1975 World Championship Tennis circuit

1975 World Championship Tennis circuit

Ashe left with President Reagan in July 1982
Details
Duration	20 January 1975 – 7 May 1975
Edition	8th
Tournaments	26
Achievements (singles)
Most titles	Arthur Ashe (5)
Most finals	Arthur Ashe (7)
Points leader	Arthur Ashe (760)
← 1974 1976 →

The 1975 World Championship Tennis circuit was one of the two rival professional male tennis circuits of 1975. It was organized by World Championship Tennis (WCT). The 1975 circuit divided the players in three groups, Red, Blue and Green who played 24 tournaments in 12 countries. The first tournament, U.S. Professional Indoor Championships, was a combined event as was the season's final which was played in Dallas by the eight best performers and was won by American Arthur Ashe who defeated Björn Borg from Sweden in four sets.^[1]

Additionally there were three special non–ranking events; the CBS Classic (Puerto Rico, 13–19 January), the Aetna World Cup team contest between Australia and America (Hartford, 6–9 March) and the Rothmans International Trophy an eight-nation contest between 16 players (London, 4–8 March).

The total prize money for the 1975 WCT circuit was $2,068,500 which included $100,000 bonus money.^[1]

Overview

Week	Tournament	Location	Champions	Runners-up	Score
20 Jan	U.S. Pro Indoor	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.	Marty Riessen	Vitas Gerulaitis	7–6^(7–1), 5–7, 6–2, 6–7^(0–7), 6–3
27 Jan	Fidelity Tournament	Richmond, Virginia, U.S.	Björn Borg	Arthur Ashe	4–6, 6–4, 6–4
3 Feb	St. Petersburg WCT	St. Petersburg, Florida, U.S.	Raúl Ramírez	Roscoe Tanner	6–0, 1–6, 6–2
6 Feb	WCT International	Bologna, Italy	Björn Borg	Arthur Ashe	7–6^(7–4), 4–6, 7–6^(7–4)
10 Feb	Rothmans Toronto WCT	Toronto, Canada	Harold Solomon	Stan Smith	6–4, 6–1
17 Feb	Fort Worth WCT	Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.	John Alexander	Dick Stockton	7–6, 4–6, 6–3
17 Feb	La Costa WCT	La Costa, California, U.S.	Rod Laver	Allan Stone	6–2, 6–2
17 Feb	Barcelona WCT	Barcelona, Spain	Arthur Ashe	Björn Borg	7–6, 6–3
23 Feb	San Antonio WCT	San Antonio, Texas, U.S.	Dick Stockton	Stan Smith	7–5, 2–6, 7–6
25 Feb	Rotterdam WTT	Rotterdam, Netherlands	Arthur Ashe	Tom Okker	3–6, 6–2, 6–4
10 Mar	Washington WCT	Washington, D.C., U.S.	Mark Cox	Dick Stockton	6–2, 7–6
10 Mar	São Paulo WCT	São Paulo, Brazil	Rod Laver	Charlie Pasarell	6–4, 6–4
10 Mar	Munich WCT	Munich, West Germany	Arthur Ashe	Björn Borg	6–4, 7–6
17 Mar	Memphis WCT	Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.	Harold Solomon	Jiří Hřebec	2–6, 6–1, 6–4
17 Mar	Caracas WCT	Caracas, Venezuela	Rod Laver	Raúl Ramírez	7–6, 6–2
23 Mar	Monte Carlo WCT	Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, France	Manuel Orantes	Bob Hewitt	6–2, 6–4
24 Mar	Atlanta WCT	Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.	Mark Cox	John Alexander	6–3, 7–6
24 Mar	Orlando WCT	Orlando, Florida, U.S.	Rod Laver	Vitas Gerulaitis	6–3, 6–4
7 Apr	St. Louis WCT	St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.	Vitas Gerulaitis	Roscoe Tanner	2–6, 6–2, 6–3
11 Apr	Johannesburg WCT	Johannesburg, South Africa	Buster Mottram	Tom Okker	6–4, 6–2
14 Apr	Tokyo WCT	Tokyo, Japan	Bob Lutz	Stan Smith	6–4, 6–4
14 Apr	Denver WCT	Denver, Colorado, U.S.	Jimmy Connors	Brian Gottfried	6–3, 6–4
21 Apr	Houston	Houston, Texas, U.S.	Ken Rosewall	Cliff Drysdale	6–3, 3–6, 6–1
21 Apr	Charlotte WCT	Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S.	Raúl Ramírez	Roscoe Tanner	3–6, 6–4, 6–3
21 Apr	Stockholm WCT	Stockholm, Sweden	Arthur Ashe	Tom Okker	6–4, 6–2
7 May	Dallas WCT Finals	Dallas, Texas, U.S.	Arthur Ashe	Björn Borg	3–6, 6–4, 6–4, 6–0

Schedule

This is the complete schedule of events on the 1975 WCT circuit, with player progression documented until the quarterfinals stage.^[2]

January

Week	Tournament	Champions	Runners-up	Semifinalists	Quarterfinalists
20 Jan	U.S. Pro IndoorPhiladelphia, United StatesCarpet (i) – $115,000 – 128S/64D Singles – Doubles	Marty Riessen7–6^(7–1), 5–7, 6–2, 6–7^(0–7), 6–3	Vitas Gerulaitis	Jaime FillolJohn Alexander	Tony RochePaul GerkenArthur AsheCliff Richey
		Brian GottfriedRaúl Ramírez3–6, 6–3, 7–6^(7–4)	Dick StocktonErik van Dillen
27 Jan	Fidelity TournamentRichmond, United States Green group Carpet (i) – $60,000 – 32S/16D Singles – Doubles	Björn Borg4–6, 6–4, 6–4	Arthur Ashe	Kim WarwickTom Okker	Jeff BorowiakAdriano PanattaOnny ParunBob Giltinan
		Fred McNairHans Kary7–6^(8–6), 5–7, 7–6^(8–6)	Paolo BertolucciAdriano Panatta

February

Week	Tournament	Champions	Runners-up	Semifinalists	Quarterfinalists
3 Feb	Havatampa–Raymond James Classic St. Petersburg, United StatesHard – $60,000 – 32S/16D Blue group	Raúl Ramírez6–0, 1–6, 6–2	Roscoe Tanner	Rod LaverGeoff Masters	Jaime FillolSandy MayerBrian GottfriedAndrew Pattison
		Brian GottfriedRaúl Ramírez6–4, 6–4	Charlie PasarellRoscoe Tanner
6 Feb	WCT InternationalBologna, Italy Carpet (i) – $60,000 – 32S/16D Green group Singles – Doubles	Björn Borg7–6^(7–4), 4–6, 7–6^(7–4)	Arthur Ashe	Tom OkkerBob Hewitt	Niki PilićOnny ParunBob GiltinanAdriano Panatta
		Paolo BertolucciAdriano Panatta6–3, 3–6, 6–3	Arthur AsheTom Okker
10 Feb	Rothmans Toronto WCT Toronto, Canada Carpet (i) – $60,000 – 32S/16D Red group	Harold Solomon6–4, 6–1	Stan Smith	Erik van DillenMarty Riessen	Paul GerkenCliff RicheyBob LutzPhil Dent
		Dick StocktonErik van Dillen6–4, 7–5, 6–1	Vijay AmritrajAshok Amritraj
17 Feb	Fort Worth WCTFort Worth, United States Hard – $60,000 – 32S/16D Red group	John Alexander7–6^(7–2), 4–6, 6–3	Dick Stockton	Cliff DrysdaleVijay Amritraj	Harold SolomonMark CoxJiří HřebecMilan Holeček
		Bob LutzStan Smith6–7, 7–6, 6–3	John AlexanderPhil Dent
17 Feb	Carlsbad WCTCarlsbad, United States Hard – $60,000 – 32S/16D Blue group	Rod Laver6–2, 6–2	Allan Stone	Roscoe TannerAlex Metreveli	Ismail El ShafeiRoss CaseGeoff MastersRaymond Moore
		Brian GottfriedRaúl Ramírez7–5, 6–4	Charlie PasarellRoscoe Tanner
17 Feb	Barcelona WCTBarcelona, Spain Carpet (i) – $60,000 – 32S/16D Green group	Arthur Ashe7–6, 6–3	Björn Borg	Onny ParunJosé Higueras	Steve KrulevitzBob HewittKjell JohanssonKevin Warwick
		Arthur AsheTom Okker7–5, 6–1	Paolo BertolucciAdriano Panatta
23 Feb	San Antonio WCT San Antonio, United States Hard – $60,000 – 32S/16D Red group	Dick Stockton7–5, 2–6, 7–6	Stan Smith	John AlexanderBob Lutz	Paul GerkenMike EstepMarty RiessenPhil Dent
		John AlexanderPhil Dent7–6, 4–6, 6–4	Mark CoxCliff Drysdale
24 Feb	Rotterdam WTTRotterdam, Netherlands Carpet (i) – $60,000 – 32S/16D Green group Singles – Doubles	Arthur Ashe3–6, 6–2, 6–4	Tom Okker	Patrice DominguezBjörn Borg	Bob HewittSteve KrulevitzKevin WarwickFrew McMillan
		Bob HewittFrew McMillan6–2, 6–2	José HiguerasBalázs Taróczy

March

Week	Tournament	Champions	Runners-up	Semifinalists	Quarterfinalists
10 Mar	Xerox Tennis ClassicWashington, D.C., United StatesHard – $60,000 – 32S/16D Red group	Mark Cox6–2, 7–6	Dick Stockton	Stan SmithHaroon Rahim	John AlexanderBob LutzPhil DentEddie Dibbs
		Mike EstepJeff Simpson7–6, 6–3	Vijay AmritrajAshok Amritraj
10 Mar	São Paulo WCTSão Paulo, BrazilCarpet (i) – $60,000 – 32S/16D Blue group	Rod Laver6–4, 6–4	Charlie Pasarell	Thomas KochRoscoe Tanner	Vitas GerulaitisAlex MetreveliRay RuffelsBrian Fairlie
		Ross CaseGeoff Masters6–7, 7–6, 7–6	Brian GottfriedRaúl Ramírez
10 Mar	Munich WCTMunich, West GermanyCarpet (i) – $60,000 – 32S/16D Green group Singles	Arthur Ashe6–4, 7–6	Björn Borg	Niki PilićBuster Mottram	Kjell JohanssonBalázs TaróczyCorrado BarazzuttiBob Hewitt
		Bob HewittFrew McMillan6–3, 6–4	Corrado BarazzuttiAntonio Zugarelli
17 Mar	Memphis WCT Memphis, United StatesCarpet (i) – $60,000 – 32S/16D Red group	Harold Solomon2–6, 6–1, 6–4	Jiří Hřebec	John AlexanderMark Cox	Cliff RicheyVijay AmritrajBob LutzPhil Dent
		Dick StocktonErik van Dillen1–6, 7–5, 6–4	Mark CoxCliff Drysdale
17 Mar	Caracas WCT Caracas, VenezuelaHard – $60,000 – 32S/16D Blue group	Rod Laver7–6, 6–2	Raúl Ramírez	Jeff BorowiakRoscoe Tanner	Ismail El ShafeiAllan StoneRaymond MooreRoy Emerson
		Ross CaseGeoff Masters7–5, 4–6, 6–2	Brian GottfriedRaúl Ramírez
23 Mar	Monte Carlo WCTMonte Carlo, MonacoClay – $60,000 – 32S/16D Green group	Manuel Orantes6–2, 6–4	Bob Hewitt	José HiguerasJohn Lloyd	Dick CrealyAdriano PanattaBuster MottramBjörn Borg
		Bob HewittFrew McMillan6–3, 6–2	Arthur AsheTom Okker
24 Mar	First National Bank ClassicAtlanta, United StatesCarpet (i) – $60,000 – 32S/16D Red group	Mark Cox6–3, 7–6^(7–3)	John Alexander	Cliff RicheyHarold Solomon	Stan SmithPhil DentDick StocktonMilan Holeček
		Vijay AmritrajAshok Amritraj6–3, 6–2	Mark CoxCliff Drysdale
24 Mar	Orlando WCT Orlando, United StatesHard – $60,000 – 32S/16D Blue group	Rod Laver6–3, 6–4	Vitas Gerulaitis	Brian GottfriedAndrew Pattison	Jeff BorowiakRoscoe TannerRaúl RamírezAllan Stone
		Brian GottfriedRaúl Ramírez6–4, 6–4	Colin DibleyRay Ruffels

April

Week	Tournament	Champions	Runners-up	Semifinalists	Quarterfinalists
7 Apr	St. Louis Tennis ClassicSt. Louis, United StatesCarpet (i) – $60,000 – 32S/16D Blue group	Vitas Gerulaitis2–6, 6–2, 6–3	Roscoe Tanner	Rod LaverBrian Gottfried	Jeff BorowiakBrian FairlieJaime FillolRaúl Ramírez
		Colin DibleyRay Ruffels6–4, 6–4	Ross CaseGeoff Masters
11 Apr	Johannesburg WCT Johannesburg, South Africa Hard – $60,000 – 32S/16D Green group	Buster Mottram6–4, 6–2	Tom Okker	Björn BorgFrew McMillan	Bob HewittOnny ParunKevin WarwickArthur Ashe
		Arthur AsheTom Okker6–3, 6–2	Bob HewittFrew McMillan
14 Apr	Tokyo WCT Tokyo, Japan Carpet (i) – $60,000 – 32S/16D Red group	Bob Lutz6–4, 6–4	Stan Smith	John AlexanderMark Cox	Harold SolomonDick StocktonCliff DrysdaleMarty Riessen
		Bob LutzStan Smith6–4, 6–7^(6–8), 6–2	John AlexanderPhil Dent
14 Apr	Denver WCTDenver, United States Carpet (i) – $60,000 – 32S/16D Blue group	Jimmy Connors6–3, 6–4	Brian Gottfried	Sandy MayerIsmail El Shafei	Thomas KochRaúl RamírezVitas GerulaitisJaime Fillol
		Roy EmersonRod Laver6–2, 3–6, 7–5	Bob CarmichaelAllan Stone
21 Apr	Houston WCT Houston, United States Clay – $60,000 – 32S/16D Red group	Ken Rosewall6–3, 3–6, 6–1	Cliff Drysdale	Harold SolomonVijay Amritraj	John AlexanderPhil DentBob LutzEddie Dibbs
		Bob LutzStan Smith7–5, 7–6	Mike EstepRussell Simpson
21 Apr	Charlotte WCTCharlotte, United States Clay – $60,000 – 32S/16D Blue group	Raúl Ramírez3–6, 6–4, 6–3	Roscoe Tanner	Rod LaverAndrew Pattison	Iván MolinaJaime FillolBrian FairlieBrian Gottfried
		Patricio CornejoJaime Fillol6–3, 5–7, 6–4	Ismail El ShafeiBrian Fairlie
21 Apr	Stockholm WCT Stockholm, Sweden Carpet (i) – $60,000 – 32S/16D Green group	Arthur Ashe6–4, 6–2	Tom Okker	Onny ParunFred McNair	Buster MottramJosé HiguerasCorrado BarazzuttiTenny Svensson
		Arthur AsheTom Okker6–3, 7–6	Patrice DominguezKevin Warwick

May

Week	Tournament	Champions	Runners-up	Semifinalists	Quarterfinalists
7 May	WCT FinalsDallas, United StatesWCT FinalsCarpet – $100,000 – 8SSingles	Arthur Ashe3–6, 6–4, 6–4, 6–0	Björn Borg	John AlexanderRod Laver	Mark CoxRaúl RamírezRoscoe TannerHarold Solomon

Standings

Blue group

Player	Tournaments played	Tournaments won	Matches won	Matches lost	Points	Prize money
Rod Laver^*	9	4	30	5	700	$109,731
Roscoe Tanner^*	9	0	25	9	590	$52,962
Raúl Ramírez^*	9	2	22	7	550	$86,680
Brian Gottfried	9	0	19	9	450	$68,300
Vitas Gerulaitis	6	1	19	5	420	$40,300
Jaime Fillol	9	0	14	9	390	$22,200
Allan Stone	9	0	10	9	350	$19,000
Andrew Pattison	9	0	11	9	420	$26,328
Jeff Borowiak	9	0	11	9	330	$22,610
Ismail El Shafei	9	0	11	9	330	$15,600

Green group

Player	Tournaments played	Tournaments won	Matches won	Matches lost	Points	Prize money
Arthur Ashe^*	9	4	35	5	760	$177,161
Björn Borg^*	9	2	27	7	640	$78,140
Tom Okker	8	0	19	8	470	$41,292
Buster Mottram	9	1	15	8	400	$27,250
Bob Hewitt	8	0	15	8	395	$33,370
Onny Parun	8	0	13	8	350	$18,250
Kim Warwick	8	0	12	8	340	$18,700
José Higueras	9	0	9	9	330	$16,750
Patrice Dominguez	9	0	9	9	290	$13,350
Bob Giltinan	9	0	8	9	280	$11,930

Red group

Player	Tournaments played	Tournaments won	Matches won	Matches lost	Points	Prize money
John Alexander^*	9	1	26	8	610	$94,075
Harold Solomon^*	9	2	22	7	540	$46,950
Mark Cox^*	9	2	22	7	520	$75,822
Stan Smith	9	0	19	9	500	$46,189
Dick Stockton	9	1	19	8	490	$60,275
Bob Lutz	9	1	19	7	470	$41,647
Phil Dent	9	0	14	9	390	$25,200
Cliff Drysdale	9	0	14	9	390	$40,408
Vijay Amritraj	9	0	11	9	350	$25,750
Marty Riessen	9	0	8	9	350	$42,259

^* Qualified for the WCT Finals. The best two players from each group qualified plus the next two players with the highest points total.

See also

• 1975 Grand Prix circuit
• 1975 USLTA-IPA Indoor Circuit

References

1. John Barrett, ed. (1977). World of Tennis '76. London: Queen Anne Press. pp. 141–152. ISBN 0362002754.
2. "1975 Grand Prix and WCT circuits calendar". Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP).

External links

• ATP 1975 results archive