The 1985 Virginia Slims World Championship Series was the 13th season since the foundation of the Women's Tennis Association. It commenced in March 1985, and concluded in March 1986 after 52 events.
The Virginia Slims World Championship Series was the elite tour for professional women's tennis organised by the Women's Tennis Association (WTA). It was held in place of the WTA Tour from 1983 until 1987 and featured tournaments that had previously been part of the Toyota Series and the Avon 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.
The season was dominated by Martina Navratilova, who won 13 tournaments and reached the finals of the four Grand Slam events. She defeated Chris Evert at Wimbledon and the Australian Open. Navratilova also won the Virginia Slims Championships in March and ended the year at world Number 1. Evert, the winner of ten titles in 1985, emerged victorious at Roland-Garros, while Hana Mandlíková won the U.S. Open. Newcomer of the Year Gabriela Sabatini won the first title of her career in Tokyo. In doubles, the pairing of Navratilova and Pam Shriver won the title at Roland-Garros and the Australian Open, Jordan and Smylie won the Wimbledon title and Kohde-Kilsch–Suková were victorious at the US Open.
Schedule The table below shows the 1985 Virginia Slims World Championship Series schedule.
March WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists25 Mar WTA of PGA Palm Beach Gardens, United StatesClay – $50,000 – 32S/16D Kathleen Horvath 3–6, 6–3, 6–3 Petra Delhees Raffaella Reggi Terry Phelps Tine Scheuer-Larsen Gabriela Sabatini Beth Herr Shawn Foltz Anne Smith JoAnne Russell 1–6, 6–1, 7–6 Laura Gildemeister Gabriela Sabatini
April WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists1 Apr Wild Dunes Seabrook Island, United States Clay – $75,000 – 32S/16D/32Q Katerina Maleeva6–3, 6–3 Virginia Ruzici Sabrina Goleš Tine Scheuer-Larsen Shawn Foltz Susan Mascarin Debbie Spence Neige Dias Svetlana Cherneva Larisa Savchenko 6–1, 6–3 Elise Burgin Lori McNeil Bridgestone Doubles Championships Tokyo, JapanCarpet (i) – $175,000 – 9D Kathy Jordan Elizabeth Smylie4–6, 7–5, 6–2 Betsy Nagelsen Anne White Kiyomura / Reynolds Turnbull / Walsh Moulton / Smith Jolissaint / Mesker Piatek / White Bunge / Jaeger8 Apr Family Circle Cup Hilton Head Island, United States Clay – $200,000 – 56S/32D/32Q Chris Evert-Lloyd6–4, 6–0 Gabriela Sabatini Steffi Graf Manuela Maleeva Virginia Ruzici Petra Huber Pam Shriver Barbara Potter Rosalyn Fairbank Pam Shriver 6–4, 6–1 Svetlana Cherneva Larisa Savchenko15 Apr Sunkist WTA Championships Amelia Island, United States Clay – $250,000 – 56S/32D/32Q Zina Garrison6–4, 6–3 Chris Evert-Lloyd Claudia Kohde-Kilsch Hana Mandlíková Gabriela Sabatini Kathleen Horvath Steffi Graf Virginia Ruzici Rosalyn Fairbank Hana Mandlíková 6–1, 2–6, 6–2 Carling Bassett Chris Evert-Lloyd22 Apr Chrysler Tournament of Champions Orlando, United States Clay – $200,000 – 24S/5D Martina Navratilova6–1, 6–0 Katerina Maleeva Claudia Kohde-Kilsch Bonnie Gadusek Debbie Spence Catarina Lindqvist Sandra Cecchini Manuela Maleeva Martina Navratilova Pam Shriver 6–3, 6–1 Elise Burgin Kathleen Horvath Virginia Slims of San Diego San Diego, United States Hard – $75,000 – 32S/16D/32Q Annabel Croft6–0, 7–6 Wendy Turnbull Mary Lou Piatek Melissa Gurney Betsy Nagelsen Hu Na Beth Herr Rosalyn Fairbank Candy Reynolds Wendy Turnbull6–4, 6–0 Rosalyn Fairbank Susan Leo29 Apr Virginia Slims of Houston Houston, United States Clay – $150,000 – 28S/16D/32Q Martina Navratilova6–4, 6–1 Elise Burgin Helena Suková Manuela Maleeva Regina Maršíková Mary Lou Piatek Zina Garrison Sabrina Goleš Elise Burgin Martina Navratilova6–1, 3–6, 6–3 Manuela Maleeva Helena Suková Italian Open Taranto, ItalyClay – $50,000 – 28S/16D/32Q Singles – Doubles Raffaella Reggi6–3, 6–4 Vicki Nelson-Dunbar Laura Garrone Caterina Nozzoli Myriam Schropp Isabel Cueto Iva Budařová Kateřina Böhmová Sandra Cecchini Raffaella Reggi1–6, 6–4, 6–3 Patrizia Murgo Barbara Romanò
May WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists6 May Barcelona OpenBarcelona, SpainClay – $50,000 – 32S/16D Sandra Cecchini6–3, 6–4 Raffaella Reggi Andrea Holíková Regina Maršíková Virginia Ruzici Ginny Purdy Kateřina Skronská Lea Plchová Petra Jauch-Delhees Pat Medrado6–1, 6–0 Penny Barg Adriana Villagrán Australian IndoorsSydney, AustraliaHard (i) – $200,000 – 32S/16D Pam Shriver6–3, 6–3 Dianne Balestrat Alycia Moulton Gigi Fernández Rosalyn Nideffer Annabel Croft Barbara Potter Kathy Jordan Pam Shriver Elizabeth Smylie7–5, 7–5 Barbara Potter Sharon Walsh13 May Fila German Open West Berlin, West GermanyClay – $150,000 – 56S/32D Chris Evert-Lloyd6–4, 7–5 Steffi Graf Kathy Rinaldi Bettina Bunge Lisa Bonder Catarina Lindqvist Kathleen Horvath Claudia Kohde-Kilsch Claudia Kohde-Kilsch Helena Suková 6–4, 6–1 Steffi Graf Catherine Tanvier Melbourne IndoorsMelbourne, AustraliaHard (i) – $75,000 – 32S/16D Singles Pam Shriver6–4, 6–4 Kathy Jordan Annabel Croft Barbara Potter Ann Henricksson Amanda Brown Rosalyn Nideffer Sharon Walsh Pam Shriver Elizabeth Smylie6–2, 5–7, 6–1 Anne Hobbs Kathy Jordan20 May Swiss Open Lugano, SwitzerlandClay – $100,000 – 56S/28D Bonnie Gadusek6–2, 6–2 Manuela Maleeva Sylvia Hanika Helena Suková Gabriela Sabatini Kathy Rinaldi Katerina Maleeva Kathleen Horvath Bonnie Gadusek Helena Suková 6–2, 6–4 Bettina Bunge Eva Pfaff27 May French Open Paris, FranceGrand Slam Clay – $975,000 – 128S/64Q/64D/48X Singles – Doubles – Mixed doubles Chris Evert-Lloyd 6–3, 6–7(4–7), 7–5 Martina Navratilova Claudia Kohde-Kilsch Gabriela Sabatini Sandra Cecchini Hana Mandlíková Manuela Maleeva Terry Phelps Martina Navratilova Pam Shriver 4–6, 6–2, 6–2 Claudia Kohde-Kilsch Helena Suková Martina Navratilova Heinz Günthardt 2–6, 6–3, 6–2 Paula Smith Francisco González
June WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists10 Jun Edgbaston CupBirmingham, Great BritainGrass – $125,000 – 56S/32D/32Q Singles Pam Shriver6–1, 6–0 Betsy Nagelsen Elise Burgin Susan Mascarin Anne Hobbs Robin White Alycia Moulton Ann Henricksson Terry Holladay Sharon Walsh, 6–2, 6–4 Elise Burgin Alycia Moulton17 Jun Pilkington Glass ChampionshipsEastbourne, Great BritainGrass – $175,000 – 64S/32D/32Q Martina Navratilova 6–4, 6–3 Helena Suková Manuela Maleeva Wendy Turnbull Bettina Bunge Kathy Rinaldi Barbara Potter Pascale Paradis Martina Navratilova Pam Shriver 7–5, 6–4 Kathy Jordan Elizabeth Smylie24 Jun Wimbledon ChampionshipsLondon, Great BritainGrand SlamGrass – $900,000 – 128S/64Q/64D/64X Singles – Doubles – Mixed doubles Martina Navratilova 4–6, 6–3, 6–2 Chris Evert-Lloyd Kathy Rinaldi Zina Garrison Barbara Potter Helena Suková Molly Van Nostrand Pam Shriver Kathy Jordan Elizabeth Smylie 5–7, 6–3, 6–4 Martina Navratilova Pam Shriver Martina Navratilova Paul McNamee 7–5, 4–6, 6–2 Elizabeth Smylie John Fitzgerald
July WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists15 Jul Virginia Slims of Newport Newport, United States Grass – $150,000 – 32S/16D Chris Evert-Lloyd6–4, 6–1 Pam Shriver Eva Pfaff Wendy Turnbull Gigi Fernández Belinda Cordwell Elizabeth Smylie Lea Antonoplis 6–4, 7–6 Elektra Cup Bregenz, AustriaClay – $50,000 – 32S/16D Virginia Ruzici6–2, 6–3 Mima Jaušovec Petra Keppeler Angelikí Kanellopoúlou Regina Maršíková Andrea Betzner Isabel Cueto Petra Huber6–2, 6–3 22 Jul U.S. Clay Court Championships Indianapolis, United States Clay – $200,000 – 56S/32D Andrea Temesvári 7–6, 6–3 Zina Garrison Kate Gompert Gabriela Sabatini Manuela Maleeva Raffaella Reggi Debbie Spence Anna Ivan Steffi Graf Gabriela Sabatini3–6, 6–3, 6–4 Katerina Maleeva Manuela Maleeva29 Jul Virginia Slims of Los Angeles Manhattan Beach, United States Hard – $250,000 – 56S/32D Claudia Kohde-Kilsch 6–2, 6–4 Pam Shriver Carling Bassett Zina Garrison Hana Mandlíková Eva Pfaff Bettina Bunge Beth Herr Claudia Kohde-Kilsch Helena Suková 6–4, 6–2 Hana Mandlíková Wendy Turnbull
August WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists5 Aug Canadian Open Toronto, CanadaHard – $250,000 – 56S/32D Singles – Doubles Chris Evert-Lloyd6–2, 6–4 Claudia Kohde-Kilsch Hana Mandlíková Helena Suková Molly Van Nostrand Gabriela Sabatini Carling Bassett Martina Navratilova Gigi Fernández Martina Navratilova 6–4, 6–0 Marcella Mesker Pascale Paradis12 Aug United Jersey Bank Classic Mahwah, United States Hard – $150,000 – 56S/32D Singles – Doubles Kathy Rinaldi6–4, 3–6. 6–4 Steffi Graf Gabriela Sabatini Catarina Lindqvist Pam Shriver Kathy Jordan Helena Suková Kathy Rinaldi Kathy Jordan Elizabeth Smylie 7–6, 6–3 Claudia Kohde-Kilsch Helena Suková19 Aug Virginia Slims of New York Monticello, United States Hard – $75,000 – 32S/16D Barbara Potter4–6, 6–3, 6–2 Helen Kelesi Helena Suková Sylvia Hanika Debbie Spence Virginia Ruzici Jo Durie Sandra Cecchini Mercedes Paz Gabriela Sabatini 5–7, 6–4, 6–3 Andrea Holíková Kateřina Skronská26 Aug US Open New York City, United StatesGrand Slam Hard – $1,250,000 – 128S/64D/32X Singles – Doubles – Mixed doubles Hana Mandlíková 7–6(7–3), 1–6, 7–6(7–2) Martina Navratilova Chris Evert-Lloyd Steffi Graf Claudia Kohde-Kilsch Helena Suková Pam Shriver Zina Garrison Claudia Kohde-Kilsch Helena Suková 6–7(5–7), 6–2, 6–3 Martina Navratilova Pam Shriver Martina Navratilova Heinz Günthardt 6–3, 6–4 Elizabeth Smylie John Fitzgerald
September WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists9 Sep Virginia Slims of UtahSalt Lake City, United StatesHard – $75,000 – 32S/16D/31Q Stephanie Rehe6–2, 6–4 Camille Benjamin Laura Arraya Caroline Kuhlman Rosalyn Nideffer Patty Fendick Janine Thompson Emilse Raponi-Longo Svetlana Cherneva Larisa Savchenko7–5, 6–2 Rosalyn Nideffer Beverly Mould16 Sep Virginia Slims of ChicagoChicago, United States Carpet (i) – $150,000 – 31S/16D/31Q Singles – Doubles Bonnie Gadusek6–1, 6–3 Kathy Rinaldi Kathy Jordan Wendy Turnbull Pam Shriver Susan Mascarin Barbara Potter Elise Burgin Kathy Jordan Elizabeth Smylie6–2, 6–2 Elise Burgin JoAnne Russell23 Sep Virginia Slims of New Orleans New Orleans, United States Carpet (i) – $150,000 – 32S/16D/32Q Chris Evert-Lloyd6–4, 7–5 Pam Shriver Lisa Bonder Anne White Kim Shaefer Candy Reynolds Peanut Louie Wendy Turnbull Chris Evert-Lloyd Wendy Turnbull6–1, 6–2 Mary Lou Piatek Anne White30 Sep Lynda Carter/Maybelline Classic Fort Lauderdale, United StatesHard – $150,000 – 32S/16D/32Q Martina Navratilova6–3, 6–1 Steffi Graf Peanut Louie Bonnie Gadusek Terry Phelps Michelle Torres Dianne Balestrat Stephanie Rehe Gigi Fernández Robin White6–2, 7–5 Rosalyn Nideffer Beverly Mould
October