The WTA Tour is the elite tour for professional women's tennis circuit, organized by the Women's Tennis Association (WTA). The 1996 WTA Tour included the four Grand Slam tournaments, the WTA Tour Championships and the WTA Tier I, Tier II, Tier III and Tier IV events. ITF tournaments are not officially part of the WTA Tour, although they award points for the WTA World Ranking.
Schedule The table below shows the 1996 WTA Tour schedule.
Key Grand Slam eventsSummer Olympic Games Year-end championships Tier I events Tier II events Tier III events Tier IV events Team events
January WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists1 Jan Hyundai Hopman Cup Perth, AustraliaITF Mixed Teams ChampionshipsHard (i) – A$1,000,000 – 9 teams (RR)2–1 Amway Classic Auckland, New ZealandTier IV eventHard – $107,500 – 32S/16D Singles – Doubles Sandra Cacic6–3, 1–6, 6–4 Barbara Paulus Florencia Labat Fang Li Julie Halard-Decugis Sabine Hack Rita Grande Karin Kschwendt Els Callens Julie Halard-Decugis 6–1, 6–0 Jill Hetherington Kristine Radford8 Jan Schweppes Tasmanian International Hobart, AustraliaTier IV eventHard – $107,500 – 32S/16DSingles – Doubles Julie Halard-Decugis6–1, 6–2 Mana Endo Shi-Ting Wang Florencia Labat Judith Wiesner Silvia Farina Virginia Ruano Pascual Ai Sugiyama Yayuk Basuki Kyōko Nagatsuka 7–6, 6–3 Kerry-Anne Guse Park Sung-hee Peters International Sydney, AustraliaTier II eventHard – $342,500 – 28S/16DSingles – Doubles Monica Seles4–6, 7–6, 6–3 Lindsay Davenport Brenda Schultz-McCarthy Kimiko Date Mariaan de Swardt Mary Joe Fernández Nicole Bradtke Chanda Rubin Lindsay Davenport Mary Joe Fernández 6–3, 6–3 Lori McNeil Helena Suková15 Jan22 Jan Australian Open Melbourne, AustraliaGrand SlamHard – $3,970,600 – 128S/64D/32XSingles – Doubles – Mixed doubles Monica Seles6–4, 6–1 Anke Huber Chanda Rubin Amanda Coetzer Iva Majoli Arantxa Sánchez Vicario Martina Hingis Conchita Martínez Chanda Rubin Arantxa Sánchez Vicario 7–5, 2–6, 6–4 Lindsay Davenport Mary Joe Fernández Larisa Neiland Mark Woodforde4–6, 7–5, 6–0 Nicole Arendt Luke Jensen29 Jan Toray Pan Pacific Open Tokyo, Japan Tier I eventCarpet (i) – $926,250 – 28S/16DSingles – Doubles Iva Majoli6–4, 6–1 Arantxa Sánchez Vicario Martina Hingis Conchita Martínez Monica Seles Naoko Sawamatsu Magdalena Maleeva Lindsay Davenport Gigi Fernández Natasha Zvereva 7–6, 6–3 Mariaan de Swardt Irina Spîrlea
February WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists13 Feb Open Gaz de France Paris, FranceTier II eventCarpet (i) – $450,000 – 28S/16DSingles – Doubles Julie Halard-Decugis7–5, 7–6 Iva Majoli Magdalena Maleeva Silvia Farina Nathalie Dechy Miriam Oremans Petra Begerow Anke Huber Kristie Boogert Jana Novotná 6–4, 6–3 Julie Halard-Decugis Nathalie Tauziat19 Feb Faber Grand Prix Essen, GermanyTier II eventCarpet (i) – $450,000 – 28S/16DSingles – Doubles Iva Majoli7–5, 1–6, 7–6(8–6) Jana Novotná Åsa Carlsson Anke Huber Els Callens Rennae Stubbs Jennifer Capriati Barbara Rittner Meredith McGrath Larisa Neiland 3–6, 6–3, 6–2 Lori McNeil Helena Suková20 Feb IGA Classic Oklahoma City, United StatesTier III eventHard (i) – $164,250 – 32S/16DSingles – Doubles Brenda Schultz-McCarthy6–3, 6–2 Amanda Coetzer Chanda Rubin Elena Likhovtseva Katrina Adams Joannette Kruger Amy Frazier Lisa Raymond Chanda Rubin Brenda Schultz-McCarthy 6–4, 6–3 Katrina Adams Debbie Graham26 Feb EA-Generali Ladies Linz Linz, AustriaTier III eventCarpet (i) – $164,250 – 32S/16DSingles – Doubles Sabine Appelmans6–2, 6–4 Julie Halard-Decugis Elena Makarova Helena Suková Laurence Courtois Judith Wiesner Åsa Carlsson Jana Novotná Manon Bollegraf Meredith McGrath 6–4, 6–4 Rennae Stubbs Helena Suková
March WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists8 MarState Farm Evert Cup Indian Wells, United StatesTier I eventHard – $550,000 – 56S/28DSingles – Doubles Steffi Graf7–6, 7–6 Conchita Martínez Lindsay Davenport Kimiko Date Amanda Coetzer Chanda Rubin Nathalie Tauziat Lindsay Lee Chanda Rubin Brenda Schultz-McCarthy 6–1, 6–4 Julie Halard-Decugis Nathalie Tauziat21 MarLipton Championships Key Biscayne, United StatesTier I eventHard – $1,550,000 – 96S/48DSingles – Doubles Steffi Graf6–1, 6–3 Chanda Rubin Lindsay Davenport Karina Habšudová Kimiko Date Anke Huber Gabriela Sabatini Irina Spîrlea Jana Novotná Arantxa Sánchez Vicario 6–4, 6–4 Meredith McGrath Larisa Neiland
April WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists1 Apr Family Circle Cup Hilton Head Island, United StatesTier I eventClay – $926,250 – 28S/16DSingles – Doubles Arantxa Sánchez Vicario6–2, 2–6, 6–2 Barbara Paulus Conchita Martínez Jana Novotná Petra Begerow Irina Spîrlea Iva Majoli Sabine Hack Jana Novotná Arantxa Sánchez Vicario 6–2, 6–3 Gigi Fernández Mary Joe Fernández8 AprBausch & Lomb Championships Amelia Island, United StatesTier II eventClay – $450,000 – 56S/28DSingles – Doubles Irina Spîrlea6–7, 6–4, 6–3 Mary Pierce Mary Joe Fernández Arantxa Sánchez Vicario Conchita Martínez Sabine Hack Barbara Schett Meredith McGrath Chanda Rubin Arantxa Sánchez Vicario 6–1, 6–1 Meredith McGrath Larisa Neiland8 AprDanamon Open Jakarta, IndonesiaTier III eventHard – $164,250 – 32S/16DSingles – Doubles Linda WildW/O Yayuk Basuki Naoko Kijimuta Laurence Courtois Sabine Appelmans Rika Hiraki Claudia Porwik Kyōko Nagatsuka Rika Hiraki Naoko Kijimuta 7–6(7–2), 7–5 Laurence Courtois Nancy Feber15 AprJapan Open Tennis Championships Tokyo, JapanTier III eventHard – $164,250 – 32S/16DSingles – Doubles Kimiko Date7–5, 6–4 Amy Frazier Ai Sugiyama Naoko Kijimuta Karin Kschwendt Katarína Studeníková Kimberly Po Corina Morariu Kimiko Date Ai Sugiyama 7–6, 6–7, 6–3 Amy Frazier Kimberly Po22 Apr Fed Cup first round Salzburg, Austria, Clay Tokyo, Japan, Hard (i) Amiens, France, Clay Murcia, Spain, Clay 3-2 3-2 3–2 3-2 29 Apr"M" Electronika Cup Bol, CroatiaTier IV eventClay – $107,500 – 32S/16DSingles – Doubles Gloria Pizzichini6–0, 6–2 Silvija Talaja Sandra Cecchini Paola Suárez Sandra Kleinová Sandra Dopfer Dally Randriantefy Joannette Kruger Laura Montalvo Paola Suárez 6–7, 6–3, 6–4 Alexia Dechaume-Balleret Alexandra Fusai29 AprRexona Cup Hamburg, GermanyTier II eventClay – $450,000 – 28S/14DSingles – Doubles Arantxa Sánchez Vicario4–6, 7–6, 6–0 Conchita Martínez Julie Halard-Decugis Mary Pierce Ángeles Montolio Brenda Schultz-McCarthy Martina Hingis Ruxandra Dragomir Arantxa Sánchez Vicario Brenda Schultz-McCarthy 4–6, 7–6, 6–4 Gigi Fernández Martina Hingis
May WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists6 MayBudapest Lotto Open Budapest, HungaryTier IV eventClay – $107,500 – 32S/16DSingles – Doubles Ruxandra Dragomir7–6(8–6), 6–1 Melanie Schnell Elena Pampoulova Rita Kuti-Kis Julie Halard-Decugis Meghann Shaughnessy Andrea Temesvári Denisa Krajčovičová Katrina Adams Debbie Graham 6–3, 7–6(7–3) Radka Bobková Eva MelicharováItalian Open Rome, ItalyTier I eventClay – $926,250 – 56S/28DSingles – Doubles Conchita Martínez6–2, 6–3 Martina Hingis Irina Spîrlea Iva Majoli Steffi Graf Arantxa Sánchez Vicario Nathalie Tauziat Magdalena Maleeva Arantxa Sánchez Vicario Irina Spîrlea 6–4, 3–6, 6–3 Gigi Fernández Martina Hingis13 MayWTA German Open Berlin, GermanyTier I eventClay – $926,250 – 56S/28DSingles – Doubles Steffi Graf4–6, 6–2, 7–5 Karina Habšudová Iva Majoli Elena Likhovtseva Nathalie Tauziat Barbara Paulus Anke Huber Arantxa Sánchez Vicario Meredith McGrath Larisa Neiland 6–1, 5–7, 7–6(7–4) Martina Hingis Helena SukováRover Championships Cardiff, Great BritainTier IV eventClay – $107,500 – 32S/16DSingles – Doubles Dominique Van Roost6–4, 6–2 Laurence Courtois Henrieta Nagyová Patricia Hy-Boulais Naoko Kijimuta Alexandra Fusai Miriam Oremans Mariaan de Swardt Katrina Adams Mariaan de Swardt 6–0, 6–4 Els Callens Laurence Courtois20 MayInternationaux de Strasbourg Strasbourg, FranceTier III eventClay – $164,250 – 32S/16DSingles – Doubles Lindsay Davenport6–3, 7–6(8–6) Barbara Paulus Judith Wiesner Katarína Studeníková Anke Huber Nathalie Tauziat Alexia Dechaume-Balleret Annie Miller Yayuk Basuki Nicole Bradtke 5–7, 6–4, 6–4 Marianne Werdel Tami WhitlingerWorld Doubles Cup Edinburgh, Great BritainClay – $188,125 – 8DDoubles Nicole Arendt Manon Bollegraf6–3, 2–6, 7–6 Gigi Fernández Natasha Zvereva Adams / de Swardt McGrath / Neiland Makarova / Maniokova Garrison / Rinaldi Tarabini / Vis Hetherington / RadfordOpen Paginas Amarillas Madrid, SpainTier II eventClay – $250,000 – 28S/14DSingles – Doubles Jana Novotná4–6, 6–4, 6–3 Magdalena Maleeva Monica Seles Arantxa Sánchez Vicario Irina Spîrlea Ludmila Richterová Brenda Schultz-McCarthy Amanda Coetzer Jana Novotná Arantxa Sánchez Vicario 7–6(7–4), 6–2 Sabine Appelmans Miriam Oremans27 May3 Jun French Open Paris, FranceGrand SlamClay – $4,456,343 – 128S/64D/32XSingles – Doubles – Mixed doubles Steffi Graf6–3, 6–7(4–7), 10–8 Arantxa Sánchez Vicario Conchita Martínez Jana Novotná Iva Majoli Lindsay Davenport Karina Habšudová Monica Seles Lindsay Davenport Mary Joe Fernández 6–2, 6–1 Gigi Fernández Natasha Zvereva Patricia Tarabini Javier Frana6–2, 6–2 Nicole Arendt Luke Jensen
June WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists10 JunDFS Classic Birmingham, Great BritainTier III eventGrass – $164,250 – 56S/28DSingles – Doubles Meredith McGrath2–6, 6–4, 6–4 Nathalie Tauziat Brenda Schultz-McCarthy Miriam Oremans Larisa Neiland Els Callens Christina Singer Laurence Courtois Elizabeth Smylie Linda Wild 6–3, 3–6, 6–1 Lori McNeil Nathalie Tauziat17 JunWilkinson Championships Rosmalen, NetherlandsTier III eventGrass – $164,250 – 32S/16DSingles – Doubles Anke Huber6–4, 7–6 Helena Suková Judith Wiesner Ruxandra Dragomir Iva Majoli Kristie Boogert Larisa Neiland Dominique Van Roost Larisa Neiland Brenda Schultz-McCarthy 6–4, 7–6 Kristie Boogert Helena Suková18 JunDirect Line International Championships Eastbourne, Great BritainTier II eventGrass – $363,000 – 28S/16DSingles – Doubles Monica Seles6–0, 6–2 Mary Joe Fernández Nathalie Tauziat Jana Novotná Inés Gorrochategui Lisa Raymond Yayuk Basuki Conchita Martínez Jana Novotná Arantxa Sánchez Vicario 4–6, 7–5, 6–4 Rosalyn Fairbank Pam Shriver24 Jun1 Jul Wimbledon Championships London, Great BritainGrand SlamGrass – $3,392,408 – 128S/64D/32XSingles – Doubles – Mixed doubles Steffi Graf6–3, 7–5 Arantxa Sánchez Vicario Kimiko Date Meredith McGrath Jana Novotná Mary Pierce Judith Wiesner Mary Joe Fernández Martina Hingis Helena Suková 5–7, 7–5, 6–1 Meredith McGrath Larisa Neiland Helena Suková Cyril Suk1–6, 6–3, 6–2 Larisa Neiland Mark Woodforde
July WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists8 Jul Fed Cup Semifinals Nagoya, Japan, Carpet (i) Bayonne, France, Carpet (i) 5–0 3-2 15 JulTorneo Internazionali Femminili di Palermo Palermo, ItalyTier IV eventClay – $107,500 – 32S/16DSingles – Doubles Barbara Schett6–3, 6–3 Sabine Hack Jana Kandarr Silvia Farina Stephanie Devillé Sandra Dopfer Sarah Pitkowski Henrieta Nagyová Janette Husárová Barbara Schett 6–1, 6–2 Florencia Labat Barbara Rittner23 Jul Summer Olympics Atlanta, United StatesSummer OlympicsHard – 64S/32DSingles – DoublesFourth Place Lindsay Davenport 7–6(10–8), 6–2 Arantxa Sánchez Vicario Jana Novotná 7–6(10–8), 6–4 Mary Joe Fernández Gigi Fernández Mary Joe Fernández 7–6(8–6), 6–4 Jana Novotná Helena Suková Conchita Martínez Arantxa Sánchez Vicario 6–1, 6–3 Manon Bollegraf Brenda Schultz-McCarthy
August