1988 Virginia Slims World Championship Series

The 1988 Virginia Slims World Championship Series was the 16th elite tour for professional women's tennis of the Women's International Tennis Association (WITA) for the 1988 season. The 1988 Virginia Slims World Championship Series included the four Grand Slam tournaments, the WITA Tour Championships and the WTA Category 1-5 events. ITF tournaments were not part of the WTA Tour, although they award points for the WTA World Ranking.

The tour was governed by the Women's International Professional Tennis Council (WIPTC), a cooperation between WITA, ITF and recognized tournaments. Philip Morris sponsored the tour under its Virginia Slims brand.

Steffi Graf became the first singles player in history to win the Golden Slam by taking the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and US Open singles titles, along with the Olympic gold medal. Graf's defeat by Pam Shriver in the semifinals of the Virginia Slims Championships deprived her of a Super Slam.Collins, Bud. The Bud Collins History of Tennis. New Chapter Press; 3rd ed. edition (15 Jan. 2016).

Schedule The table below shows the 1988 WTA Tour schedule.

Key Grand Slam tournaments Year-end championships Category 6 events Category 5 events Category 4 events Category 3 events Category 2 and 1 events Summer Olympics Team events

December 1987 WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists30 Nov Argentine OpenBuenos Aires, Argentina Category 1 Clay – $50,000 -56S/28D/32Q Singles – Doubles Gabriela Sabatini 6–0, 6–2 Isabel Cueto Bettina Fulco Barbara Paulus Mercedes Paz Gisele Miró Patricia Tarabini Laura Garrone Mercedes Paz Gabriela Sabatini 6–2, 6–2 Jill Hetherington Christiane Jolissaint7 Dec Brazilian OpenGuarujá, Brazil Category 1 Clay – $50,000 – 32S/16D/32Q Singles – Doubles Neige Dias 6–0, 6–7(2–7), 6–4 Pat Madrado Amy Frazier Bettina Fulco Barbara Paulus Laura Garrone Mercedes Paz Céline Cohen Katrina Adams Cheryl Jones 6–4, 4–6, 6–4 Jill Hetherington Mercedes Paz28 Dec Ariadne Women's ClassicBrisbane, AustraliaCategory 2 Grass – $150,000 – 56S/32D/32Q Singles – Doubles Pam Shriver7–6(8–6), 7–6(7–4) Jana Novotná Claudia Kohde-Kilsch Patty Fendick Claudia Porwik Manon Bollegraf Sylvia Hanika Pascale Paradis Betsy Nagelsen Pam Shriver2–6, 7–5, 6–2 Claudia Kohde-Kilsch Helena Suková

January WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists4 Jan New South Wales Open Sydney, AustraliaCategory 3 Grass – $200,000 – 56S/32D/32Q Singles – Doubles Pam Shriver6–2, 6–3 Helena Suková Claudia Kohde-Kilsch Patty Fendick Catarina Lindqvist Etsuko Inoue Brenda Schultz Hester Witvoet Ann Henricksson Christiane Jolissaint7–5, 4–6, 6–3 Claudia Kohde-Kilsch Helena Suková11 Jan18 Jan Australian OpenMelbourne, AustraliaGrand Slam Hard – $711,445 – 128S/64D/32X/64Q Singles – Doubles – Mixed doubles Steffi Graf 6–1, 7–6(7–3) Chris Evert Claudia Kohde-Kilsch Martina Navratilova Hana Mandlíková Claudia Porwik Anne Minter Helena Suková Martina Navratilova Pam Shriver 6–0, 7–5 Chris Evert Wendy Turnbull Jana Novotná Jim Pugh 5–7, 6–2, 6–4 Martina Navratilova Tim Gullikson25 Jan Nutri-Metics OpenAuckland, New ZealandCategory 1 $50,000 -Hard – 56S/32D/32Q Singles – Doubles Patty Fendick6–3, 7–6(7–3) Sara Gomer Beverly Bowes Emmanuelle Derly Sandra Wasserman Terry Phelps Gretchen Magers Clare Wood Patty Fendick Jill Hetherington 6–2, 6–1 Cammy MacGregor Cynthia MacGregor

February WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists1 Feb Fernleaf ClassicWellington, New ZealandCategory 1 Hard – $50,000 – 56S/32D/32Q Singles – Doubles Jill Hetherington6–1, 6–1 Katrina Adams Patty Fendick Anne Minter Simone Schilder Terry Phelps Gretchen Magers Belinda Cordwell Patty Fendick Jill Hetherington6–3, 6–3 Belinda Cordwell Julie Richardson8 Feb Virginia Slims of DallasDallas, United StatesCategory 4 Hard – $250,000 – 32S/16D/32Q Singles – Doubles Martina Navratilova6–0, 6–3 Pam Shriver Zina Garrison Manuela Maleeva-Fragnière Katerina Maleeva Barbara Potter Mary Lou Daniels Natasha Zvereva Lori McNeil Eva Pfaff2–6, 6–4, 7–5 Gigi Fernández Zina Garrison15 Feb Virginia Slims of CaliforniaOakland, United StatesCategory 4 Hard (i) – $250,000 – 32S/16D/32Q Singles – Doubles Martina Navratilova 6–1, 6–2 Larisa Savchenko Zina Garrison Gabriela Sabatini Natasha Zvereva Hu Na Hana Mandlíková Robin White Rosie Casals Martina Navratilova6–4, 6–4 Hana Mandlíková Jana Novotná22 Feb Virginia Slims of WashingtonWashington, United StatesCategory 5 Hard (i) – $300,000 – 32S/16D/32Q Singles – Doubles Martina Navratilova6–0, 6–2 Pam Shriver Hana Mandlíková Gabriela Sabatini Zina Garrison Natasha Zvereva Barbara Potter Helena Suková Martina Navratilova Pam Shriver6–3, 6–4 Gabriela Sabatini Helena SukováVirginia Slims of OklahomaOklahoma City, United StatesCategory 2 Hard – $100,000 – 32S/16D/32Q Singles – Doubles Lori McNeil 6–3, 6–2 Brenda Schultz Catarina Lindqvist Raffaella Reggi Helen Kelesi Dinky Van Rensburg Elna Reinach Jana Novotná Jana Novotná Catherine Suire6–4, 6–4 Catarina Lindqvist Tine Scheuer-Larsen29 Feb Virginia Slims of KansasKansas City, United States Category 2 Hard (i) – $100,000 – 32S/16D/32Q Singles – Doubles Manuela Maleeva-Fragnière 7–6(7–5), 7–5 Sylvia Hanika Svetlana Parkhomenko Hester Witvoet Jana Novotná Natalia Bykova Peanut Louie-Harper Pascale Paradis Natalia Bykova Svetlana Parkhomenko 6–3, 6–4 Jana Novotná Catherine Suire U.S. Women's Hard Court ChampionshipsSan Antonio, United StatesCategory 3 Hard – $200,000 – 32S/16D/32Q Singles – Doubles Steffi Graf6–4, 6–1 Katerina Maleeva Lori McNeil Helena Suková Nathalie Tauziat Natasha Zvereva Etsuko Inoue Patty Fendick Lori McNeil Helena Suková 6–3, 6–7, 6–2 Rosalyn Fairbank Gretchen Magers

March WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists7 Mar Virginia Slims of FloridaBoca Raton, United StatesCategory 5 Hard – $300,000 – 56S/32D/32Q Singles – Doubles Gabriela Sabatini2–6, 6–3, 6–1 Steffi Graf Pam Shriver Chris Evert Pascale Paradis Gigi Fernández Mary Joe Fernández Sandra Cecchini Katrina Adams Zina Garrison 4–6, 7–5, 6–4 Claudia Kohde-Kilsch Helena Suková14 Mar21 Mar Lipton International Players Championships Key Biscayne, United StatesCategory 6 (Tier I) Hard – $750,000 – 128S/64D/64Q Singles – Doubles Steffi Graf 6–4, 6–4 Chris Evert Stephanie Rehe Mary Joe Fernández Claudia Kohde-Kilsch Barbara Potter Elna Reinach Helena Suková Steffi Graf Gabriela Sabatini7–6(8–6), 6–3 Gigi Fernández Zina Garrison28 Mar Eckerd OpenTampa, United StatesCategory 3 Clay – $200,000 – 32S/16D/32Q Singles – Doubles Chris Evert7–6(7–3), 6–4 Arantxa Sánchez Vicario Halle Cioffi Patricia Tarabini Sylvia Hanika Wiltrud Probst Katerina Maleeva Manuela Maleeva-Fragnière Terry Phelps Raffaella Reggi6–2, 6–4 Cammy MacGregor Cynthia MacGregor

April WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists4 Apr Family Circle CupHilton Head Island, United StatesCategory 5 Clay – $300,000 – 56S/28D/32Q Singles – Doubles Martina Navratilova6–1, 4–6, 6–4 Gabriela Sabatini Manuela Maleeva-Fragnière Zina Garrison Raffaella Reggi Lori McNeil Helen Kelesi Sylvia Hanika Lori McNeil Martina Navratilova 6–2, 2–6, 6–3 Claudia Kohde-Kilsch Gabriela Sabatini11 Apr Bausch & Lomb ChampionshipsAmelia Island, United StatesCategory 5 Clay – $300,000 – 56S/28D/32Q Singles – Doubles Martina Navratilova6–0, 6–2 Gabriela Sabatini Steffi Graf Claudia Kohde-Kilsch Katerina Maleeva Michelle Torres Zina Garrison Kathleen Horvath Zina Garrison Eva Pfaff 4–6, 6–2, 7–6(7–5) Katrina Adams Penny Barg Suntory Japan OpenTokyo, JapanCategory 2 Hard – $100,000 – 32S/16D/32Q Singles – Doubles Patty Fendick6–3, 7–5 Stephanie Rehe Marianne Werdel Leila Meskhi Monique Javer Brenda Schultz Anne Minter Larisa Savchenko Gigi Fernández Robin White6–1, 6–4 Lea Antonoplis Barbara Gerken18 Apr Virginia Slims of HoustonHouston, United StatesCategory 4 Clay – $250,000 – 32S/16D/32Q Singles – Doubles Chris Evert6–0, 6–4 Martina Navratilova Elly Hakami Zina Garrison Arantxa Sánchez Vicario Patricia Tarabini Isabel Cueto Gretchen Magers Katrina Adams Zina Garrison6–7(4–7), 6–2, 6–4 Martina Navratilova Lori McNeil Taipei Women's ChampionshipTaipei, TaiwanCategory 1 Carpet (i) – $50,000 – 32S/16D Singles – Doubles Stephanie Rehe6–4, 6–4 Brenda Schultz Catarina Lindqvist Patty Fendick Jonna Jonerup Belinda Cordwell Ann Henricksson Betsy Nagelsen Patty Fendick Ann Henricksson6–2, 2–6, 6–2 Belinda Cordwell Julie Richardson Singapore Open Singapore Category 1 Hard – $50,000 – 32S/16D Singles – Doubles Monique Javer 7–6(7–3), 6–3 Leila Meskhi Dianne Balestrat Natalia Egorova Carin Bakkum Michelle Jaggard-Lai Masako Yanagi Anne Minter Natalia Bykova Natalia Medvedeva 7–6(7–4), 6–3 Leila Meskhi Svetlana Parkhomenko25 Apr Pan Pacific OpenTokyo, Japan Category 4 Carpet (i) – $250,000 – 28S/16D/32Q Singles – Doubles Pam Shriver7–5, 6–1 Helena Suková Larisa Savchenko Manuela Maleeva-Fragnière Peanut Louie-Harper Natasha Zvereva Etsuko Inoue Anne Minter Pam Shriver Helena Suková 4–6, 6–2, 7–6(7–5) Gigi Fernández Robin White Citta de TarantoTaranto, Italy Category 1 Clay – $50,000 – 32S/16D/32Q Singles – Doubles Helen Kelesi 6–1, 6–0 Laura Garrone Veronika Martinek Linda Ferrando Radka Zrubáková Alexia Dechaume Jana Pospíšilová Laura Lapi Andrea Betzner Claudia Porwik6–1, 6–2 Laura Garrone Helen Kelesi International Championships of SpainBarcelona, Spain Category 1 Clay – $50,000 – 32S/16D/32Q Singles – Doubles Neige Dias 6–3, 6–3 Bettina Fulco Mariana Pérez Roldán Arantxa Sánchez Vicario Sylvia Hanika Sandra Wasserman Pat Medrado Barbara Romanò Iva Budařová Sandra Wasserman1–6, 6–3, 6–2 Anna-Karin Olsson María José Llorca

May WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists2 May Italian Open Rome, ItalyCategory 3 Clay – $200,000 – 56S/32D/32Q Singles – Doubles Gabriela Sabatini6–1, 6–7(4–7), 6–1 Helen Kelesi Arantxa Sánchez Vicario Judith Wiesner Raffaella Reggi Bettina Fulco Sandra Cecchini Sylvia Hanika Jana Novotná Catherine Suire6–3, 4–6, 7–5 Jenny Byrne Janine Tremelling9 May German OpenWest Berlin, West Germany Category 5 (Tier I) Clay – $300,000 – 56S/28D/32Q Singles – Doubles Steffi Graf6–3, 6–2 Helena Suková Claudia Kohde-Kilsch Sylvia Hanika Nicole Provis Sandra Cecchini Radka Zrubáková Mary Joe Fernández Isabelle Demongeot Nathalie Tauziat 6–2, 4–6, 6–4 Claudia Kohde-Kilsch Helena Suková16 May European OpenGeneva, SwitzerlandCategory 2 Clay – $100,000 – 64S/32D/32Q Singles – Doubles Barbara Paulus6–4, 5–7, 6–1 Lori McNeil Isabelle Demongeot Mariana Pérez Roldán Manuela Maleeva-Fragnière Iva Budařová Catarina Lindqvist Mercedes Paz Christiane Jolissaint Dinky Van Rensburg 6–1, 6–3 Maria Lindström Claudia Porwik Grand Prix de StrasbourgStrasbourg, FranceCategory 2 Clay – $100,000 – 32S/16D/32Q Singles – Doubles Sandra Cecchini6–3, 6–0 Judith Wiesner Natasha Zvereva Nicole Provis Kathleen Horvath Bettina Fulco Susan Sloane Anne Minter Manon Bollegraf Nicole Provis7–5, 6–7(11–13), 6–3 Jenny Byrne Janine Tremelling23 May30 May French OpenParis, FranceGrand Slam Clay – $1,488,000 – 128S/64D/56X/64Q Singles – Doubles – Mixed doubles Steffi Graf 6–0, 6–0 Natasha Zvereva Gabriela Sabatini Nicole Provis Bettina Fulco Helen Kelesi Arantxa Sánchez Vicario Helena Suková Martina Navratilova Pam Shriver 6–2, 7–5 Claudia Kohde-Kilsch Helena Suková Lori McNeil Jorge Lozano 7–5, 6–2 Brenda Schultz-McCarthy Michiel Schapers

June