The 1978 WTA Tour consisted of a number of tennis tournaments for female tennis players. It was composed of two subsidiary circuits, the streamlined winter version of the Virginia Slims Circuit (which was now an 11-week tour of the United States) and the world wide Colgate International Series. The tour was administered by the Women's International Professional Tennis Council.
Schedule This is a calendar of all events which were part of either the Virginia Slims circuit or the Colgate Series in the year 1978, with player progression documented from the quarterfinals stage. Also included are the Grand Slam tournaments, the 1978 Virginia Slims Championships, the 1978 Federation Cup and a number of events not affiliated with either tour.
Key Grand Slam tournamentsVirginia Slims/Colgate Series championshipsVirginia Slims Circuit Colgate International SeriesNon-tour eventsTeam events
November (1977) WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists14 NovColgate International of AustraliaSydney, Australia Colgate Series (AAAA)Grass – $100,000 Evonne Goolagong Cawley 6–1, 6–3 Kerry Reid Dianne Fromholtz Greer Stevens Terry Holladay Pam Teeguarden Jeanne Evert Betty Stöve Kerry Reid / Greer Stevensvs. Evonne Goolagong Cawley / Betty Stöve Cancelled21 NovToyota ClassicMelbourne, Australia Colgate Series (AA)Grass – $75,000 Evonne Goolagong Cawley 6–4, 6–1 Wendy Turnbull Sue Barker Betty Stöve Pam Whytcross Kerry Reid Dianne Fromholtz Helen Gourlay Cawley Evonne Goolagong Cawley Betty Stöve 6–3, 6–0 Patricia Bostrom Kym Ruddell28 NovrSouth African OpenJohannesburg, South AfricaColgate Series (A)Hard – $35,000 Linky Boshoff 6–4, 6–1 Brigitte Cuypers Yvonne Vermaak Sharon Walsh Niekle Scheepers Jeanne Evert Marise Kruger Alison McDade Linky Boshoff Ilana Kloss 5–7, 6–3, 6–3 Brigitte Cuypers Marise Kruger
December (1977) WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists5 DecBremar CupLondon, Great BritainColgate Series (A)Hard – $35,000 Billie Jean King 6–3, 6–1 Virginia Wade Betty Stöve Virginia Ruzici Tanya Harford Sharon Walsh Florența Mihai Renáta Tomanová Billie Jean King Renáta Tomanová 6–2, 6–3 Betty Stöve Virginia Wade12 DecMarlboro NSW OpenSydney, Australia Colgate Series (A)Grass – $35,000 Evonne Goolagong Cawley 6–2, 6–3 Sue Barker Kerry Reid Regina Maršíková Evonne Goolagong Cawley Helen Gourlay Cawley 6–0, 6–0 Mona Guerrant Kerry Reid19 Dec26 DecAustralian Open Melbourne, AustraliaGrand Slam (A)Grass – 32S/16DSingles – Doubles Evonne Goolagong Cawley 6–3, 6–0 Helen Gourlay Cawley Kerry Reid Sue Barker Judy Dalton Kathleen Harter Mona Guerrant Rayni Fox Evonne Goolagong Cawley / Helen Gourlay Cawley vs. Mona Guerrant / Kerry Reid Cancelled due to Rain
January WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists2 JanVirginia Slims of Washington Washington, United StatesVirginia SlimsCarpet (i) – $100,000 – 32S/16D Martina Navratilova 7–5, 6–4 Betty Stöve Dianne Fromholtz JoAnne Russell Greer Stevens Kathy May Virginia Ruzici Nancy Richey Billie Jean King Martina Navratilova 6–3, 7–5 Betty Stöve Wendy Turnbull9 JanVirginia Slims of Hollywood Hollywood, United StatesVirginia SlimsCarpet (i) – $100,000 – 32S/16D Evonne Goolagong Cawley 6–2, 6–3 Wendy Turnbull Betty Stöve Virginia Wade Tracy Austin Marita Redondo Nancy Richey Kathy Teacher Rosie Casals Wendy Turnbull 6–2, 6–4 Françoise Dürr Virginia Wade16 JanVirginia Slims of Houston Houston, United StatesVirginia SlimsCarpet (i) – $100,000 – 32S/16D Martina Navratilova 1–6, 6–2, 6–2 Billie Jean King Betty Stöve Virginia Wade Yvonne Vermaak Sue Barker Rosie Casals Wendy Turnbull Billie Jean King Martina Navratilova 7–6(5–4), 4–6, 7–6(5–4) Greer Stevens Mona Guerrant23 JanVirginia Slims of Los Angeles Los Angeles, United StatesVirginia SlimsCarpet (i) – $100,000 – 32S/16D Martina Navratilova 6–3, 6–2 Rosie Casals Marise Kruger Greer Stevens Yvonne Vermaak Sue Barker Virginia Wade Tracy Austin Betty Stöve Virginia Wade 6–3, 6–2 Pam Teeguarden Greer Stevens30 JanVirginia Slims of Chicago Chicago, United StatesVirginia SlimsCarpet (i) – $100,000 – 32S/16D Martina Navratilova 6–7(4–5), 6–2, 6–2 Evonne Goolagong Cawley Betty Stöve Virginia Wade Kerry Reid Sue Barker Wendy Turnbull Rosie Casals Betty Stöve Evonne Goolagong Cawley 6–1, 6–4 Rosie Casals JoAnne Russell
February WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists6 FebVirginia Slims of Seattle Seattle, United StatesVirginia SlimsCarpet (i) – $100,000 – 32S/15D Martina Navratilova 6–1, 1–6, 6–1 Betty Stöve Wendy Turnbull Marita Redondo Kathy May Rosie Casals Kerry Reid JoAnne Russell Kerry Reid Wendy Turnbull 6–2, 6–3 Patricia Bostrom Marita Redondo20 FebVirginia Slims of Detroit Detroit, United StatesVirginia SlimsCarpet (i) – $100,000 – 32S/16D Martina Navratilova 6–3, 6–2 Dianne Fromholtz Virginia Wade Billie Jean King Kerry Reid Greer Stevens Sharon Walsh Evonne Goolagong Cawley Billie Jean King Martina Navratilova 6–3, 6–4 Kerry Melville Wendy Turnbull27 FebVirginia Slims of Kansas Kansas, United StatesVirginia SlimsCarpet (i) – $100,000 – 34S/16D Martina Navratilova 7–5, 2–6, 6–3 Billie Jean King Virginia Wade Wendy Turnbull Kerry Reid Brigitte Cuypers Rosie Casals Evonne Goolagong Cawley Billie Jean King Martina Navratilova 6–4, 6–4 Kerry Reid Wendy Turnbull
March WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists6 MarVirginia Slims of Dallas Dallas, United StatesVirginia SlimsCarpet (i) – $100,000 – 32S/14D Evonne Goolagong Cawley 4–6, 6–0, 6–2 Tracy Austin Pam Shriver (3rd) Anne Smith (4th) Martina Navratilova Marise Kruger Kerry Reid Rosie Casals Martina Navratilova Anne Smith 6–3, 7–6(5–2) Evonne Goolagong Cawley Betty Stöve13 MarVirginia Slims of Boston Boston, United StatesVirginia SlimsCarpet (i) – $100,000 – 33S/14D Evonne Goolagong Cawley 4–6, 6–1, 6–4 Chris Evert Martina Navratilova Billie Jean King Kerry Reid Marise Kruger Marita Redondo Rosie Casals Billie Jean King Martina Navratilova 6–3, 6–2 Evonne Goolagong Cawley Betty Stöve20 MarVirginia Slims of Philadelphia Philadelphia, United StatesVirginia SlimsCarpet (i) – $100,000 – 32S/1DSingles – Double Chris Evert 6–0, 6–4 Billie Jean King Virginia Wade Virginia Ruzici Wendy Turnbull Tracy Austin Betty Stöve Kerry Melville Kerry Reid Wendy Turnbull 6–3, 7–5 Françoise Dürr Virginia Wade27 MarVirginia Slims Championships Los Angeles, United StatesSeason-end championshipsCarpet (i) – $150,000 – 16S (8RR)Single Martina Navratilova 7–6(5–0), 6–4 Evonne Goolagong Cawley Wendy Turnbull Rosie Casals 4thRound robin Virginia Wade Billie Jean King Betty Stöve Kerry Reid
April
WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists3 Apr Bridgestone Doubles Championships Salt Lake City, United States$100,000 – Carpet (i) – 8D Martina Navratilova Billie Jean King 6–4, 6–4 Françoise Dürr Virginia Wade Stöve / Goolagong Cawley Reid / Turnbull Stevens / Schallau Bostrom / Redondo Casals / Russell Kemmer / Newberry10 AprFamily Circle Cup Hilton Head Island, United StatesColgate Series (AAA)Clay – $125,000 – 30S/16D Chris Evert 6–2, 6–0 Kerry Reid JoAnne Russell Tracy Austin Martina Navratilova Jeanne DuVall Rosie Casals Renée Richards Billie Jean King Martina Navratilova 6–3, 7–5 Mona Guerrant Greer Stevens
May WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists15 MayGerman Open Hamburg, West GermanyColgate Series (A) Clay – $35,000 – 64S/16D Mima Jaušovec 6–2, 6–3 Virginia Ruzici Regina Maršíková Sylvia Hanika Renáta Tomanová Viviana González Kathy May Laura duPont Mima Jaušovec Virginia Ruzici 6–4, 5–7, 6–0 Katja Ebbinghaus Helga Niessen Masthoff22 MayItalian Open Rome, ItalyColgate Series (A)Clay – $35,000 Regina Maršíková7–5, 7–5 Virginia Ruzici Janet Newberry Michelle Tyler Mima Jaušovec Betsy Nagelsen Katja Ebbinghaus Renáta Tomanová Mima Jaušovec Virginia Ruzici6–2, 2–6, 7–6 Florența Mihai Betsy Nagelsen29 May5 JuneFrench Open Paris, FranceGrand Slam (AA)$337,000 – Clay – 64S/32D/24XSingles – Doubles – Mixed doubles Virginia Ruzici 6–2, 6–2 Mima Jaušovec Regina Maršíková Brigitte Simon Kathy May Helga Niessen Masthoff Mirka Bendlová Fiorella Bonicelli Mima Jaušovec Virginia Ruzici 5–7, 6–4, 8–6 Lesley Turner Bowrey Gail Sherriff Chanfreau Renáta Tomanová Pavel Složil 7–6 ret Virginia Ruzici Patrice Dominguez
June WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists12 JunKeith Prowse International Chichester, Great BritainColgate Series (A)Grass – $35,000 – 32S/16D Evonne Goolagong Cawley 6–4, 6–4 Pam Teeguarden Janet Wright Sharon Walsh Barbara Potter Diane Desfor Cynthia Doerner Tracy Austin Janet Wright Pam Shriver 3–6, 6–3, 6–4 Michelle Tyler Yvonne Vermaak19 JunColgate International Eastbourne, Great BritainColgate Series (AA)Grass – $75,000 – 64S/32D Martina Navratilova 6–4, 4–6, 9–7 Chris Evert Wendy Turnbull Billie Jean King Anne Hobbs Virginia Wade Betty Stöve Michelle Tyler Chris Evert Betty Stöve 6–4, 6–7, 7–5 Billie Jean King Martina Navratilova26 Jun3 JulWimbledon Championships London, Great BritainGrand Slam (AAAA)Grass – 96S/48D/64XSingles – Doubles – Mixed doubles Martina Navratilova 2–6, 6–4, 7–5 Chris Evert Virginia Wade Evonne Goolagong Cawley Billie Jean King Mima Jaušovec Virginia Ruzici Marise Kruger Kerry Reid Wendy Turnbull 4–6, 9–8(12–10), 6–3 Mima Jaušovec Virginia Ruzici Betty Stöve Frew McMillan 6–2, 6-2 Billie Jean King Ray Ruffels
August WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists7 AugUS Clay Court Championships Indianapolis, United StatesColgate Series (A) Clay – $35,000 – 48S/24D Singles – Doubles Dana Gilbert 6–2, 6–3 Viviana González Janet Wright Jeanne Evert Kate Latham Caroline Stoll Valerie Ziegenfuss Jeanne DuVall Helena Anliot Helle Sparre-Viragh 6–1, 6–3 Barbara Hallquist Sheila McInerney14 AugRothmans Canadian Open Toronto, CanadaColgate Series (A)Hard – $35,000 Regina Maršíková 7–5, 6–7(9–11), 6–2 Virginia Ruzici Diane Desfor Zenda Liess Mima Jaušovec Yvonne Vermaak Viviana González Lesley Hunt Regina Maršíková Pam Teeguarden 5–7, 6–4, 6–2 Chris O'Neil Paula Smith21 AugBergen County Classic Mahwah, United StatesColgate Series (AA)Hard – $75,000 Virginia Wade 1–6, 6–1, 6–4 Kerry Reid Regina Maršíková Tracy Austin Mareen Louie Harper Lesley Hunt Betsy Nagelsen Caroline Stoll Ilana Kloss Marise Kruger 6–3, 6–1 Barbara Potter Pam Whytcross28 Aug4 SepUS Open New York City, United StatesGrand Slam (AAAA)$260,000 – Hard – 96S/32D/32XSingles – Doubles – Mixed doubles Chris Evert 7–5, 6–4 Pam Shriver Martina Navratilova Wendy Turnbull Virginia Ruzici Lesley Hunt Kathy May Tracy Austin Billie Jean King Martina Navratilova 7–6, 6–4 Kerry Reid Wendy Turnbull Betty Stöve Frew McMillan 6–2, 3–6, 6–3 Billie Jean King Ray Ruffels
September WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists11 Sep Toray Sillook Open Tokyo, JapanColgate Series (AAA)Carpet (i) – $75,000 – 32S Virginia Wade 6–4, 7–6(7–2) Betty Stöve Marita Redondo Wendy Turnbull Jeanne DuVall Michelle Tyler Virginia Ruzici Carrie MeyerWomen in Tennis International San Antonio, United StatesColgate Series (A) Hard – $35,000 – 32S/16D Stacy Margolin 7–5, 6–1 Yvonne Vermaak Laura duPont Anna-Maria Fernandez Ilana Kloss Barbara Hallquist Patricia Medrado Cynthia Doerner Ilana Kloss Marise Kruger 6–1, 6–4 Laura duPont Françoise Dürr18 SepWorld Tennis Classic Montreal, CanadaColgate Series (A) Clay – $40,000 – 32S/18D Caroline Stoll 6–3, 6–2 Françoise Dürr Laura duPont Yvonne Vermaak Dana Gilbert Glynis Coles Diane Desfor Michelle Tyler Julie Anthony Billie Jean King 6–4, 6–4 Ilana Kloss Marise Kruger25 SepWyler's Classic Atlanta, United StatesColgate Series (AAA)Carpet (i) – $100,000 Chris Evert 7–6(7–3), 0–6, 6–3 Martina Navratilova Virginia Wade Betty Stöve Carrie Meyer Kerry Reid Wendy Turnbull Zenda Liess Françoise Dürr Virginia Wade 4–6, 6–2, 6–4 Martina Navratilova Anne Smith
October