoublesAustralia Ken Rosewall 6–1, 7–5, 6–3United States Arthur AsheUnited States Bob Lutz Netherlands Tom OkkerUnited Kingdom Mark Cox South Africa Cliff Drysdale United States Marty Riessen Australia Roy Emerson
Australia John Newcombe Australia Tony Roche 6–2, 7–6Netherlands Tom Okker United States Marty Riessen
22 MarSportface International Chicago, United States Carpet (i) – $50,000 – 32S/16DAustralia John Newcombe 4–6, 7–6 6–2, 6–3United States Arthur AsheNetherlands Tom Okker Australia Ken RosewallAustralia Ray Ruffels United States Charlie Pasarell South Africa Cliff Drysdale Spain Andrés Gimeno
Netherlands Tom Okker United States Marty Riessen 7–6, 4–6, 7–6Australia John Newcombe Australia Tony Roche
29 MarAventura Tennis Classic Miami, United States Hard – $50,000 – 32S/16DSouth Africa Cliff Drysdale 6–2, 6–4, 3–6, 6–4Australia Rod LaverAustralia Tony Roche Australia Roy EmersonSocialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Nikola Pilić United States Dennis Ralston Netherlands Tom Okker Australia John Newcombe
Australia John Newcombe Australia Tony Roche 7–6, 7–6Australia Roy Emerson Australia Rod Laver

April

WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists
26 AprRawlings Classic Dallas, United States Carpet (i) – 32S/16DAustralia John Newcombe 7–6, 6–4United States Arthur AsheNetherlands Tom Okker United States Marty RiessenUnited Kingdom Mark Cox South Africa Bob Maud South Africa Cliff Drysdale United States Bob Lutz
Netherlands Tom Okker United States Marty Riessen 6–3, 6–4United States Bob Lutz United States Charlie Pasarell

May

WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists
3 MayItalian Open Rome, Italy Clay – 64S/32D Singles – DoublesAustralia Rod Laver 7–5, 6–3, 6–3Czechoslovakia Jan KodešUnited States Arthur Ashe Netherlands Tom OkkerUnited States Stan Smith Australia John Newcombe Australia Roy Emerson South Africa Cliff Drysdale
Australia John Newcombe Australia Tony Roche 6–3, 6–4Spain Andrés Gimeno United Kingdom Roger Taylor
10 MayAryamehr Cup Teheran, Iran Clay – $50,000 – 32S/16DUnited States Marty Riessen 6–7, 6–1, 6–3, 7–6Australia John AlexanderAustralia John Newcombe United States Arthur AsheAustralia Rod Laver Spain Andrés Gimeno Australia Tony Roche Australia Roy Emerson
Australia John Newcombe Australia Tony Roche 6–4, 6–7, 6–1Australia Bob Carmichael Australia Ray Ruffels

June

WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists
7 JunWills Open Bristol, England Clay – $48,000 – 32S/16DTournament not completed (rain)United States Arthur Ashe South Africa Cliff Drysdale Australia Rod Laver South Africa Bob MaudAustralia Ken Rosewall Netherlands Tom Okker United States Marty Riessen Australia Roy Emerson
Tournament not completed (rain)

July

WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists
12 JulWashington Star International Washington, United States Clay – $50,000 – 64S / 32D Singles – DoublesAustralia Ken Rosewall 6–2, 7–5, 6–1United States Marty RiessenUnited States Stan Smith Australia John NewcombeUnited States Dennis Ralston Egypt Ismail El Shafei South Africa Cliff Drysdale Spain Andrés Gimeno
Netherlands Tom Okker United States Marty Riessen 7–6, 6–2Australia Bob Carmichael Australia Ray Ruffels
19 JulFirst National Tennis Classic Louisville, United States Clay – $50,000 – 32S/16DNetherlands Tom Okker 3–6, 6–4, 6–1South Africa Cliff DrysdaleSocialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Nikola Pilić Australia Ray RuffelsAustralia John Alexander United States Dennis Ralston Australia Roy Emerson Egypt Ismail El Shafei
Australia Roy Emerson Australia Rod Laver Not playedAustralia Ken Rosewall Australia Fred Stolle
26 JulRothmans International Quebec Quebec City, Canada Carpet (i) – 32S / 16D Singles – DoublesNetherlands Tom Okker 6–3, 7–6, 6–7, 6–4Australia Rod LaverUnited States Bob Lutz South Africa Cliff DrysdaleUnited States Charlie Pasarell Australia Roy Emerson United States Arthur Ashe Australia Ray Ruffels
Australia Roy Emerson Australia Rod Laver 7–6, 6–2Netherlands Tom Okker United States Marty Riessen

August

WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists
2 AugU.S. Pro Tennis Championships Boston, United States Hard – $50,000 – 32S/16D Singles – DoublesAustralia Ken Rosewall 6–4, 6–3, 6–0South Africa Cliff DrysdaleUnited States Marty Riessen Australia John NewcombeUnited States Arthur Ashe Australia Rod Laver Netherlands Tom Okker Australia John Alexander
Australia Roy Emerson Australia Rod Laver 6–4, 6–4Netherlands Tom Okker United States Marty Riessen
9 AugRothmans Canadian Open Toronto, Canada Clay – 64S/32DAustralia John Newcombe 7–6, 3–6, 6–2, 7–6Netherlands Tom OkkerAustralia Ken Rosewall Spain Andrés GimenoUnited Kingdom Roger Taylor Mexico Marcelo Lara South Africa Cliff Drysdale United States Marty Riessen
United States Marty Riessen Netherlands Tom Okker 6–3, 6–3, 6–1United States Arthur Ashe United States Dennis Ralston
16 AugColonial National Invitational Fort Worth, United States Hard – 32S/16DAustralia Rod Laver 2–6, 6–4, 3–6, 7–5, 6–3United States Marty RiessenAustralia Roy Emerson South Africa Cliff DrysdaleUnited States Charlie Pasarell Australia Ken Rosewall Australia John Alexander United States Dennis Ralston
Australia Roy Emerson Australia Rod Laver 6–4, 7–5Netherlands Tom Okker United States Marty Riessen

September

WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists
27 SepRedwood Bank Pacific Coast Open San Francisco, United States Hard – $50,000 – 64S/32D Singles – DoublesAustralia Rod Laver 6–4, 6–4, 7–6Australia Ken RosewallNetherlands Tom Okker United States Arthur AsheUnited States Bob Lutz United States Marty Riessen United States Cliff Richey South Africa Cliff Drysdale
Australia Roy Emerson Australia Rod Laver 6–3, 6–3Australia Ken Rosewall Australia Fred Stolle

October

WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists
3 OctRothmans International Vancouver Vancouver, Canada Carpet (i) – $50,000 – 32S/16D Singles – DoublesAustralia Ken Rosewall 6–2, 6–2, 6–4Netherlands Tom OkkerAustralia Roy Emerson Australia Rod LaverUnited States Marty Riessen Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Nikola Pilić Australia Bob Carmichael Spain Andrés Gimeno
Australia Roy Emerson Australia Rod Laver 5–7, 6–7, 6–0, 7–5, 7–6Australia John Alexander Australia Phil Dent
11 OctWorld Professional Tennis Championship Cologne, West GermanyUnited States Bob Lutz 6–3, 6–7, 6–3, 6–1United States Jeff BorowiakNetherlands Tom Okker South Africa Cliff DrysdaleAustralia Rod Laver Spain Andrés Gimeno United Kingdom Mark Cox Australia Ken Rosewall
Netherlands Tom Okker United States Marty Riessen 6–7, 3–6, 7–6, 6–3, 6–4Australia Roy Emerson Australia Rod Laver
18 OctTorneo Godó Barcelona, Spain Clay – $70,000 – 64S/32DSpain Manuel Orantes 6–4, 6–3, 6–4United States Bob LutzUnited States Marty Riessen Australia Martin MulliganAustralia Ken Rosewall Australia Rod Laver Australia John Newcombe Australia Fred Stolle
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Željko Franulović Spain Juan Gisbert 7–6, 6–2, 7–6South Africa Cliff Drysdale Spain Andrés Gimeno
30 OctStockholm Open Stockholm, Sweden Hard – $50,000 – 64S/32D Singles – DoublesUnited States Arthur Ashe 6–1, 3–6, 6–2, 1–6, 6–4Czechoslovakia Jan KodešSpain Andrés Gimeno South Africa Cliff DrysdaleNetherlands Tom Okker Australia Rod Laver United Kingdom Mark Cox Australia John Alexander
United States Tom Gorman United States Stan Smith 6–3, 6–4United States Arthur Ashe United States Bob Lutz

November

WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists
8 NovBologna Indoor Bologna, Italy Carpet (i) – $50,000 – 41S/16D DoublesAustralia Rod Laver 6–3, 6–4, 6–4United States Arthur AsheUnited States Charlie Pasarell Australia Ken RosewallUnited States Bob Lutz Netherlands Tom Okker South Africa Cliff Drysdale United States Marty Riessen
Australia Ken Rosewall Australia Fred Stolle 6–7, 6–2, 6–3, 6–3South Africa Robert Maud South Africa Frew McMillan
19 NovWCT Finals Dallas, United States Carpet (i) – $100,000 – 8S SinglesAustralia Ken Rosewall 6–4, 1–6, 7–6(7–3), 7–6(7–4)Australia Rod LaverNetherlands Tom Okker United States Arthur AsheAustralia John Newcombe United States Bob Lutz South Africa Cliff Drysdale United States Marty Riessen

Standings

Key

Qualified for Tour Finals
RkNameCountryTournaments playedTournaments wonMatches wonMatches lostPointsPrize money (USD)
1Rod LaverAUS194541487.25289,841
2Tom OkkerNED202521775120,564
3Ken RosewallAUS184511474137,687
4Cliff DrysdaleRSA201521869.2569,078
5Arthur AsheUSA201431868.2599,746
6John NewcombeAUS1243686097,764
7Marty RiessenUSA20141195576,069
8Bob LutzUSA20131194158,392
9Roy EmersonAUS19–31183446,052
10Andrés GimenoESP18–29183034,512

Source: World of Tennis '72

See also

Notes

External links