The 1981 World Championship Series was the 9th season since the foundation of the Women's Tennis Association. It commenced on January 4, 1981, and concluded on December 19, 1981, after 36 events. The World Championship Series was the elite tour for professional women's tennis organised by the Women's Tennis Association (WTA). The year is divided into two sponsors with the first three months sponsored by Avon Series and the latter part by Toyota 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.
Schedule The table below shows the 1981 WTA Tour schedule.
Key Grand Slam tournamentsWTA championshipsAvon Championships Circuit Toyota SeriesTeam events
January WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists12 Jan Avon Championships of Kansas Kansas City, United States Avon Championships CircuitCarpet (i) – $150,000 – 32S/16D Singles Andrea Jaeger 3–6, 6–3, 7–5 Martina Navratilova Barbara Potter Virginia Ruzici Kate Latham Sandy Collins Mima Jaušovec Sylvia Hanika Barbara Potter Sharon Walsh 6–2, 7–6(7–4) Rosie Casals Wendy Turnbull19 Jan Avon Championships of Cincinnati Cincinnati, United StatesAvon Championships CircuitCarpet (i) – $150,000 – 32S/16D Martina Navratilova6–2, 6–4 Sylvia Hanika Jennifer Russell Hana Mandlíková Barbara Potter Pam Shriver Virginia Ruzici Virginia Wade Kathy Jordan Anne Smith1–6, 6–3, 6–3 Martina Navratilova Pam Shriver26 Jan Avon Championships of Chicago Chicago, United StatesAvon Championships Circuit Carpet (i) – $200,000 – 56S/28D Martina Navratilova 6–4, 6–2 Hana Mandlíková Wendy Turnbull Barbara Potter Anne Smith Pam Shriver Peanut Louie Sylvia Hanika Martina Navratilova Pam Shriver6–3, 6–1 Barbara Potter Sharon Walsh
February WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists2 Feb Avon Championships of Detroit Detroit, United States Avon Championships CircuitCarpet (i) – $150,000 – 32S/16D Singles Leslie Allen 6–4, 6–4 Hana Mandlíková Pam Shriver Barbara Potter Claudia Kohde-Kilsch Bettina Bunge Mima Jaušovec Wendy Turnbull Rosie Casals Wendy Turnbull 6–4, 6–2 Hana Mandlíková Betty Stöve9 Feb Avon Championships of California Oakland, United StatesAvon Championships Circuit Carpet (i) – $125,000 – 32S/16D Singles Andrea Jaeger 6–3, 6–1 Virginia Wade Beth Norton Wendy Turnbull Claudia Kohde-Kilsch Pam Teeguarden Mima Jaušovec Sue Barker Rosie Casals Wendy Turnbull6–1, 6–4 Martina Navratilova Virginia Wade16 Feb Avon Championships of Houston Houston, United StatesAvon Championships CircuitCarpet (i) – $100,000 – 16S/8D Singles – Doubles Hana Mandlíková6–4, 6–4 Bettina Bunge Kathy Jordan Mima Jaušovec Pam Teeguarden Zina Garrison Jennifer Russell Kate Latham Sue Barker Ann Kiyomura 5–7, 6–4, 6–3 Regina Maršíková Mary Lou Piatek23 Feb Avon Championships of Seattle Seattle, United StatesAvon Championships CircuitCarpet (i) – $150,000 – 32S/16D Sylvia Hanika6–2, 6–1 Barbara Potter Kathy Jordan Bettina Bunge Anne Smith Pam Shriver Wendy Turnbull Hana Mandlíková Rosie Casals Wendy Turnbull 6–1, 6–4 Sue Barker Ann Kiyomura
March WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists2 Mar Avon Championships of Los Angeles Los Angeles, United StatesAvon Championships CircuitHard – $150,000 – 32S/16D Martina Navratilova6–4, 6–0 Andrea Jaeger Sylvia Hanika Bettina Bunge Julie Harrington Barbara Potter JoAnne Russell Billie Jean King Susan Leo Kim Sands 6–1, 4–6, 6–1 Peanut Louie Marita Redondo9 Mar Avon Championships of Dallas Dallas, United StatesAvon Championships CircuitCarpet (i) – $175,000 – 33S/16D Martina Navratilova6–2, 6–4 Pam Shriver Virginia Ruzici Bettina Bunge Mary Lou Piatek Billie Jean King Kathy Jordan Mima Jaušovec Martina Navratilova Pam Shriver 7–5, 6–4 Kathy Jordan Anne Smith15 Mar Avon Championships of Boston Boston, United StatesAvon Championships CircuitCarpet (i) – $150,000 – 32S/16D Chris Evert-Lloyd6–4, 6–4 Mima Jaušovec Kathy Jordan Sylvia Hanika Virginia Ruzici Peanut Louie Wendy Turnbull Hana Mandlíková Barbara Potter Sharon Walsh 5–7, 6–4, 6–3 Jennifer Russell Virginia Ruzici23 Mar Avon Championships New York City, United StatesWTA ChampionshipsCarpet (i) – $300,000 – 8S/4D Singles – Doubles Martina Navratilova 6–3, 7–6(7–3) Andrea Jaeger Bettina Bunge Sylvia Hanika Martina Navratilova Pam Shriver 6–0, 7–6(8–6) Barbara Potter Sharon Walsh
April WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists6 Apr Family Circle Cup Hilton Head Island, United StatesToyota Series (Category 5)Clay – $150,000 – 56S/32D Chris Evert-Lloyd6–3, 6–2 Pam Shriver Virginia Ruzici JoAnne Russell Regina Maršíková Mima Jaušovec Pam Casale Joyce Portman Rosie Casals Wendy Turnbull 7–5, 7–5 Mima Jaušovec Pam Shriver 13 Apr Wightman Cup Williamsburg, United StatesTeam eventHard (i) 7–0 20 Apr Murjani WTA Championships Amelia Island, United StatesToyota Series (Category 7)Clay – $250,000 – 56S/32D Singles – Doubles Chris Evert-Lloyd6–0, 6–0 Martina Navratilova Virginia Ruzici Mima Jaušovec Pam Shriver Andrea Jaeger Ivanna Madruga Sylvia Hanika Kathy Jordan Paula Smith 6–3, 5–7, 7–6(7–2) Virginia Ruzici JoAnne Russell27 Apr United Airlines Tournament of Champions Orlando, United StatesToyota Series (Category 7)Clay – $200,000 – 22S/8D Martina Navratilova7–5, 6–3 Andrea Jaeger Regina Maršíková Hana Mandlíková Yvonne Vermaak Wendy Turnbull Kathleen Horvath Sylvia Hanika Martina Navratilova Pam Shriver 6–1, 7–6(12–10) Rosie Casals Wendy Turnbull
May WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists4 May Italian Open Perugia, ItalyToyota Series (Category 3)Clay – $100,000 – 56S/32D Chris Evert-Lloyd6–1, 6–2 Virginia Ruzici Sandy Collins Joyce Portman Lucia Romanov Rosalyn Fairbank Ivanna Madruga Elly Appel-Vessies Candy Reynolds Paula Smith 7–5, 6–1 Chris Evert-Lloyd Virginia Ruzici Bridgestone Doubles Championships Tokyo, JapanToyota Series (Category 5)Carpet (i) – $150,000 – 8D Sue Barker Ann Kiyomura 7–5, 6–2 Barbara Potter Sharon Walsh Casals / Turnbull Jordan / Smith Peanut Louie/ Redondo Blackwood / Leo duPont / Jordan Jaeger / King11 May Toyota Swiss Open Lugano, SwitzerlandToyota Series (Category 3)Clay – $100,000 – 32S/16D Chris Evert-Lloyd6–1, 6–1 Virginia Ruzici Regina Maršíková Sylvia Hanika Sandy Collins Dianne Balestrat Hana Strachoňová Candy Reynolds Rosalyn Fairbank Tanya Harford2–6, 6–1, 6–4 Candy Reynolds Paula Smith18 May German Open West Berlin, West GermanyToyota Series (Category 3)Clay – $150,000 – 56S/28D Regina Maršíková6–2, 6–1 Ivanna Madruga Sandy Collins Dianne Fromholtz Tracy Austin Deborah Jevans Mima Jaušovec Hana Mandlíková Rosalyn Fairbank Tanya Harford 6–3, 6–4 Sue Barker Renáta Tomanová25 May1 June French Open Paris, FranceGrand Slam Clay – $300,000 – 112S/64Q/48D/32X Singles – Doubles – Mixed doubles Hana Mandlíková 6–2, 6–4 Sylvia Hanika Chris Evert-Lloyd Andrea Jaeger Virginia Ruzici Kathy Rinaldi Mima Jaušovec Martina Navratilova Rosalyn Fairbank Tanya Harford 6–1, 6–3 Candy Reynolds Paula Smith Andrea Jaeger James Arias 7–6, 6–4 Betty Stöve Frederick McNair
June WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists8 Jun Surrey Championships Surbiton, Great BritainToyota Series (Category 1)Grass – $50,000 – 56S/32D Betsy Nagelsen6–0, 6–4 Barbara Hallquist Diane Desfor Martina Navratilova Marjorie Blackwood Laura duPont JoAnne Russell Sue Barker Sue Barker Ann Kiyomura 6–1, 6–7, 6–1 Billie Jean King Ilana Kloss15 Jun BMW Championships Eastbourne, Great BritainToyota Series (Category 4)Grass – $125,000 – 64S/32D Tracy Austin6–3, 6–4 Andrea Jaeger Barbara Potter Martina Navratilova Anne Smith Wendy Turnbull Pam Casale Claudia Kohde-Kilsch Martina Navratilova Pam Shriver 6–7(5–7), 6–2, 6–1 Kathy Jordan Anne Smith22 Jun29 Jun Wimbledon Championships London, Great BritainGrand SlamGrass – $300,000 – 112S/64Q/48D/48X Singles – Doubles – Mixed doubles Chris Evert-Lloyd 6–2, 6–2 Hana Mandlíková Pam Shriver Martina Navratilova Mima Jaušovec Tracy Austin Virginia Ruzici Wendy Turnbull Martina Navratilova Pam Shriver 6–3, 7–6(8–6) Kathy Jordan Anne Smith Betty Stöve Frew McMillan 4–6, 7–6(7–2), 6–3 Tracy Austin John Austin
July WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists13 Jul Austrian Open Kitzbühel, AustriaToyota Series (Category 1)Clay – $50,000 – 32S/16D Claudia Kohde-Kilsch7–5, 7–6 Sylvia Hanika Regina Maršíková Virginia Ruzici Patricia Medrado Yvonne Vermaak Lena Sandin Marjorie Blackwood Claudia Kohde-Kilsch Eva Pfaff 6–4, 6–3 Elizabeth Little Yvonne Vermaak27 Jul Wells Fargo Open San Diego, United StatesToyota Series (Category 4)Hard – $125,000- 32S/16D Tracy Austin6–2, 5–7, 6–2 Pam Shriver Kathy Jordan Kate Latham Candy Reynolds Mary Lou Piatek Bettina Bunge Yvonne Vermaak Kathy Jordan Candy Reynolds 6–1, 2–6, 6–4 Rosie Casals Pam Shriver
August WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists3 Aug U.S. Clay Court Championships Indianapolis, United StatesToyota Series (Category 5)Clay – $150,000 – 56S/32D Singles – Doubles Andrea Jaeger6–1, 6–0 Virginia Ruzici Mima Jaušovec Regina Maršíková Sue Barker Anne Smith Hana Strachoňová Susan Mascarin JoAnne Russell Virginia Ruzici 6–2, 6–2 Sue Barker Paula Smith10 Aug Central Fidelity Banks International Richmond, United States Toyota Series (Category 3) Carpet (i) – $100,000 – 32S/16D Mary Lou Piatek 6–4, 6–1 Sue Barker Betsy Nagelsen Pam Shriver Sylvia Hanika Regina Maršíková Wendy Turnbull Sandy Collins Sue Barker Ann Kiyomura 4–6, 7–6, 6–4 Kathy Jordan Anne Smith17 Aug Player's Canadian Open Toronto, CanadaToyota Series (Category 7)Hard – $200,000 – 56S/32D Tracy Austin6–1, 6–4 Chris Evert-Lloyd Andrea Jaeger Martina Navratilova Hana Mandlíková Rosalyn Fairbank Sylvia Hanika Pam Shriver Martina Navratilova Pam Shriver 7–6, 7–6 Candy Reynolds Anne Smith24 Aug Volvo Women's Cup Mahwah, United StatesToyota Series (Category 3)Hard – $100,000 – 56S/32D Hana Mandlíková6–2, 6–2 Pam Casale Bettina Bunge Regina Maršíková Trey Lewis Virginia Ruzici Wendy White Stacy Margolin Rosie Casals Wendy Turnbull 6–2, 6–1 Candy Reynolds Betty Stöve31 Aug7 Sep US Open New York City, United StatesGrand Slam Hard – $400,000 – 128S/64Q/64D/32X Singles – Doubles – Mixed doubles Tracy Austin 1–6, 7–6(7–4), 7–6(7–1) Martina Navratilova Chris Evert-Lloyd Barbara Potter Hana Mandlíková Anne Smith Sylvia Hanika Barbara Gerken Kathy Jordan Anne Smith 6–3, 6–3 Rosie Casals Wendy Turnbull Anne Smith Kevin Curren 6–4, 7–6(7–4) JoAnne Russell Steve Denton
September WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists14 Sep Toray Sillook Open Tokyo, Japan Toyota Series (Category 3)Carpet (i) – $100,000 – 32S Ann Kiyomura6–4, 7–5 Bettina Bunge Mima Jaušovec Kathleen Horvath Sharon Walsh Candy Reynolds Anne Hobbs Leslie Allen21 Sep Toyota Tennis Classic Atlanta, United StatesToyota Series (Category 2)Hard – $75,000 – 32S/16D Tracy Austin4–6, 6–3, 6–3 Mary Lou Piatek Laura duPont Susan Mascarin Beth Norton Wendy White Rosie Casals Sharon Walsh Laura duPont Betsy Nagelsen 6–4, 7–5 Rosie Casals Candy Reynolds28 Sep U.S. Women's Indoor Championships Bloomington, United StatesToyota Series (Category 4)Carpet (i) – $125,000 – 32S/16D Martina Navratilova 6–0, 6–2 Tracy Austin Candy Reynolds Wendy Turnbull Sharon Walsh Julie Harrington Anne Smith Barbara Potter Martina Navratilova Pam Shriver 6–3, 7–6 Rosie Casals Wendy Turnbull
October