1981 ATP Challenger Series

The ATP Challenger Series is the second-tier tour for professional tennis organised by the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP). The 1981 ATP Challenger Series calendar comprises 46 tournaments, with prize money ranging from $25,000 up to $50,000.

Several additional events were held and considered into ATP rankings but are not shown currently on ATP Tour website: Ituzaingo and Mar del Plata (Argentina), Yokohama (Japan), Lee-on-Solent (UK), Ulm (Germany), Campinas (Brazil) and White City/Sydney (Australia).

Schedule

January Week ofTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalistsJanuary 5January 12 Perth ChallengerPerth, AustraliaGrass – $25,000 – 64S/32D Singles draw – Doubles draw John Fitzgerald 6–2, 6–2 Syd Ball Colin Dibley Eddie Edwards Maurice Hunter John James Brad Drewett Brad Guan Syd Ball Cliff Letcher3–6, 7–6, 8–6 Colin Dibley John JamesJanuary 19January 26

February Week ofTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalistsFebruary 2February 9Ituzaingo (Buenos Aires), ArgentinaClay – $25,000 – 32S/16D Eric Fromm 6-4, 6-1 Eduardo Bengoechea Christophe Freyss Peter Elter Dominique Bedel Gabriel Urpí Gustavo Guerrero Carlos Castellan Fernando Dalla Fontana Roberto Carruthers 6-2 2-6 6-4 Ramiro Benavides Heinz GildemeisterFebruary 16Mar del Plata, ArgentinaClay – $25,000 – 32S/16D Eduardo Bengoechea 3-6 6-4 10-8 Mario MartinezPeter Elter Gabriel Urpí Fernando Dalla Fontana Gustavo Guerrero Alejandro Cerundolo

Andres MolinaDoubles unknownDoubles unknownFebruary 23 Ogun ChallengerOgun, NigeriaClay – $25,000 – 32S/16D Singles draw – Doubles draw Craig Wittus 2–6, 6–3, 6–0 Mark Vines Steve Docherty Ian Harris Robert Reininger Romanus Chuks Nwazu Filip Krajcik Gianluca Rinaldini Ian Harris Craig Wittus7–6, 7–6 Guy Fritz Harry Fritz Río de la Plata ChallengerClub Bellavista, Buenos Aires, ArgentinaClay – $25,000 – 32S/16D Singles draw – Doubles draw Eric Fromm 6–2, 6–1 Fernando Dalla Fontana Gabriel Urpí Roberto Argüello Juan Núñez Ramiro Benavides Diego Pérez Carlos Landó Roberto Carruthers Carlos Landó0–6, 6–1, 6–3 Charles Strode Morris Strode Note: the results of Ituzaingo and Mar del Plata tournaments are not published on the ATP Tour website but counted towards ATP rankings. The 3 argentinian tournaments serie was called "Circuito del Plata" and was reportedly completed by a 4th tournament in Montevideo, Uruguay, which results are not known.

March Week ofTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalistsMarch 2 Lagos Open Lagos, NigeriaHard – $50,000 – 32S/16D Singles draw – Doubles draw Larry Stefanki 5–7, 6–3, 6–0 Peter Feigl Marco Bellini Robert Reininger Craig Wittus Gilles Moretton Marzio Miloro Patrizio Parrini Bruce Kleege Larry Stefanki6–2, 3–6, 6–3 Ian Harris Craig WittusMarch 9 Kaduna Challenger Kaduna, NigeriaClay – $25,000 – 32S/16D Singles draw – Doubles draw Gianluca Rinaldini 6–3, 6–4 Gerald Mild Massimo Grassotti Famiano Meneschincheri Bruce Kleege Patrizio Parrini Frank Lapre Marzio Miloro Junie Chatman Mark Vines6–1, 6–2 Ian Harris Craig WittusMarch 16March 23March 30 Barcelona-1 Challenger Barcelona, SpainClay – $25,000 – 32S/16D Singles draw – Doubles draw Ulrich Pinner 6–3, 6–1 Miguel Mir Bernard Fritz Jairo Velasco Sr. Mats Wilander Joakim Nyström Sergio Casal Werner Zirngibl Junie Chatman Marko Ostoja6–4, 7–5 Francisco González Derek Segal

April Week ofTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalistsApril 6 Kyoto Challenger Kyoto, JapanClay – $25,000 – 32S/16D Singles draw – Doubles draw Ron Hightower 7–5, 7–6 Matt Doyle Russell Simpson Dave Siegler Damir Keretić Syd Ball Mike Cahill James Delaney Matt Mitchell Bill Maze7–6, 6–3 Bruce Kleege Dave SieglerApril 13 Barcelona-2 Challenger Barcelona, SpainClay – $25,000 – 32S/16D Singles draw – Doubles draw Diego Pérez 6–4, 3–6, 6–2 Fernando Maynetto Jérôme Potier Christoph Zipf Jairo Velasco Sr. Trevor Allan Patrick Proisy Claudio Panatta Tim Garcia Bruce Nichols6–4, 6–4 Gianni Marchetti Enzo Vattuone Curitiba Challenger Curitiba, BrazilClay – $25,000 – 32S/16D Singles draw – Doubles draw Carlos Kirmayr 6–1, 6–1 Alejandro Ganzábal Belus Prajoux Javier Restrepo Ivan Kley Alejandro Cerundolo José Luis Damiani Thomas Stålhandske Carlos Kirmayr Cássio Motta7–6, 6–4 José Luis Damiani Thomaz Koch San Luis Potosí Challenger San Luis Potosí, MexicoClay – $25,000 – 64S/32D Singles draw – Doubles draw Rick Fagel 7–6, 6–1 Steve Meister Brad Drewett Roberto Chávez Ian Harris Octavio Martínez Nial Brash Egan Adams Brad Drewett George Hardie5–7, 6–3, 7–6 Rich Andrews Kevin CookOsawa Head Tennis Tournament Yokohama, JapanClay – $25,000 – 32S/16D Jimmy Arias 6-4, 4-6, 7-5 Billy Martin Ron Hightower 2nd Semifinalist unknownQuarterfinalists unknownDoubles unknownDoubles unknownApril 20 Tokyo Challenger Tokyo, JapanClay – $25,000 – 32S/16D Singles draw – Doubles draw John Fitzgerald 6–2, 6–3 Roland Stadler Gianluca Rinaldini Mike Cahill Bruce Kleege Matt Doyle James Delaney Billy Martin John Fitzgerald Wayne Pascoe6–1, 7–6 Cliff Letcher Warren MaherApril 27 Berlin ChallengerBerlin, West GermanyClay – $25,000 – 32S/16D Singles draw – Doubles draw Werner Zirngibl 6–3, 7–6 Erick Iskersky Andreas Maurer Wolfgang Popp Pavel Huťka Fernando Maynetto Jérôme Potier Ulrich Marten Andreas Maurer Wolfgang Popp4–6, 6–3, 6–0 Tim Garcia Fernando Maynetto Nagoya Challenger Nagoya, JapanHard – $25,000 – 32S/16D Singles draw – Doubles draw Russell Simpson 6–3, 3–6, 6–3 Charlie Fancutt Mike Gandolfo James Delaney Larry Davidson Matt Doyle Matt Mitchell Warren Maher Billy Martin Russell Simpson7–6, 6–2 Matt Mitchell Bill Maze Parioli Challenger Parioli, ItalyClay – $25,000 – 32S/16D Singles draw – Doubles draw Alejandro Pierola 6–4, 3–6, 6–4 Corrado Barazzutti Marko Ostoja Alejandro Ganzábal Miguel Mir Henri Leconte Claudio Panatta Florin Segărceanu Henri Leconte Gilles Moretton6–4, 6–3 Florin Segărceanu Ben Testerman West Worthing Challenger West Worthing, Great BritainClay – $25,000 – 32S/16D Singles draw – Doubles draw John Feaver 4–6, 7–5, 6–3 Jonathan Smith Raymond Moore Andrew Jarrett Richard Lewis Danie Visser Tony Graham Deon Joubert Chris Johnstone Chris Lewis6–2, 6–3 Rory Chappell Schalk van der Merwe

May Week ofTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalistsMay 4 Chichester Challenger Chichester, Great BritainGrass – $25,000 – 32S/16D Singles draw – Doubles draw Steve Krulevitz 3–6, 6–3, 6–3 Mark Vines Jan Gunnarsson David Schneider Raymond Moore Deon Joubert Tony Graham Chris Johnstone Martin Davis Chris Dunk7–6, 6–1 Andrew Jarrett Jonathan Smith Galatina Challenger Galatina, ItalyClay – $25,000 – 32S/16D Singles draw – Doubles draw Werner Zirngibl 7–6, 7–5 Hans Simonsson Roberto Argüello Alejandro Pierola Fernando Dalla Fontana Ramiro Benavides Christophe Casa Carlos Gattiker Carlos Gattiker Patrizio Parrini6–4, 5–7, 7–5 Roberto Carruthers Fernando Dalla Fontana Mexicali Challenger Mexicali, MexicoHard – $25,000 – 32S/16D Singles draw – Doubles draw James Delaney 6–3, 5–7, 7–5 Ross Case Lloyd Bourne Anand Amritraj Matt Mitchell George Hardie João Soares Erik van Dillen Syd Ball Ross Case6–3, 6–3 John James Sashi MenonMay 11 Guadalajara Open Guadalajara, MexicoClay – $25,000 – 32S/16D Singles draw – Doubles draw João Soares 6–4, 7–5 Matt Anger Ross Case Glen Holroyd Scott Kidd Lloyd Bourne George Hardie Anand Amritraj Glen Holroyd Eric Sherbeck6–7, 6–4, 7–6 Bruce Kleege Andy KohlbergLee-on-the-Solent, Great BritainClay – $25,000 – 32S/16D Jan Gunnarsson 6-4; 6-4 Steve Krulevitz Jonathan Smith Craig Wittus Mike Myburg Andrew Jarrett

Nigel Sears

Mark Cox Martin Davis Chris Dunk Danie Visser Tian ViljoenMay 18May 25

June Week ofTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalistsJune 1 Napoli Challenger Naples, ItalyClay – $25,000 – 32S/16D Singles draw – Doubles draw Damir Keretić 4–6, 6–2, 6–2 Gustavo Guerrero Jérôme Potier Roberto Argüello Christoph Zipf Gianluca Rinaldini Roland Stadler Christophe Casa Ricardo Acuña Ramiro Benavides6–1, 6–1 Alejandro Pierola Ricardo RiveraJune 8June 15June 22 Cuneo Challenger Cuneo, ItalyClay – $25,000 – 32S/16D Singles draw – Doubles draw Juan Avendaño 7–5, 6–3 Roberto Vizcaíno Sergio Casal Mario Martinez Guillermo Aubone Gianni Marchetti Carlos Gattiker Ramiro Benavides Guillermo Aubone Ricardo Cano7–6, 7–5 Ricardo Acuña Ramiro BenavidesJune 29 Torino Challenger Turin, ItalyClay – $25,000 – 32S/16D Singles draw – Doubles draw Pablo Arraya 6–4, 3–6, 6–3 Stefan Simonsson Jaime Fillol Sergio Casal Claudio Panatta Derek Tarr Jim Gurfein Blaine Willenborg Lloyd Bourne Blaine Willenborg5–7, 6–4, 6–2 Jaime Fillol Željko Franulović Travemünde Challenger Travemünde, West GermanyClay – $25,000 – 64S/32D Singles draw – Doubles draw Ulrich Pinner 6–4, 4–6, 6–3 Peter Elter Werner Zirngibl Warren Maher Andreas Maurer Zoltán Kuhárszky David Mustard Damir Keretić Brad Guan Wayne Hampson6–3, 6–4 Bruce Derlin David Mustard

July Week ofTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalistsJuly 6 Essen Challenger Essen, West GermanyClay – $25,000 – 64S/32D Singles draw – Doubles draw Chris Johnstone 7–5, 7–6 Andreas Maurer Roberto Vizcaíno Helmut Beermann Jan Gunnarsson Cliff Letcher Guillermo Aubone Alejandro Pierola Jan Gunnarsson Stefan Svensson6–1, 6–1 Ernie Ewert Damir Keretić Sanremo Challenger Sanremo, ItalyClay – $25,000 – 32S/16D Singles draw – Doubles draw Corrado Barazzutti 7–5, 6–0 Ilie Năstase Jim Gurfein Pablo Arraya Jérôme Vanier Raúl Viver Gianni Marchetti Fabio Moscino Bob Berger Blaine Willenborg7–6, 6–3 Luca Bottazzi Francesco CancellottiJuly 13 La Spezia ChallengerLa Spezia, ItalyClay – $25,000 – 32S/16D Singles draw – Doubles draw Adriano Panatta 6–2, 6–0 Željko Franulović John Feaver Pablo Arraya Jérôme Vanier Scott Lipton Javier Restrepo Ferrante Rocchi Željko Franulović Adriano Panatta6–2, 6–4 Gianni Marchetti Enzo VattuoneJuly 20July 27 Rio de Janeiro Open Rio de Janeiro, BrazilClay – $25,000 – 64S/32D Singles draw – Doubles draw Júlio Góes 6–3, 6–3 Pablo Arraya Carlos Kirmayr Gustavo Tiberti Carlos Gattiker Guillermo Aubone Bruce Kleege Ney Keller Givaldo Barbosa João Soares6–4, 6–3 Guillermo Aubone Carlos Landó Zell Am See Challenger Zell Am See, AustriaClay – $50,000 – 32S/16D Singles draw – Doubles draw Fernando Luna 6–4, 6–2 Jiří Hřebec Wayne Hampson Anders Järryd Pavel Huťka Roland Stadler Gerald Mild Ramiro Benavides Ricardo Acuña Ramiro Benavides 6–7, 7–6, 7–6, 7–5 Wayne Hampson Chris JohnstoneMüller-Cup 81 Ulm, Germany Clay – $25,000 – 48S/?D Tomas Smid 6-2, 6-4 Andreas Maurer Miguel Mir Scott Lipton Hans-Dieter Beutel Hartmut Kirchhuebel Helmut Beermann Mark M. Cox Bud Cox Brad Guan 6-3, 6-2 Bob Blazekovic Erick Iskersky The four Brazilian Challengers in July and August constituted a circuit named "Itau Cup" . The best 8 finishers qualified for a Masters event held in São Paulo on the August 25th week, which in 1981 was won by Carlos Kirmayr. This Masters event did not count toward ATP rankings.

August