The 1979 WTA Tour consisted of a number of tennis tournaments for female tennis players. It was composed of the newly streamlined version of the Avon Championships Circuit (which was now an 11-week tour of the US) and the remaining world wide Colgate Series Circuit. The year 1979 also saw the creation of the first official ranking system and these rankings were used to determine acceptance into the tournaments.
Schedule This is a calendar of all events which were part of either the Avon Championships circuit or the Colgate Series in the year 1979, with player progression documented from the quarterfinals stage. Also included are the Grand Slam tournaments, the 1979 Avon Championships, the 1979 Federation Cup and a number of events not affiliated with either tour.
Key Grand Slam tournamentsAvon/Colgate Series championshipsAvon Championships Circuit Colgate SeriesNon-tour eventsTeam events
November (1978) WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists20 NovColgate InternationalChristchurch, New Zealand Colgate Series (A)Grass – $35,000 – 48S/28D Regina Maršíková6–2, 6–1 Sylvia Hanika Lea Antonoplis Mimmi Wikstedt Anne Hobbs Naoko Sato Jane Stratton Lesley Hunt Lesley Hunt Sharon Walsh6–1, 7–5 Katja Ebbinghaus Sylvia Hanika
December (1978) WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists4 DecToyota Women's ClassicSydney, Australia Colgate Series (AA)Grass – $75,000 – 64S/32D Dianne Fromholtz 6–1, 1–6, 6–4 Kerry Reid Virginia Wade Wendy Turnbull Regina Maršíková Lesley Hunt Hana Mandlíková Lesley Hunt Kerry Reid Wendy Turnbull6–2, 4–6, 6–2 Judy Chaloner Anne Hobbs11 DecAdelaide InternationalAdelaide, AustraliaColgate Series (AA)Grass – $50,000 – 64S/32D Kerry Reid 7–5, 6–7, 6–1 Beth Norton Hana Mandlíková Ilana Kloss Lesley Hunt Anne Hobbs Chris O'Neil Birgitte Hermansen Lesley Hunt Sharon Walsh 6–2, 6–2 Ilana Kloss Marise Kruger18 DecNew South Wales OpenSydney, Australia Colgate Series (AA)Grass – $75,000 – 32S Dianne Fromholtz 6–2, 7–5 Wendy Turnbull Renáta Tomanová Lea Antonoplis Lesley Hunt Ilana Kloss Sharon Walsh Elisabeth Ekblom Lesley Hunt Sharon Walsh 6–2, 6–1 Ilana Kloss Marise Kruger25 Dec1 JanAustralian Open Melbourne, AustraliaGrand Slam (A)Grass – 64S/32DSingles – Doubles Chris O'Neil6–3, 7–6(7–3) Betsy Nagelsen Dianne Evers Christine Matison Sue Barker Dorte Ekner Mary Sawyer Renáta Tomanová Betsy Nagelsen Renáta Tomanová 7–5, 6–2 Naoko Sato Pam Whytcross
January WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists1 JanAvon Championships of Washington Washington, United StatesAvon Championships CircuitCarpet (i) – $125,000 – 32S/16D Tracy Austin6–3, 6–2 Martina Navratilova Dianne Fromholtz Ilana Kloss Ann Kiyomura Pam Teeguarden Anne Smith Pam Shriver Mima Jaušovec Virginia Ruzici 4–6, 6–2, 6–4 Renée Richards Sharon Walsh8 JanAvon Championships of California Oakland, United StatesAvon Championships CircuitCarpet (i) – $125,000 – 32S/16D Martina Navratilova7–5, 7–5 Chris Evert Ann Kiyomura Dianne Fromholtz Kathy May Mima Jaušovec Virginia Ruzici Marita Redondo Chris Evert Rosie Casals3–6, 6–4, 6–3 Tracy Austin Betty Stöve15 JanAvon Championships of Houston Houston, United StatesAvon Championships CircuitCarpet (i) – $125,000 – 32S/16D Martina Navratilova 6–3, 6–2 Virginia Wade Dianne Fromholtz Wendy Turnbull Virginia Ruzici Stacy Margolin Rosie Casals Kathy Jordan Martina Navratilova Janet Newberry 4–6, 6–4, 6–2 Pam Shriver Betty Stöve22 JanAvon Championships of Florida Hollywood, United StatesAvon Championships CircuitHard – $150,000 – 32S/16D Greer Stevens6–4, 2–6, 6–4 Dianne Fromholtz Marise Kruger Virginia Wade Carrie Meyer Terry Holladay Sue Barker Virginia Ruzici Tracy Austin Betty Stöve 6–2, 2–6, 6–2 Rosie Casals Wendy Turnbull29 JanAvon Championships of Chicago Chicago, United StatesAvon Championships CircuitCarpet (i) – $200,000 – 32S/16D Martina Navratilova6–3, 6–4 Tracy Austin Kerry Reid Greer Stevens Anne Smith Marise Kruger Mima Jaušovec Sue Barker Rosie Casals Betty-Ann Stuart 3–6, 7–5, 7–5 Ilana Kloss Greer Stevens
February WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists5 FebAvon Championships of Seattle Seattle, United StatesAvon Championships CircuitCarpet (i) – $125,000 – 32S/15D Chris Evert6–1, 3–6, 6–1 Renée Richards Kerry Reid Jeanne DuVall Kathy Jordan Wendy Turnbull Virginia Ruzici Betty Stöve Françoise Dürr Betty Stöve 7–6(7–4), 4–6, 6–4 Sue Barker Ann Kiyomura12 FebAvon Championships of Los Angeles Los Angeles, United StatesAvon Championships CircuitCarpet (i) – $150,000 – 32S/16D Chris Evert6–3, 6–4 Martina Navratilova Tracy Austin Greer Stevens Barbara Potter Ann Kiyomura Wendy Turnbull Virginia Ruzici Rosie Casals Chris Evert 6–4, 1–6, 6–3 Martina Navratilova Anne Smith19 FebAvon Championships of Detroit Detroit, United StatesAvon Championships CircuitCarpet (i) – $150,000 – 32S/16D Wendy Turnbull7–5, 1–6, 7–6(7–4) Virginia Ruzici Martina Navratilova Rosie Casals Anne Smith Mima Jaušovec Ann Kiyomura Dianne Fromholtz Wendy Turnbull Betty Stöve6–4, 7–6(7–5) Sue Barker Ann Kiyomura26 FebAvon Championships of Dallas Dallas, United StatesAvon Championships CircuitCarpet (i) – $200,000 – 32S/14D Martina Navratilova6–4, 6–4 Chris Evert Tracy Austin Virginia Wade Stacy Margolin Renáta Tomanová Dianne Fromholtz Sue Barker Martina Navratilova Anne Smith7–6, 6–2 Rosie Casals Chris Evert
March WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists5 MarAvon Championships of Philadelphia Philadelphia, United StatesAvon Championships CircuitCarpet (i) – $125,000 – 32S/16D Wendy Turnbull5–7, 6–3, 6–2 Virginia Wade Rosie Casals Sue Barker Terry Holladay Pam Shriver Greer Stevens Kathy Teacher Françoise Dürr Betty Stöve6–4, 6–2 Renée Richards Virginia Wade12 MarAvon Championships of Boston Boston, United StatesAvon Championships CircuitCarpet (i) – $150,000 – 34S/16D Dianne Fromholtz6–2, 7–6(7–4) Sue Barker Virginia Wade Wendy Turnbull Chris Evert Greer Stevens Kerry Reid Marita Redondo Kerry Reid Wendy Turnbull6–4, 6–2 Sue Barker Ann Kiyomura19 MarAvon Championships New York City, United StatesSeason-end championshipsCarpet (i) – $275,000 – 8S/4D Martina Navratilova 6–3, 3–6, 6–2 Tracy Austin Sue Barker Dianne Fromholtz Round robin Greer Stevens Virginia Wade Wendy Turnbull Chris Evert Françoise Dürr Betty Stöve7–6(7–1), 7–6(7–3) Sue Barker Ann Kiyomura
April WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists2 Apr Bridgestone Doubles Championships Tokyo, JapanCarpet (i) – $150,000 – 8D Françoise Dürr Betty Stöve 7–5, 7–6(9–7) Sue Barker Ann Kiyomura Melville / Turnbull Hunt / Walsh Acker / Carillo Wade / Newberry Casals / Smith Meyer / Teeguarden9 AprFamily Circle Cup Amelia Island, United StatesColgate Series (AAAA)Clay – $150,000 – 30S/16D Tracy Austin7–6(7–3), 7–6(9–7) Kerry Reid Martina Navratilova Evonne Goolagong Cawley Mima Jaušovec Lele Forood Betty Stöve Laura duPont Rosie Casals Martina Navratilova6–4, 7–5 Françoise Dürr Betty Stöve30 AprFederation Cup Madrid, SpainClay – 32 teams knockout3–0
May WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists7 MayItalian Open Rome, ItalyColgate Series (AAA)Clay – $100,000 Tracy Austin6–4, 1–6, 6–3 Sylvia Hanika Chris Evert Evonne Goolagong Cawley Ivanna Madruga Virginia Ruzici Dianne Fromholtz Iris Riedel-Kuhn Wendy Turnbull Betty Stöve6–3, 6–4 Evonne Goolagong Cawley Kerry Reid14 MayBancroft Trophy Vienna, AustriaColgate Series (AA)Carpet (i) – $75,000 Chris Evert6–1, 6–1 Caroline Stoll Regina Maršíková Virginia Ruzici Yvonne Vermaak Kerry Reid Wendy Turnbull Dianne Fromholtz Marise Kruger Dianne Fromholtz3–6, 6–4, 6–1 Ilana Kloss Betty-Ann Stuart21 MayGerman Open West Berlin, West GermanyColgate Series (AAA)Clay – $100,000 – 32S/16D Caroline Stoll7–6(7–4), 6–0 Regina Maršíková Virginia Ruzici Evonne Goolagong Cawley Mima Jaušovec Sylvia Hanika Renáta Tomanová Kerry Reid Rosie Casals Wendy Turnbull6–2, 7–5 Evonne Goolagong Cawley Kerry Reid28 May4 JunFrench Open Paris, FranceGrand SlamClay – $375,000 – 64S/64Q/32D/28X Singles – Doubles – Mixed doubles Chris Evert 6–2, 6–0 Wendy Turnbull Dianne Fromholtz Regina Maršíková Ruta Gerulaitis Virginia Ruzici Hana Mandlíková Renáta Tomanová Betty Stöve Wendy Turnbull3–6, 7–5, 6–4 Françoise Dürr Virginia Wade Wendy Turnbull Bob Hewitt6–3, 2–6, 6–3 Virginia Ruzici Ion Țiriac
June WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists11 JunCrossley Carpets Trophy Chichester, Great BritainColgate Series (AA)Grass – $35,000 – 32S/16D Evonne Goolagong Cawley6–1, 6–4 Sue Barker Billie Jean King Tanya Harford Martina Navratilova Pam Teeguarden Kate Latham Pam Shriver Greer Stevens Wendy Turnbull6–3, 1–6, 7–5 Billie Jean King Martina Navratilova18 JunColgate International Eastbourne, Great BritainColgate Series (AAA)Grass – $100,000 – 64S/32D Chris Evert7–5, 5–7, 13–11 Martina Navratilova Tracy Austin Virginia Wade Wendy Turnbull Ilana Kloss Bettina Bunge Kerry Reid Betty Stöve Wendy Turnbull 6–2, 6–2 Ilana Kloss Betty-Ann Stuart25 Jun2 JulyWimbledon Championships London, Great BritainGrand SlamGrass – 96S/48D/48XDraws: Singles – Doubles – Mixed doubles Martina Navratilova6–4, 6–4 Chris Evert Tracy Austin Evonne Goolagong Cawley Dianne Fromholtz Billie Jean King Virginia Wade Wendy Turnbull Billie Jean King Martina Navratilova 5–7, 6–3, 6–2 Betty Stöve Wendy Turnbull Greer Stevens Bob Hewitt 7–5, 7–6(9–7) Betty Stöve Frew McMillan
July WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists16 JulAustrian Open Kitzbühel, AustriaColgate SeriesClay – $35,000 – 32S/16D Hana Mandlíková2–6, 7–5, 6–3 Sylvia Hanika Helena Anliot Dianne Evers6–0, 6–4 Virginia Ruzici Elly Vessies30 JulWells Fargo Open San Diego, United StatesColgate Series (AA)Hard – $75,000 – 32S/16D Tracy Austin6–4, 6–2 Martina Navratilova Virginia Wade Kathy Jordan Anne Smith Kerry Reid Marita Redondo Ann Kiyomura Rosie Casals Martina Navratilova3–6, 6–4, 6–2 Ann Kiyomura Betty-Ann Stuart
August WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists6 AugU.S. Clay Court Championships Indianapolis, United StatesColgate Series (AAA)Clay – $100,000 – 48S/24DSingles – Doubles Chris Evert6–4, 6–3 Evonne Goolagong Cawley Renée Richards Regina Maršíková Mima Jaušovec Virginia Ruzici Anne Smith Jeanne DuVall Kathy Jordan Anne Smith6–1, 6–0 Penny Johnson Paula Smith13 AugRothmans Canadian Open Toronto, CanadaColgate Series (A)Hard – $35,000 Laura duPont6–4, 6–7(3–7), 6–1 Brigitte Cuypers Diane Desfor Pam Teeguarden Chris O'Neil Lea Antonoplis Kay McDaniel Mary Carillo Lea Antonoplis Dianne Evers2–6, 6–1, 6–3 Chris O'Neil Mimmi WikstedtCentral Fidelity Banks International Richmond, United StatesColgate Series (AAA)Carpet (i) – $100,000 – 32S/16D Martina Navratilova6–1, 6–3 Kathy Jordan Wendy Turnbull Virginia Wade Anne Smith Kerry Reid Kate Latham Greer Stevens Betty Stöve Wendy Turnbull 6–1, 6–4 Billie Jean King Martina Navratilova20 AugVolvo Tennis Cup Mahwah, United StatesColgate Series (AAA)Clay – $75,000 – 32S/16D Chris Evert6–7(2–7), 6–4, 6–1 Tracy Austin Betty Stöve Virginia Ruzici Sue Barker Ivanna Madruga Terry Holladay Regina Maršíková Tracy Austin Betty Stöve 7–6(7–4), 2–6, 6–4 Mima Jaušovec Regina Maršíková27 Aug3 SepUS Open New York City, United StatesGrand Slam (AAAA)Hard – $300,000 – 96S/32D/32XDraw: Singles – Doubles – Mixed doubles Tracy Austin6–3, 6–4 Chris Evert Billie Jean King Martina Navratilova Evonne Goolagong Cawley Virginia Wade Sylvia Hanika Kerry Reid Betty Stöve Wendy Turnbull7–5, 6–3 Billie Jean King Martina Navratilova Greer Stevens Bob Hewitt6–3, 7–5 Betty Stöve Frew McMillan
September