The Florida Pro Championships was a professional tennis tournament first held in 1932. The tournament was part of Pro Tennis Tour from inception. It was played in various locations in Florida, United States until 1972.
History The Florida Professional Championships were first held in February 1932 in Miami Beach, Florida. The inaugural winner of this Round Robin Event was German player Hans Nüsslein who won 3 out 3 matches, American player Bill Tilden was placed second with a 2-1 match record. The tournament was not held on a semi permanent basis, until the early 1960s. The event was held in various locations including Daytona Beach, Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, Miami Beach. From 1961 it was mainly held in Hollywood, Florida. The 1972 the final edition was held in Marco Island, when it was branded as the Florida Professional Men's Tennis Championship.
Finals YearLocationsChampionsRunners-upScore1932Miami Beach Hans Nüsslein (1st) Bill Tilden (2nd)Round Robin.1934Miami Hans Nüsslein Karel Koželuh6–1, 6–4, 10–8.1935Miami Hans Nüsslein Karel Koželuh3–6, 6–3, 6–1, 6–1.1942Daytona Beach Wayne Sabin Dick Skeen 3–6, 6–3, 6–3, 6–0.1953Ft. Lauderdale Bobby Riggs Frank Kovacs7–5, 6–4.1954Ft. Lauderdale Frank Kovacs Bobby Riggs7–5, 2–6, 6–4.1961Hollywood Allen Quay Jerry Dewitt's6–3, 7–5.1962Hollywood Earl Baumgardner Armando Vieira8–10, 6–4, 6–4 ret.1963Hollywood Sam Giammalva Allen Quay6–3, 4–6, 6–4. 1964Hollywood Pancho Gonzales Bernard Bartzen6–4, 8–6.1966Hollywood Pancho Gonzales Warren Woodcock6–2, 6–0.1972Marco Island William Higgins Tom Mozur6–1 6–1.
Event names Florida Professional Championships (1932) Florida Pro Championships (1934-1935, 1942, 1961–1966)McCauley, Joe (2003) Florida Pro Tennis Championships (1953-1954) Florida Professional Men's Tennis Championship (1972)The Tampa Times
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