The 1977 WTA Tour consisted of a number of tennis tournaments for female tennis players. It was composed of two circuits the newly streamlined version of the Virginia Slims Circuit (which was now an 11-week tour of the US) and the world wide Colgate International Series. The year 1977 also saw the creation of the first official ranking system and these rankings were used to determine acceptance into the tournaments.
Schedule This is a calendar of all events which were part of either the Virginia Slims circuit or the Colgate International Series in the year 1977, with player progression documented from the quarterfinals stage. Also included are the Grand Slam tournaments, the 1977 Virginia Slims Championships, the 1977 Federation Cup and a number of events not affiliated with either tour.
Key Grand Slam tournamentsVirginia Slims/Colgate Series championshipsVirginia Slims Circuit Colgate International SeriesNon-tour eventsTeam events
October (1976) WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists17 Oct Colgate Inaugural Palm Springs, United StatesColgate International SeriesHard – $175,000 – 16S Chris Evert6–1, 6–2 Françoise Dürr Virginia Wade (3rd) Terry Holladay (4th) Nancy Richey Martina Navratilova Betty Stöve Dianne Fromholtz Chris Evert Martina Navratilova6–2, 6–4 Billie Jean King Betty Stöve
November (1976) WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists1 Nov Dewar CupLondon, Great BritainColgate International SeriesHard – $35,000 Virginia Wade6–2, 6–2 Chris Evert Rosie Casals Sue Barker Betty Stöve Florența Mihai Betsy Nagelsen Glynis Coles Betty Stöve Virginia Wade6–3, 2–6, 6–3 Rosie Casals Chris Evert22 Nov South African OpenJohannesburg, South AfricaColgate International SeriesHard – $35,000 Brigitte Cuypers6–7, 6–4, 6–1 Laura duPont Annette du Plooy Heidi Eisterlehner Lesley Charles Tanya Harford Glynis Coles Stephanie Tolleson Laura duPont Valerie Ziegenfuss6–1, 6–4 Yvonne Vermaak Elizabeth Vlotman29 Nov Colgate International ChampionshipsSydney, Australia Colgate International SeriesGrass – $100,000 Martina Navratilova7–5, 6–2 Betty Stöve Kerry Reid Dianne Fromholtz Evonne Goolagong Cawley Marise Kruger Sue Barker Margaret Court Martina Navratilova Betty Stöve6–3, 7–5 Françoise Dürr Ann Kiyomura
December (1976) WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists6 Dec Toyota Women's ClassicMelbourne, Australia Colgate International SeriesGrass – $75,000 Margaret Court 6–2, 6–2 Sue Barker Betty Stöve Dianne Fromholtz JoAnne Russell Françoise Dürr Janet Newberry Ilana Kloss Margaret Court Betty Stöve6–2, 6–4 Linky Boshoff Ilana Kloss26 Dec Marlboro NSW OpenSydney, Australia Colgate SeriesGrass – $35,000 Kerry Reid3–6, 6–2, 6–3 Dianne Fromholtz Karen Krantzcke Renáta Tomanová Wendy Turnbull Lesley Bowrey Virginia Ruzici Amanda Tobin Helen Gourlay Betsy Nagelsen6–4, 6–1 Dianne Fromholtz Renáta Tomanová
January WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists3 Jan Australian Open Melbourne, AustraliaGrand SlamGrass – 32S/16DSingles – Doubles Kerry Reid7–5, 6–2 Dianne Fromholtz Karen Krantzcke Helen Gourlay Jan Wilton Naoko Sato Mary Sawyer Katja Ebbinghaus Dianne Fromholtz Helen Gourlay5–7, 6–1, 7–5 Betsy Nagelsen Kerry ReidVirginia Slims of Washington Washington, United StatesVirginia SlimsCarpet (i) – $100,000 – 32S/16D Martina Navratilova6–2, 6–3 Chris Evert Wendy Turnbull Virginia Wade Sue Barker Beth Norton Françoise Dürr Janet Newberry Martina Navratilova Betty Stöve 7–5, 6–2 Kristien Shaw Valerie Ziegenfuss10 Jan Virginia Slims of Florida Hollywood, United StatesVirginia SlimsCarpet (i) – $100,000 – 34S/16D Chris Evert6–3, 6–4 Margaret Court Sue Barker Virginia Wade Betty Stöve Martina Navratilova JoAnne Russell Mima Jaušovec Martina Navratilova Betty Stöve 6–4, 3–6, 6–4 Rosie Casals Chris Evert17 Jan Virginia Slims of Houston Houston, United StatesVirginia SlimsCarpet (i) – $100,000 – 32S/13D Martina Navratilova7–6(5–3), 7–5 Sue Barker Mima Jaušovec Dianne Fromholtz Wendy Turnbull Kristien Shaw Greer Stevens Carrie Meyer Martina Navratilova Betty Stöve 4–6, 6–2, 6–1 Sue Barker Ann Kiyomura24 Jan Virginia Slims of Minneapolis Minneapolis, United StatesVirginia SlimsCarpet (i) – $100,000 – 33S/14D Martina Navratilova6–0, 6–1 Sue Barker Rosie Casals Olga Morozova Virginia Wade Margaret Court Mima Jaušovec Natasha Chmyreva Rosie Casals Martina Navratilova 6–2, 6–1 Mima Jaušovec Virginia Ruzici31 Jan Virginia Slims of Seattle Seattle, United StatesVirginia SlimsCarpet (i) – $100,000 – 33S/16D Chris Evert6–2, 6–4 Martina Navratilova Olga Morozova Rosie Casals Kristien Shaw Dianne Fromholtz Natasha Chmyreva Sharon Walsh Rosie Casals Chris Evert 6–4, 3–6, 6–3 Françoise Dürr Martina Navratilova
February WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists7 FebVirginia Slims of Chicago Chicago, United StatesVirginia SlimsCarpet (i) – $100,000 – 33S/16D Chris Evert6–1, 6–3 Margaret Court Betty Stöve Natasha Chmyreva Kristien Shaw Brigitte Cuypers Julie Anthony Rosie Casals Rosie Casals Chris Evert 6–3, 6–4 Margaret Court Betty Stöve14 FebVirginia Slims of Los Angeles Los Angeles, United StatesVirginia SlimsCarpet (i) – $100,000 – 34S/15D Chris Evert6–2, 2–6, 6–2 Martina Navratilova Rosie Casals Margaret Court Kerry Reid Virginia Wade Terry Holladay JoAnne Russell Rosie Casals Chris Evert 6–2, 6–4 Martina Navratilova Betty Stöve21 Feb Virginia Slims of Detroit Detroit, United StatesVirginia SlimsCarpet (i) – $100,000 – 32S Martina Navratilova6–4, 6–4 Sue Barker Virginia Wade Françoise Dürr Yvonne Vermaak Virginia Ruzici Margaret Court Sharon Walsh Martina Navratilova Betty Stöve6–3, 6–4 Janet Newberry JoAnne Russell28 Feb Virginia Slims of San Francisco San Francisco, United StatesVirginia SlimsCarpet (i) – $100,000 – 34S/16D Sue Barker6–3, 6–4 Virginia Wade Chris Evert Rosie Casals Betty Stöve Mima Jaušovec Kerry Reid Françoise Dürr Kerry Reid Greer Stevens6–3, 6–1 Sue Barker Ann Kiyomura
March WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists7 MarVirginia Slims of Dallas Dallas, United StatesVirginia SlimsCarpet (i) – $100,000 – 34S/17D Sue Barker6–1, 7–6(5–4) Terry Holladay Greer Stevens Virginia Wade Kathleen Harter Renáta Tomanová Kristien Shaw Betty Stöve Martina Navratilova Betty Stöve6–2, 6–4 Kerry Reid Greer Stevens14 MarVirginia Slims of Philadelphia Philadelphia, United StatesVirginia SlimsCarpet (i) – $100,000 – 32S/15D Chris Evert6–4, 4–6, 6–3 Martina Navratilova Sue Barker Rosie Casals Dianne Fromholtz Kerry Reid Virginia Wade Betty Stöve Françoise Dürr Virginia Wade6–4, 4–6, 6–4 Martina Navratilova Betty Stöve24 MarVirginia Slims Championships New York City, United StatesYear-end championshipsCarpet (i) – $150,000 – 16S (8RR) Chris Evert 2–6, 6–1, 6–1 Sue Barker3rd: 4th: 5th: Virginia Wade 6th: Betty Stöve7th: Mima Jaušovec8th: Kristien Shaw28 MarFamily Circle Cup Hilton Head Island, United StatesColgate SeriesClay – $110,000 – 30S/16DSingles Chris Evert6–1, 6–0 Billie Jean King Mima Jaušovec Kerry Reid Kathy May Rosie Casals Tracy Austin Renáta Tomanová Rosie Casals Chris Evert6–4, 6–2 Françoise Dürr Virginia Wade
April WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists4 Apr Bridgestone Doubles Championships Tokyo, JapanCarpet (i) – $100,000 – 8D Martina Navratilova Betty Stöve 7–5, 6–3 Françoise Dürr Virginia Wade Casals / King Jaušovec / Ruzici Newberry / Russell Kemmer / Ziegenfuss Barker / Kiyomura Holladay / May
May WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists9 MayGerman Open Hamburg, West GermanyColgate SeriesClay – $35,000 Laura duPont6–1, 6–4 Heidi Eisterlehner Katja Ebbinghaus Regina Maršíková Renáta Tomanová Iris Riedel Florența Mihai Lea Plchová Linky Boshoff Ilana Kloss2–6, 6–4, 7–5 Regina Maršíková Renáta Tomanová16 MayItalian Open Rome, ItalyColgate SeriesClay – $35,000 Janet Newberry6–3, 7–6(7–5) Renáta Tomanová Marie Pinterová Laura duPont Mima Jaušovec Iris Riedel Pam Teeguarden Mary Struthers Brigitte Cuypers Marise Kruger6–3, 5–7, 2–6 Bunny Bruning Sharon Walsh23 May30 MayFrench Open Paris, FranceGrand SlamClay (red) – 64S/64Q/22D/24XSingles – Doubles – Mixed doubles Mima Jaušovec 6–2, 6–7(5–7), 6–1 Florența Mihai Regina Maršíková Janet Newberry Pam Teeguarden Renáta Tomanová Linky Boshoff Kathy May Regina Maršíková Pam Teeguarden5–7, 6–4, 6–2 Rayni Fox Helen Gourlay Cawley Mary Carillo John McEnroe7–6, 6–3 Florența Mihai Iván Molina
June WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists13 JunFederation Cup Eastbourne, Great BritainFederation CupGrass – 32 teams knockout2–120 Jun27 JunWimbledon Championships London, Great BritainGrand SlamGrass – 96S/48D/64XSingles – Doubles – Mixed doubles Virginia Wade 4–6, 6–3, 6–1 Betty Stöve Chris Evert Sue Barker Billie Jean King Rosie Casals Kerry Reid Martina Navratilova Helen Gourlay Cawley JoAnne Russell 6–3, 6–3 Martina Navratilova Betty Stöve Greer Stevens Bob Hewitt 3–6, 7–5, 6–4 Betty Stöve Frew McMillan
August WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists8 Aug US Clay Court Championships Indianapolis, United StatesColgate SeriesClay – $35,000 Singles – Doubles Laura duPont6–4, 6–3 Nancy Richey Cynthia Doerner Iris Riedel Maria Bueno Katja Ebbinghaus Lesley Charles Marcie Louie Linky Boshoff Ilana Kloss5–7, 7–5, 6–3 Mary Carillo Wendy Overton15 Aug Rothmans Canadian Open Toronto, CanadaColgate SeriesClay – $35,000 Regina Maršíková6–4, 4–6, 6–2 Marise Kruger Cynthia Doerner Jeanne Evert Katja Ebbinghaus Rosie Casals Yvonne Vermaak Fiorella Bonicelli Linky Boshoff Ilana Kloss 6–2, 6–3 Rosie Casals Evonne Goolagong Cawley22 Aug Ivey's Pepsi Tennis Classic Charlotte, United StatesColgate SeriesClay – $50,000 Martina Navratilova3–6, 6–2, 6–2 Mima Jaušovec JoAnne Russell Regina Maršíková Tracy Austin Brigitte Cuypers Katja Ebbinghaus Kate Latham Martina Navratilova Betty Stöve 6–3, 6–4 Regina Maršíková Pam Teeguarden29 Aug5 Sep US Open New York City, United StatesGrand Slam$250,000 – Clay – 64S/32D/32XSingles – Doubles – Mixed doubles Chris Evert7–6(7–3), 6–2 Wendy Turnbull Betty Stöve Martina Navratilova Billie Jean King Tracy Austin Virginia Wade Mima Jaušovec Martina Navratilova Betty Stöve6–1, 7–6(7–4) Renée Richards Betty-Ann Stuart Betty Stöve Frew McMillan6–2, 3–6, 6–3 Billie Jean King Vitas Gerulaitis
September WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists12 Sep Toray Sillook Open Osaka & Tokyo, JapanColgate SeriesCarpet (i) – $100,000Singles Virginia Wade7–5, 5–7, 6–4 Martina Navratilova Wendy Turnbull Sue Barker Mima Jaušovec Terry Holladay Julie Anthony Michelle Tyler26 Sep Florida Federal Open Palm Harbor, United StatesColgate SeriesHard – $35,000 Virginia Ruzici6–4, 4–6, 6–2 Laura duPont Marise Kruger Mona Guerrant Michelle Tyler Renée Richards Mary Hamm JoAnne Russell Linky Boshoff Ilana Kloss6–7, 6–2, 6–2 Brigitte Cuypers Marise Kruger
October