The U.S. Pro Tennis Championships (for a period from 1951 to 1962 billed as the Cleveland International Pro or Cleveland World Pro Tennis Championships) was the oldest professional tennis tournament played until its final year of 1999 and is considered to have been a professional major from 1927–1967 until the advent of Open Era. In 1953, 1955, 1956, and 1960, the Cleveland World Pro had a women's draw, with Pauline Betz winning the first three of these, and defeating the reigning U.S. women's champion Doris Hart in the 1956 final. Althea Gibson defeated Pauline Betz in the 1960 women's final.

History

American's first prominent professional player, Vincent Richards, arranged what became the first U.S. Professionals by negotiating with Doc Kelton to have a tournament played at the Notlek Tennis Club, located at 119th Street and Riverside Drive in Manhattan, New York, on September 23–25, 1927. Richards, tour pro Howard Kinsey and teaching pros from the eastern U.S. comprised the field, with Richards defeating Kinsey in the final in straight sets, a victory which earned him $1,000 first-prize money.

The tournament was held annually at various locations, including the West Side Tennis Club in Forest Hills, New York City; the South Shore Tennis Club in Chicago; in Rye, New York; at the Terrace Club in Brooklyn; the Chicago Town and Tennis Club in Chicago; at the L.A. Tennis Club in Los Angeles; at various clubs around Cleveland, Ohio and Cleveland Arena in Cleveland. In 1951, two U.S. Pro events were held, one at Cleveland won by Frank Kovacs and another at Forest Hills won by Pancho Segura. In 1954, the USPLTA authorized Kramer to hold the U.S. Pro Championships at the L.A. Tennis Club in California, Gonzales winning the event, and the Benrus Cup (emblematic of the U.S. Pro) was awarded to Gonzales. There are two U.S. Pro events listed here for both 1951 (Cleveland and Forest Hills) and for 1954 (Cleveland and L.A. Tennis Club). Gonzales won two U.S. Pro titles in 1954. Its final permanent home was the Longwood Cricket Club in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, where it was held from 1964 to 1999. It became part of the Grand Prix Tennis Tour shortly after the advent of open tennis in 1968. From 1970 to 1977, it was a prominent tournament of the Grand Prix Super Series. It then became a tennis event within the ATP Tour with reorganization of the top tier of pro tour tennis.

The tournament was later played on Har-Tru clay courts and was initially an important tune-up event for the US Open. But when this Grand Slam tournament moved to hardcourts in 1978, the U.S. Professionals did not follow suit, electing instead to hold its tournament during the US clay court season in early summer instead of during its hitherto pre-Open Era (late summer) time slot. Remaining a clay event into the 1990s, it was a non-ATP exhibition event from 1990 through 1995. During the last stint of the tournament, from 1997 to 1999, it was again an ATP event and was played on hardcourts.

Pancho Gonzales holds the record for most wins with nine, two of those wins in the multiple year of 1954.

Past finals

Singles

YearChampionsRunners-upScoreVenueSurface
Professional era
1927United States Vincent RichardsUnited States Howard Kinsey11–9, 6–4, 6–3Notlek Tennis Club, ManhattanGrass
1928United States Vinny RichardsCzechoslovakia Karel Koželuh8–6, 6–3, 0–6, 6–2West Side Tennis ClubGrass
1929Czechoslovakia Karel KoželuhUnited States Vinny Richards6–4, 6–4, 4–6, 4–6, 7–5West Side Tennis ClubGrass
1930United States Vinny RichardsCzechoslovakia Karel Koželuh2–6, 10–8, 6–3, 6–4West Side Tennis ClubGrass
1931United States Bill TildenUnited States Vinny Richards7–5, 6–2, 6–1West Side Tennis ClubGrass
1932Czechoslovakia Karel KoželuhWeimar Republic Hans Nüsslein6–2, 6–2, 7–5South Shore Country ClubClay
1933United States Vinny RichardsUnited States Frank Hunter6–3, 6–0, 6–2Westchester Country ClubGrass
1934Nazi Germany Hans NüssleinCzechoslovakia Karel Koželuh6–4, 6–2, 1–6, 7–5South Shore Country ClubClay
1935United States Bill TildenCzechoslovakia Karel Koželuh0–6, 6–1, 6–4, 0–6, 6–4Terrace Club, BrooklynClay
1936United States Joe WhalenUnited States Charles Wood4–6, 4–6, 6–3, 6–2, 6–3Tudor City Tennis Club, New YorkClay
1937Czechoslovakia Karel KoželuhUnited States Bruce Barnes6–2, 6–3, 4–6, 4–6, 6–1GreenbrierClay
1938United Kingdom Fred PerryUnited States Bruce Barnes6–3, 6–2, 6–4Chicago ArenaCanvas (i)
1939United States Ellsworth VinesUnited Kingdom Fred Perry8–6, 6–8, 6–1, 20–18Beverly Hills Tennis ClubHard
1940United States Don BudgeUnited Kingdom Fred Perry6–3, 5–7, 6–4, 6–3Chicago Town and Tennis ClubClay
1941United Kingdom Fred PerryUnited States Dick Skeen6–4, 6–8, 6–2, 6–3Chicago Town and Tennis ClubClay
1942United States Don BudgeUnited States Bobby Riggs6–2, 6–2, 6–2West Side Tennis ClubGrass
1943United States Bruce BarnesUnited States John Nogrady6–1, 7–9, 7–5, 4–6, 6–3Fort KnoxClay
1944not held
1945United States Welby Van HornUnited States John Nogrady6–4, 6–2, 6–2Rips Tennis Courts, ManhattanClay
1946United States Bobby RiggsUnited States Don Budge6–3, 6–1, 6–1West Side Tennis ClubGrass
1947United States Bobby RiggsUnited States Don Budge3–6, 6–3, 10–8, 4–6, 6–3West Side Tennis ClubGrass
1948United States Jack KramerUnited States Bobby Riggs14–12, 6–2, 3–6, 6–3West Side Tennis ClubGrass
1949United States Bobby RiggsUnited States Don Budge9–7, 3–6, 6–3, 7–5West Side Tennis ClubGrass
1950Ecuador Pancho SeguraUnited States Frank Kovacs6–1, 1–6, 8–6, 4–4 ret.Skating Club, ClevelandClay (i)
1951United States Frank KovacsEcuador Pancho Segura6–2, 3–6, 6–3, 1–6, 9–7Lakewood, ClevelandCement (i)
1951Ecuador Pancho SeguraUnited States Pancho Gonzales6–3, 6–4, 6–2rWest Side Tennis ClubGrass
1952Ecuador Pancho SeguraUnited States Pancho Gonzales3–6, 6–4, 3–6, 6–4, 6–0Lakewood, ClevelandCement (i)
1953United States Pancho GonzalesUnited States Don Budge4–6, 6–4, 7–5, 6–2Lakewood, ClevelandCement (i)
1954United States Pancho GonzalesAustralia Frank Sedgman6-3, 9-7, 3-6, 6-2Cleveland Arena, ClevelandHard (i)
1954United States Pancho GonzalesEcuador Pancho Segura6–4, 4–6, 2–6, 6–2, 6–4Los Angeles Tennis ClubCement
1955United States Pancho GonzalesEcuador Pancho Segura21–16, 19–21, 21–8, 20–22, 21–19vCleveland ArenaHard (i)
1956United States Pancho GonzalesEcuador Pancho Segura21–15, 13–21, 21–14, 22–20vCleveland ArenaHard (i)
*1956United States Pauline BetzUnited States Doris Hart21-16, 19-21, 21-12Cleveland Arena (Women's event)Hard (i)
1957United States Pancho GonzalesEcuador Pancho Segura6–3, 3–6, 7–5, 6–1Cleveland ArenaHard (i)
1958United States Pancho GonzalesAustralia Lew Hoad3–6, 4–6, 14–12, 6–1, 6–4Cleveland ArenaHard (i)
1959United States Pancho GonzalesAustralia Lew Hoad6–4, 6–2, 6–4Cleveland ArenaHard (i)
1960Peru Alex OlmedoUnited States Tony Trabert7–5, 6–4Cleveland ArenaHard (i)
*1960United States Althea GibsonUnited States Pauline Betz7-5, 2-6, 6-5Cleveland Arena (Women's event)Hard (i)
1961United States Pancho GonzalesAustralia Frank Sedgman6–3, 7–5Cleveland ArenaHard (i)
1962United States Butch BuchholzEcuador Pancho Segura6–4, 6–3, 6–4Cleveland ArenaHard (i)
1963Australia Ken RosewallAustralia Rod Laver6–4, 6–2, 6–2West Side Tennis ClubGrass
1964Australia Rod LaverUnited States Pancho Gonzales4–6, 6–3, 7–5, 6–4Longwood Cricket ClubGrass
1965Australia Ken RosewallAustralia Rod Laver6–4, 6–3, 6–3Longwood Cricket ClubGrass
1966Australia Rod LaverAustralia Ken Rosewall6–4, 4–6, 6–2, 8–10, 6–3Longwood Cricket ClubGrass
1967Australia Rod LaverSpain Andrés Gimeno4–6, 6–4, 6–3, 7–5Longwood Cricket ClubGrass
Open Era
1968Australia Rod LaverAustralia John Newcombe6–4, 6–4, 9–7Longwood Cricket ClubGrass
1969Australia Rod LaverAustralia John Newcombe7–5, 6–2, 4–6, 6–1Longwood Cricket ClubHard
1970Australia Tony RocheAustralia Rod Laver3–6, 6–4, 1–6, 6–2, 6–2Longwood Cricket ClubHard
1971Australia Ken RosewallSouth Africa Cliff Drysdale6–4, 6–3, 6–0Longwood Cricket ClubHard
1972United States Bob LutzNetherlands Tom Okker6–4, 2–6, 6–4, 6–4Longwood Cricket ClubHard
1973United States Jimmy ConnorsUnited States Arthur Ashe6–3, 4–6, 6–4, 3–6, 6–2Longwood Cricket ClubHard
1974Sweden Björn BorgNetherlands Tom Okker7–6, 6–1, 6–1Longwood Cricket ClubClay
1975Sweden Björn BorgArgentina Guillermo Vilas6–3, 6–4, 6–2Longwood Cricket ClubClay
1976Sweden Björn BorgUnited States Harold Solomon6–7, 6–4, 6–1, 6–2Longwood Cricket ClubClay
1977Spain Manuel OrantesUnited States Eddie Dibbs7–6, 7–5, 6–4Longwood Cricket ClubClay
1978Spain Manuel OrantesUnited States Harold Solomon6–4, 6–3Longwood Cricket ClubClay
1979Spain José HiguerasChile Hans Gildemeister6–3, 6–1Longwood Cricket ClubClay
1980United States Eddie DibbsArgentina José Luis Clerc6–2, 6–1Longwood Cricket ClubClay
1981Argentina José Luis ClercChile Hans Gildemeister0–6, 6–2, 6–2Longwood Cricket ClubClay
1982Argentina Guillermo VilasUnited States Mel Purcell6–4, 6–0Longwood Cricket ClubClay
1983Argentina José Luis ClercUnited States Jimmy Arias6–3, 3–6, 6–0Longwood Cricket ClubClay
1984United States Aaron KricksteinArgentina José Luis Clerc7–6, 3–6, 6–4Longwood Cricket ClubClay
1985Sweden Mats WilanderArgentina Martín Jaite6–2, 6–4Longwood Cricket ClubClay
1986Ecuador Andrés GómezArgentina Martín Jaite7–5, 6–4Longwood Cricket ClubClay
1987Sweden Mats WilanderSweden Kent Carlsson7–6, 6–1Longwood Cricket ClubClay
1988Austria Thomas MusterUnited States Lawson Duncan6–2, 6–2Longwood Cricket ClubClay
1989Ecuador Andrés GómezSweden Mats Wilander6–1, 6–4Longwood Cricket ClubClay
1990Argentina Martín JaiteCzechoslovakia Libor Němeček7–5, 6–3Longwood Cricket ClubClay
1991Ecuador Andrés GómezSoviet Union Andrei Cherkasov7–5, 6–4Longwood Cricket ClubClay
1992United States Ivan LendlUnited States Richey Reneberg6–3, 6–3Longwood Cricket ClubHard
1993United States Ivan LendlUnited States Todd Martin5–7, 6–3, 7–6Longwood Cricket ClubHard
1994United States Ivan LendlUnited States MaliVai Washington7–5, 7–6Longwood Cricket ClubHard
1995not completed due to rain
1996not held
1997Netherlands Sjeng SchalkenChile Marcelo Ríos7–5, 6–3Longwood Cricket ClubHard
1998United States Michael ChangNetherlands Paul Haarhuis6–3, 6–4Longwood Cricket ClubHard
1999Russia Marat SafinUnited Kingdom Greg Rusedski6–4, 7–6(13–11)Longwood Cricket ClubHard

Notes:

Doubles

YearChampionsRunners-upScoreVenueSurface
Professional era
1927no doubles eventNotlek Tennis Club, ManhattanGrass
1928no doubles eventWest Side Tennis ClubGrass
1929Czechoslovakia Karel Koželuh United States Vincent RichardsUnited States Wallace Johnson United States Howard Kinsey5–7, 6–1, 6–3, 6–1West Side Tennis ClubGrass
1930United States Howard Kinsey United States Vincent RichardsCzechoslovakia Karel Koželuh Germany Roman Najuch6–2, 15–13, 7–5West Side Tennis ClubGrass
1931United States Howard Kinsey United States Vincent RichardsUnited States Frank Hunter United States Bill Tilden7–9, 7–5, 3–6, 6–4, 6–3West Side Tennis ClubGrass
1932United States Bruce Barnes United States Bill TildenRepublic of Ireland Albert Burke Czechoslovakia Karel Koželuh6–2, 6–1, 6–3South Shore Country ClubClay
1933United States Vincent Richards United States Charles WoodUnited States Frank Hunter United States Theodore Rericha6–4, 6–3, 5–7, 6–3Westchester Country ClubGrass
1934United States Bruce Barnes France Emmett ParéFrance Paul Heston United States Ellsworth Vines6–1, 6–4, 7–5South Shore Country ClubClay
1935United States George Lott United States Lester StoefenUnited States Morty Bernstein United States Alfred Chapin6–2, 6–3, 6–3Terrace Club, BrooklynClay
1936United States Harold Blauer United States Charles WoodUnited States William Ellis United States William Kenney6–4, 4–1, 6–2Tudor City Tennis Club, New YorkClay
1937United States George Lott United States Vincent RichardsUnited States Bruce Barnes Czechoslovakia Karel Koželuh1–6, 6–8, 6–3, 7–5, 9–7GreenbrierClay
1938United Kingdom Fred Perry United States Vincent RichardsUnited States Bruce Barnes United States Berkeley Bell6–4, 2–6, 7–5, 13–11Chicago ArenaCanvas (i)
1939United States Bruce Barnes United States Keith GledhillUnited Kingdom Fred Perry United States Ellsworth Vines6–2, 7–5, 11–9Beverly Hills Tennis ClubHard
1940United States Don Budge United Kingdom Fred PerryUnited States Vincent Richards United States Bill Tilden7–5, 6–3, 9–7Chicago Town and Tennis ClubClay
1941United States Don Budge United Kingdom Fred PerryUnited States Keith Gledhill United States Lester Stoefen6–4, 6–4, 6–3Chicago Town and Tennis ClubClay
1942United States Don Budge United States Bobby RiggsUnited States Bruce Barnes United States Frank Kovacs2–6, 6–3, 6–4, 6–3West Side Tennis ClubGrass
1943United States Bruce Barnes United States Gene MakoUnited States Berkeley Bell United States John Nogrady6–4, 6–0, 6–0Fort KnoxClay
1944not held
1945United States Vincent Richards United States Bill TildenUnited States Dick Skeen United States Welby Van Horn7–5, 6–4, 6–2Rips Tennis Courts, ManhattanClay
1946United States Frank Kovacs United Kingdom Fred PerryUnited States Bobby Riggs United States Welby Van Horn1–6, 6–3, 7–5, 6–4West Side Tennis ClubGrass
1947United States Don Budge United States Bobby RiggsUnited States Frank Kovacs United Kingdom Fred Perry7–5, 9–7, 4–6, 11–9West Side Tennis ClubGrass
1948United States Jack Kramer Ecuador Pancho SeguraUnited States Don Budge United States Bobby Riggs4–6, 5–7, 6–2, 7–5, 8–6West Side Tennis ClubGrass
1949United States Don Budge United States Frank KovacsUnited States Carl Earn United States John Faunce6–2, 6–2, 6–4West Side Tennis ClubGrass
1950United States Frank Kovacs United States Welby Van HornUnited States Frank Parker Ecuador Pancho Segura1–6, 6–4, 6–4Skating Club, ClevelandClay (i)
1951no doubles eventLakewood, ClevelandCement (i)
1951United States Pancho Gonzales Ecuador Pancho SeguraUnited States Frank Parker United States Bobby RiggsWest Side Tennis ClubGrass
1952no doubles eventLakewood, ClevelandCement (i)
1953United States Don Budge United States Pancho GonzalesUnited States Carl Earn United States Bob Rogers6–1, 6–4Lakewood, ClevelandCement (i)
1954United States Pancho Gonzales Ecuador Pancho SeguraUnited States Don Budge Australia Frank Sedgman11-9, 3-6, 6-3Cleveland Arena, ClevelandHard (i)
1954Australia Frank Sedgman United States Jack KramerUnited States Pancho Gonzales Ecuador Pancho Segura6–2, 6–2, 6–4Los Angeles Tennis ClubCement
1955United States Jack Kramer Ecuador Pancho SeguraUnited States Don Budge United States Pancho Gonzales24–22, 21–16, 21–18Cleveland ArenaHard (i)
1956Australia Rex Hartwig United States Tony TrabertUnited States Pancho Gonzales Ecuador Pancho Segura18–21, 21–11, 21–14, 13–21, 23–21Cleveland ArenaHard (i)
1957United States Pancho Gonzales Australia Ken RosewallAustralia Dinny Pails Ecuador Pancho Segura6–1, 6–4Cleveland ArenaHard (i)
1958United States Pancho Gonzales Ecuador Pancho SeguraAustralia Lew Hoad United States Tony TrabertW/OCleveland ArenaHard (i)
1959no doubles eventCleveland ArenaHard (i)
1960Australia Ashley Cooper Peru Alex OlmedoEcuador Pancho Segura United States Tony Trabert6–3, 6–4Cleveland ArenaHard (i)
1961Spain Andrés Gimeno Australia Frank SedgmanUnited States Pancho Gonzales United States Barry MacKay (tennis)7–5, 7–5Cleveland ArenaHard (i)
1962United States Butch BuchholzUnited States Barry MacKayUnited States Don Budge Ecuador Pancho Segura6–2, 6–3Cleveland ArenaHard (i)
1963Australia Rod Laver Australia Ken RosewallUnited States Butch BuchholzPeru Alex Olmedo10–8, 8–6, 6–4West Side Tennis ClubGrass
1964no doubles eventLongwood Cricket ClubGrass
1965no doubles eventLongwood Cricket ClubGrass
1966United States Butch Buchholz Australia Rod LaverAustralia Lew Hoad Australia Ken Rosewall6–4, 2–6, 6–4Longwood Cricket ClubGrass
1967United States Dennis Ralston Australia Ken RosewallFrance Pierre Barthès Spain Andrés Gimeno16–14, 7–5Longwood Cricket ClubGrass
Open Era
1968no doubles eventLongwood Cricket ClubGrass
1969United States Pancho Gonzales Australia Rod LaverAustralia John Newcombe Australia Tony Roche6–4, 5–7, 6–4Longwood Cricket ClubHard
1970Australia Roy Emerson Australia Rod LaverEgypt Ismail El Shafei Denmark Torben Ulrich6–1, 7–6Longwood Cricket ClubHard
1971Australia Roy Emerson Australia Rod LaverNetherlands Tom Okker United States Marty Riessen6–4, 6–4Longwood Cricket ClubHard
1972Australia John Newcombe Australia Tony RocheUnited States Arthur Ashe United States Bob Lutz6–3, 1–6, 7–6Longwood Cricket ClubHard
1973United States Stan Smith United States Erik van DillenEgypt Ismail El Shafei United States Marty Riessen4–6, 6–4, 7–5Longwood Cricket ClubHard
1974United States Bob Lutz United States Stan SmithGermany Hans-Jürgen Pohmann United States Marty Riessen3–6, 6–4, 6–3Longwood Cricket ClubClay
1975United States Brian Gottfried Mexico Raúl RamírezUnited States John Andrews United States Mike Estep4–6, 6–3, 7–6Longwood Cricket ClubClay
1976United States Ray Ruffels Australia Allan StoneUnited States Mike Cahill United States John Whitlinger3–6, 6–3, 7–6Longwood Cricket ClubClay
1977United States Bob Lutz United States Stan SmithUnited States Brian Gottfried South Africa Bob Hewitt6–3, 6–4Longwood Cricket ClubClay
1978Paraguay Víctor Pecci Hungary Balázs TaróczySwitzerland Heinz Günthardt United States Van Winitsky6–3, 3–6, 6–1Longwood Cricket ClubClay
1979Australia Syd Ball Australia Kim WarwickSwitzerland Heinz Günthardt Czechoslovakia Pavel Složilnot playedLongwood Cricket ClubClay
1980United States Gene Mayer United States Sandy MayerChile Hans Gildemeister Ecuador Andrés Gómez1–6, 6–4, 6–4Longwood Cricket ClubClay
1981Mexico Raúl Ramírez Czechoslovakia Pavel SložilChile Hans Gildemeister Ecuador Andrés Gómez6–4, 7–6Longwood Cricket ClubClay
1982United States Craig Wittus United States Steve MeisterSouth Africa Freddie Sauer South Africa Schalk van der Merwe6–2, 6–3Longwood Cricket ClubClay
1983United States Mark Dickson Brazil Cássio MottaChile Hans Gildemeister Chile Belus Prajoux7–5, 6–3Longwood Cricket ClubClay
1984United States Ken Flach United States Robert SegusoUnited States Gary Donnelly Puerto Rico Ernie Fernandez6–4, 6–4Longwood Cricket ClubClay
1985Belgium Libor Pimek Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Slobodan ŽivojinovićAustralia Peter McNamara United States Paul McNamee2–6, 6–4, 7–6Longwood Cricket ClubClay
1986Chile Hans Gildemeister Ecuador Andrés GómezUnited States Dan Cassidy United States Mel Purcell4–6, 7–5, 6–0Longwood Cricket ClubClay
1987Chile Hans Gildemeister Ecuador Andrés GómezSweden Mats Wilander Sweden Joakim Nyström7–6, 3–6, 6–1Longwood Cricket ClubClay
1988Mexico Jorge Lozano United States Todd WitskenSocialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Bruno Orešar Peru Jaime Yzaga6–2, 7–5Longwood Cricket ClubClay
1989Ecuador Andrés Gómez Argentina Alberto ManciniUnited States Todd Nelson United States Phil Williamson7–6, 6–2Longwood Cricket ClubClay
1990–96not held
1997Netherlands Jacco Eltingh Netherlands Paul HaarhuisUnited States Dave Randall United States Jack Waite6–3, 7–6(7–3)Longwood Cricket ClubHard
1998Netherlands Jacco Eltingh Netherlands Paul HaarhuisSouth Africa Chris Haggard United States Jack Waite6–3, 6–2Longwood Cricket ClubHard
1999Argentina Guillermo Cañas Argentina Martín GarcíaSouth Africa Marius Barnard United States T.J. Middleton5–7, 7–6(7–2), 6–3Longwood Cricket ClubHard

Source:

See also

Bibliography

  • McCauley, Joe (2000). The History of Professional Tennis. Windsor: The Short Run Book Company Limited.