1981 WTA Tour
The 1981 Avon Championships World Championship Series was the 10th 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.
Schedule
The table below shows the 1981 Avon Championships World Championship Series schedule.
- Key
Grand Slam tournaments |
WTA championships |
Avon Championships Circuit |
Toyota Series |
Non-Tour Events |
Team events |
January
Week of |
Tournament |
Champions |
Runners-up |
Semifinalists |
Quarterfinalists |
12 Jan | Avon Championships of Kansas Kansas City, Kansas, United States Avon Championships Circuit $150,000 – Carpet (i) – 32S/16D Singles Draw – Doubles Draw | Andrea Jaeger 3–6, 6–3, 7–5 | Martina Navratilova | Barbara Potter
Virginia Ruzici | Kate Latham
Sandy Collins Mima Jaušovec
Sylvia Hanika |
Rosie Casals
Wendy Turnbull 6–2, 7–6 | Barbara Potter
Sharon Walsh |
19 Jan | Avon Championships of Cincinnati Cincinnati, United States Avon Championships Circuit $150,000 – Carpet (i) – 32S/16D Singles Draw – Doubles Draw | 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 $200,000 – Carpet (i) – 56S/28D Singles Draw – Doubles Draw | Martina Navratilova 6–4, 6–2 | Hana Mandlíková | Wendy Turnbull Barbara Potter | Anne Smith Pam Shriver Mareen Louie Harper Sylvia Hanika |
Martina Navratilova
Pam Shriver 6–3, 6–1 | Barbara Potter
Sharon Walsh |
February
Week of |
Tournament |
Champions |
Runners-up |
Semifinalists |
Quarterfinalists |
2 Feb | Avon Championships of Detroit Detroit, United States Avon Championships Circuit $150,000 – Carpet (i) – 32S/16D Singles Draw – Doubles Draw | 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, California, United States Avon Championships Circuit $150,000 – Carpet (i) – 32S/16D Singles Draw – Doubles Draw | 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, Texas, United States Avon Championships Circuit $150,000 – Carpet (i) – 16S/8D Singles Draw – Doubles Draw | 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 |
Avon Championships of Nashville Nashville, Tennessee, United States Avon Championships Circuit $30,000 – Carpet (i) – 32S/16D Singles Draw – Doubles Draw | Susan Leo 7–6, 6–3 | Kim Sands | Kim Sands
Beth Herr | Catherine Tanvier
Trey Lewis Renée Richards
Yvonne Vermaak |
Marcella Mesker
Christiane Jolissaint 6–3, 6–3 | Marjorie Blackwood
Susan Leo |
23 Feb | Avon Championships of Seattle Seattle, United States Avon Championships Circuit $150,000 – Carpet (i) – 32S/16D Singles Draw – Doubles Draw | 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 |
March
Week of |
Tournament |
Champions |
Runners-up |
Semifinalists |
Quarterfinalists |
2 Mar | Avon Championships of Los Angeles Los Angeles, United States Avon Championships Circuit $150,000 – Hard – 32S/16D Singles Draw – Doubles Draw | Martina Navratilova 6–4, 6–0 | Andrea Jaeger | Sylvia Hanika
Bettina Bunge | Julie Harrington
Barbara Potter Bettina Bunge
Billie Jean King |
Susan Leo
Kim Sands 6–1, 4–6, 6–1 | Mareen Louie Harper
Marita Redondo |
9 Mar | Avon Championships of Dallas Dallas, Texas, United States Avon Championships Circuit $200,000 – Carpet (i) – 56S/32D Singles Draw – Doubles Draw | 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 $150,000 – Carpet (i) – 32S/16D Singles Draw – Doubles Draw | Chris Evert-Lloyd 6–4, 6–4 | Mima Jaušovec | Kathy Jordan
Sylvia Hanika | Virginia Ruzici
Mareen Louie Harper Wendy Turnbull
Hana Mandlíková |
Barbara Potter
Sharon Walsh 6–7, 6–4, 6–4 | Jennifer Russell
Virginia Ruzici |
23 Mar | Avon Championships New York City, United States WTA championships $300,000 – Carpet (i) – 8S/4D Singles Draw – Doubles Draw | Martina Navratilova 6–3, 7–6 | Andrea Jaeger | Bettina Bunge
Sylvia Hanika | |
Martina Navratilova
Pam Shriver 6–0, 7–6 | Barbara Potter
Sharon Walsh |
30 Mar | Clairol Crown Carlsbad, California, United States Non-Tour Events $200,000 – Clay – 4S/2D | Chris Evert-Lloyd 6–4, 6–3 | Hana Mandlíková | Pam Shriver
Andrea Jaeger | |
April
Week of |
Tournament |
Champions |
Runners-up |
Semifinalists |
Quarterfinalists |
6 Apr | Family Circle Cup Charleston, South Carolina, United States Toyota Series $200,000 – Clay – 56S/32D Singles Draw – Doubles Draw | 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, Virginia, United States Team event Hard (i)
| United States 7–0Tracy Austin 7–5, 6–3 Andrea Jaeger 6–0, 6–0 Chris Evert-Lloyd 6–1, 6–3 Tracy Austin 6–3, 6–1 Chris Evert-Lloyd 6–3, 6–0 | Great BritainSue Barker Anne Hobbs Virginia Wade Virginia Wade Sue Barker | |
|
Andrea Jaeger / Pam Shriver 6–1, 6–3 Rosemary Casals / Chris Evert-Lloyd 6–3, 6–3 | Jo Durie / Anne Hobbs Glynis Coles / Virginia Wade |
20 Apr | Murjani WTA Championships Amelia Island, Florida, United States Toyota Series $250,000 – Clay – 56S/32D Singles Draw – Doubles Draw | 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 | Virginia Ruzici
JoAnne Russell |
27 Apr | United Airlines Tournament of Champions Orlando, Florida, United States Toyota Series $200,000 – Clay – 22S/8D Singles Draw – Doubles Draw | 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 | Rosie Casals
Wendy Turnbull |
May
Week of |
Tournament |
Champions |
Runners-up |
Semifinalists |
Quarterfinalists |
4 May | Italian Open Perugia, Italy Toyota Series $150,000 – Clay – 56S/32D Singles Draw – Doubles Draw | 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 $150,000 – Carpet (i) – 8D Doubles Draw | Sue Barker
Ann Kiyomura 7–5, 6–2 | Barbara Potter
Sharon Walsh | Rosie Casals / Wendy Turnbull
Kathy Jordan / Anne Smith | Mareen Louie Harper/ Marita Redondo
Marjorie Blackwood / Susan Leo
Laura duPont / Barbara Jordan
Andrea Jaeger / Billie Jean King |
11 May | Toyota Swiss Open Lugano, Switzerland Toyota Series $100,000 – Clay – 32S/16D Singles Draw – Doubles Draw | 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 Berlin, Germany Toyota Series $150,000 – Clay – 56S/28D Singles Draw – Doubles Draw | 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 $300,000 – Clay – 112S/64Q/48D/32X Singles Draw – Doubles Draw – Mixed Draw | 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 |
June
Week of |
Tournament |
Champions |
Runners-up |
Semifinalists |
Quarterfinalists |
8 Jun | Surrey Championships Surbiton, United Kingdom Toyota Series $50,000 – Grass – 56S/32D Singles Draw – Doubles Draw | 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, United Kingdom Toyota Series $150,000 – Grass – 64S/32D Singles Draw – Doubles Draw | 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, 6–2, 6–1 | Kathy Jordan
Anne Smith |
22 Jun 29 Jun | Wimbledon Championships London, United Kingdom Grand Slam $300,000 – Grass – 112S/64Q/48D/48X Singles Draw – Doubles Draw – Mixed Draw | 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 |
July
Week of |
Tournament |
Champions |
Runners-up |
Semifinalists |
Quarterfinalists |
13 Jul | Austrian Open Kitzbühel, Austria Toyota Series $50,000 – Clay – 32S/16D Singles Draw – Doubles Draw | 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 $125,000 – HARD- 32S/16D Singles Draw – Doubles Draw | 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 |
August
Week of |
Tournament |
Champions |
Runners-up |
Semifinalists |
Quarterfinalists |
3 Aug | U.S. Clay Court Championships Indianapolis, United States Toyota Series $200,000 – Clay – 56S/32D Singles Draw – Doubles Draw | 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, Virginia, United States Toyota Series $150,000 – Carpet (i) – 32S/16D Singles Draw – Doubles Draw | Mary-Lou Daniels 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 $200,000 – Hard – 56S/32D Singles Draw – Doubles Draw | 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
Paula Smith |
24 Aug | Volvo Tennis Cup Mahwah, New Jersey, United States Toyota Series $100,000 – Hard – 56S/32D Singles Draw – Doubles Draw | Hana Mandlíková 6–2, 6–2 | Pam Casale | Bettina Bunge
Regina Maršíková | Trey Lewis
Virginia Ruzici Wendy White-Prausa
Stacy Margolin |
Rosie Casals
Wendy Turnbull 6–2, 6–1 | Candy Reynolds
Betty Stöve |
31 Aug 7 Sep | US Open Flushing Meadows, New York, United States Grand Slam $400,000 – Hard – 128S/64Q/64D/32X Singles Draw – Doubles Draw – Mixed Draw | 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 |
September
Week of |
Tournament |
Champions |
Runners-up |
Semifinalists |
Quarterfinalists |
14 Sepr | Toray Sillook Open Tokyo, Japan Toyota Series $100,000 – Carpet (i) – 28S Singles Draw | 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, GA, United States Toyota Series $75,000 – Hard – 32S/16D Singles Draw – Doubles Draw | Tracy Austin 4–6, 6–3, 6–3 | Mary-Lou Daniels | Laura duPont
Susan Mascarin | Beth Norton
Wendy White-Prausa Rosie Casals
Sharon Walsh |
Laura duPont
Betsy Nagelsen 6–4, 7–5 | Rosie Casals
Candy Reynolds |
28 Sep | US Indoors Hartford, Connecticut, United States Toyota Series $125,000 – Carpet (i) – 32S/16D Singles Draw – Doubles Draw | 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 |
October
Week of |
Tournament |
Champions |
Runners-up |
Semifinalists |
Quarterfinalists |
5 Oct | Florida Federal Open Tampa, Florida, United States Toyota Series $125,000 – Hard – 32S/16D Singles Draw – Doubles Draw | 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 Tokyo, Japan Toyota Series $50,000 – Hard – 32S/16D Singles Draw – Doubles Draw | 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 |
Maybelline Classic Deerfield Beach, Florida, United States Toyota Series $125,000 – Hard – 32S/16D Singles Draw – Doubles Draw | 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 Daniels
Wendy White-Prausa 6–1, 3–6, 7–5 | Pam Shriver
Paula Smith |
19 Oct | Daihatsu Challenge Brighton, United Kingdom Toyota Series $150,000 – Carpet (i) – 32S/16D Singles Draw – Doubles Draw | 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, 6–3, 6–4 | Mima Jaušovec
Pam Shriver |
Japan Open Tokyo, Japan Toyota Series $50,000 – Hard – S/D Singles Draw – Doubles Draw | Marie Pinterova 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 $150,000 – Hard (i) – 32S/16D Singles Draw – Doubles Draw | 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 |
November
Week of |
Tournament |
Champions |
Runners-up |
Semifinalists |
Quarterfinalists |
2 Nov | Seiko Classic Hong Kong Toyota Series $50,000 – Hard – 32S/16D Singles Draw – Doubles Draw | 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 November | 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 Open Brisbane, Australia Toyota Series $150,000 – Grass – 56S/32D Singles Draw – Doubles Draw | Pam Shriver 6–1, 7–6 | 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 |
Lion's Cup Tokyo, Japan Non-Tour Events $200,000 – Carpet (i) – S Singles Draw | Martina Navratilova 6–3, 6–2 | Chris Evert-Lloyd | | |
23 Nov | NSW Building Society Open Sydney, Australia Toyota Series $150,000 – Grass – 56S/32D Singles Draw – Doubles Draw | 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 $200,000 – Grass – 64S/32Q/32D Singles Draw – Doubles Draw | Martina Navratilova 6–7(4–7), 6–5, 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 |
December
Rankings
Below are the 1981 WTA year-end rankings (December 31, 1981) in both singles and doubles competition:
See also
References
External links