1978 WTA Tour

The 1978 WTA Tour consisted of a number of tennis tournaments for female tennis players. It was composed of the newly streamlined version of the Virginia Slims Circuit (which was now an 11-week tour of the US) and the Colgate Series.[1][2] The tour was administered by the Women's International Professional Tennis Council.

1978 WTA Tour
Details
Duration14 November 1977 – 18 December 1978
Edition6th
Tournaments47
CategoriesGrand Slam (4)
WTA Championships (3)
Virginia Slims Circuit (11)
Colgate International Series (23)
Non-tour events (4)
Achievements (singles)
Most tournament titlesUnited States Martina Navratilova (11)
Most tournament finalsUnited States Martina Navratilova (15)
Prize money leaderUnited States Chris Evert ($454,486)
Points leaderUnited States Martina Navratilova (15.660)
Awards
Player of the yearUnited States Martina Navratilova
Doubles team of the yearUnited States Billie Jean King
United States Martina Navratilova
Most improved
player of the year
Romania Virginia Ruzici
Newcomer of the yearUnited States Pam Shriver
1977
1979

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.[1]

Key
Grand Slam tournaments
Virginia Slims/Colgate Series championships
Virginia Slims Circuit
Colgate International Series
Non-tour events
Team events

November (1977)

Week Tournament Champions Runners-up Semifinalists Quarterfinalists
14 NovColgate International of Australia
Sydney, Australia
Colgate Series (AAAA)
$100,000 – grass
SinglesDoubles
Australia Evonne Goolagong Cawley
6–1, 6–3
Australia Kerry ReidAustralia Dianne Fromholtz
South Africa Greer Stevens
United States Terry Holladay
United States Pam Teeguarden
United States Jeanne Evert
Netherlands Betty Stöve
Australia Kerry Reid / South Africa Greer Stevens
vs.
Australia Evonne Goolagong Cawley / Netherlands Betty Stöve
Cancelled
21 NovToyota Classic
Melbourne, Australia
Colgate Series (AA)
$75,000 – grass
SinglesDoubles
Australia Evonne Goolagong Cawley
6–4, 6–1
Australia Wendy TurnbullUnited Kingdom Sue Barker
Netherlands Betty Stöve
Australia Pam Whytcross
Australia Kerry Melville
Australia Dianne Fromholtz
Australia Helen Gourlay Cawley
Australia Evonne Goolagong Cawley
Netherlands Betty Stöve
6–3, 6–0
United States Patricia Bostrom
Australia Kym Ruddell
28 NovrSouth African Open
Johannesburg, South Africa
Colgate Series (A)
$35,000 – hard
SinglesDoubles
South Africa Linky Boshoff
6–4, 6–1
South Africa Brigitte CuypersSouth Africa Yvonne Vermaak
United States Sharon Walsh
South Africa Niekle Scheepers
United States Jeanne Evert
South Africa Marise Kruger
South Africa Alison McDade
South Africa Linky Boshoff
South Africa Ilana Kloss
5–7, 6–3, 6–3
South Africa Brigitte Cuypers
South Africa Marise Kruger

December (1977)

Week Tournament Champions Runners-up Semifinalists Quarterfinalists
5 DecBremar Cup
London, Great Britain
Colgate Series (A)
$35,000 – hard
SinglesDoubles
United States Billie Jean King
6–3, 6–1
United Kingdom Virginia WadeNetherlands Betty Stöve
Romania Virginia Ruzici
South Africa Tanya Harford
United States Sharon Walsh
Romania Florența Mihai
Czechoslovakia Renáta Tomanová
United States Billie Jean King
Czechoslovakia Renáta Tomanová
6–2, 6–3
Netherlands Betty Stöve
United Kingdom Virginia Wade
12 DecMarlboro NSW Open
Sydney, Australia
Colgate Series (A)
$35,000 – grass
SinglesDoubles
Australia Evonne Goolagong Cawley
6–2, 6–3
United Kingdom Sue BarkerAustralia Kerry Reid
Czechoslovakia Regina Maršíková
Australia Evonne Goolagong Cawley
Australia Helen Gourlay Cawley
6–0, 6–0
United States Mona Guerrant
Australia Kerry Reid
19 Dec
26 Dec
Australian Open
Melbourne, Australia
Grand Slam (A)
Grass – 32S/16D
SinglesDoubles
Australia Evonne Goolagong Cawley
6–3, 6–0
Australia Helen Gourlay CawleyAustralia Kerry Reid
United Kingdom Sue Barker
Australia Judy Dalton
Australia Kathleen Harter
United States Mona Guerrant
United States Rayni Fox
Australia Evonne Goolagong Cawley / Australia Helen Gourlay Cawley
vs.
United States Mona Guerrant / Australia Kerry Reid
Cancelled due to Rain

January

Week Tournament Champions Runners-up Semifinalists Quarterfinalists
2 JanVirginia Slims of Washington
Washington, United States
Virginia Slims
Carpet (i) – $100,000 – 32S/16D
SinglesDoubles
United States Martina Navratilova
7–5, 6–4
Netherlands Betty StöveAustralia Dianne Fromholtz
United States JoAnne Russell
South Africa Greer Stevens
United States Kathy May
Romania Virginia Ruzici
United States Nancy Richey
United States Billie Jean King
United States Martina Navratilova
6–3, 7–5
Netherlands Betty Stöve
Australia Wendy Turnbull
9 JanVirginia Slims of Hollywood
Hollywood, United States
Virginia Slims
Carpet (i) – $100,000 – 32S/16D
SinglesDoubles
Australia Evonne Goolagong Cawley
6–2, 6–3
Australia Wendy TurnbullNetherlands Betty Stöve
United Kingdom Virginia Wade
United States Tracy Austin
United States Marita Redondo
United States Nancy Richey
United States Kathy Teacher
United States Rosie Casals
Australia Wendy Turnbull
6–2, 6–4
France Françoise Dürr
United Kingdom Virginia Wade
16 JanVirginia Slims of Houston
Houston, United States
Virginia Slims
Carpet (i) – $100,000 – 32S/16D
SinglesDoubles
United States Martina Navratilova
1–6, 6–2, 6–2
United States Billie Jean KingNetherlands Betty Stöve
United Kingdom Virginia Wade
South Africa Yvonne Vermaak
United Kingdom Sue Barker
United States Rosie Casals
Australia Wendy Turnbull
United States Billie Jean King
United States Martina Navratilova
7–6(5–4), 4–6, 7–6(5–4)
South Africa Greer Stevens
United States Mona Guerrant
23 JanVirginia Slims of Los Angeles
Los Angeles, United States
Virginia Slims
Carpet (i) – $100,000 – 32S/16D
SinglesDoubles
United States Martina Navratilova
6–3, 6–2
United States Rosie CasalsSouth Africa Marise Kruger
South Africa Greer Stevens
South Africa Yvonne Vermaak
United Kingdom Sue Barker
United Kingdom Virginia Wade
United States Tracy Austin
Netherlands Betty Stöve
United Kingdom Virginia Wade
6–3, 6–2
United States Pam Teeguarden
South Africa Greer Stevens
30 JanVirginia Slims of Chicago
Chicago, United States
Virginia Slims
Carpet (i) – $100,000 – 32S/16D
SinglesDoubles
United States Martina Navratilova
6–7(4–5), 6–2, 6–2
Australia Evonne Goolagong CawleyNetherlands Betty Stöve
United Kingdom Virginia Wade
Australia Kerry Reid
United Kingdom Sue Barker
Australia Wendy Turnbull
United States Rosie Casals
Netherlands Betty Stöve
Australia Evonne Goolagong Cawley
6–1, 6–4
United States Rosie Casals
United States JoAnne Russell

February

Week Tournament Champions Runners-up Semifinalists Quarterfinalists
6 FebVirginia Slims of Seattle
Seattle, United States
Virginia Slims
Carpet (i) – $100,000 – 32S/15D
SinglesDoubles
United States Martina Navratilova
6–1, 1–6, 6–1
Netherlands Betty StöveAustralia Wendy Turnbull
United States Marita Redondo
United States Kathy May
United States Rosie Casals
Australia Kerry Reid
United States JoAnne Russell
Australia Kerry Reid
Australia Wendy Turnbull
6–2, 6–3
United States Patricia Bostrom
United States Marita Redondo
20 FebVirginia Slims of Detroit
Detroit, United States
Virginia Slims
Carpet (i) – $100,000 – 32S/16D
SinglesDoubles
United States Martina Navratilova
6–3, 6–2
Australia Dianne FromholtzUnited Kingdom Virginia Wade
United States Billie Jean King
Australia Kerry Reid
South Africa Greer Stevens
United States Sharon Walsh
Australia Evonne Goolagong Cawley
United States Billie Jean King
United States Martina Navratilova
6–3, 6–4
Australia Kerry Melville
Australia Wendy Turnbull
27 FebVirginia Slims of Kansas
Kansas, United States
Virginia Slims
Carpet (i) – $100,000 – 34S/16D
SinglesDoubles
United States Martina Navratilova
7–5, 2–6, 6–3
United States Billie Jean KingUnited Kingdom Virginia Wade
Australia Wendy Turnbull
Australia Kerry Reid
South Africa Brigitte Cuypers
United States Rosie Casals
Australia Evonne Goolagong Cawley
United States Billie Jean King
United States Martina Navratilova
6–4, 6–4
Australia Kerry Reid
Australia Wendy Turnbull

March

Week Tournament Champions Runners-up Semifinalists Quarterfinalists
6 MarVirginia Slims of Dallas
Dallas, United States
Virginia Slims
Carpet (i) – $100,000 – 32S/14D
SinglesDoubles
Australia Evonne Goolagong Cawley
4–6, 6–0, 6–2
United States Tracy AustinUnited States Pam Shriver (3rd)
United States Anne Smith (4th)
United States Martina Navratilova
South Africa Marise Kruger
Australia Kerry Reid
United States Rosie Casals
United States Martina Navratilova
United States Anne Smith
6–3, 7–6(5–2)
Australia Evonne Goolagong Cawley
Netherlands Betty Stöve
13 MarVirginia Slims of Boston
Boston, United States
Virginia Slims
Carpet (i) – $100,000 – 33S/14D
SinglesDoubles
Australia Evonne Goolagong Cawley
4–6, 6–1, 6–4
United States Chris EvertUnited States Martina Navratilova
United States Billie Jean King
Australia Kerry Reid
South Africa Marise Kruger
United States Marita Redondo
United States Rosie Casals
United States Billie Jean King
United States Martina Navratilova
6–3, 6–2
Australia Evonne Goolagong Cawley
Netherlands Betty Stöve
20 MarVirginia Slims of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, United States
Virginia Slims
Carpet (i) – $100,000 – 32S/1D
SinglesDouble
United States Chris Evert
6–0, 6–4
United States Billie Jean KingUnited Kingdom Virginia Wade
Romania Virginia Ruzici
Australia Wendy Turnbull
United States Tracy Austin
Netherlands Betty Stöve
Australia Kerry Melville
Australia Kerry Reid
Australia Wendy Turnbull
6–3, 7–5
France Françoise Dürr
United Kingdom Virginia Wade
27 MarVirginia Slims Championships
Los Angeles, United States
Season-end championships
Carpet (i) – $150,000 – 16S (8RR)
SingleDoubles
United States Martina Navratilova'
7–6(5–0), 6–4
Australia Evonne Goolagong CawleyAustralia Wendy Turnbull
United States Rosie Casals 4th
Round robin
United Kingdom Virginia Wade
United States Billie Jean King
Netherlands Betty Stöve
Australia Kerry Reid

April

Week Tournament Champions Runners-up Semifinalists Quarterfinalists
3 AprBridgestone Doubles Championships
Salt Lake City, United States
$100,000 – Carpet (i) – 8D
Doubles
United States Martina Navratilova
United States Billie Jean King
6–4, 6–4
France Françoise Dürr
United Kingdom Virginia Wade
Netherlands Stöve / Australia Goolagong Cawley
Australia Reid / Australia Turnbull
South Africa Stevens / United States Schallau
United States Bostrom / United States Redondo
United States Casals / United States Russell
United States Kemmer / United States Newberry
10 AprFamily Circle Cup
Hilton Head Island, United States
Colgate Series (AAA)
Clay – $125,000 – 30S/16D
SinglesDoubles
United States Chris Evert
6–2, 6–0
Australia Kerry ReidUnited States JoAnne Russell
United States Tracy Austin
United States Martina Navratilova
United States Jeanne DuVall
United States Rosie Casals
United States Renée Richards
United States Billie Jean King
United States Martina Navratilova
6–3, 7–5
United States Mona Guerrant
South Africa Greer Stevens

May

Week Tournament Champions Runners-up Semifinalists Quarterfinalists
15 MayGerman Open
Hamburg, West Germany
Colgate Series (A)
$35,000 – clay – 64S/16D
SinglesDoubles
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Mima Jaušovec
6–2, 6–3
Romania Virginia RuziciCzechoslovakia Regina Maršíková
West Germany Sylvia Hanika
Czechoslovakia Renáta Tomanová
Argentina Viviana González
United States Kathy May
United States Laura duPont
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Mima Jaušovec
Romania Virginia Ruzici
6–4, 5–7, 6–0
West Germany Katja Ebbinghaus
West Germany Helga Niessen Masthoff
22 MayItalian Open
Rome, Italy
Colgate Series (A)
$35,000 – clay
SinglesDoubles
Czechoslovakia Regina Maršíková
7–5, 7–5
Romania Virginia RuziciUnited States Janet Newberry
United Kingdom Michelle Tyler
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Mima Jaušovec
United States Betsy Nagelsen
West Germany Katja Ebbinghaus
Czechoslovakia Renáta Tomanová
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Mima Jaušovec
Romania Virginia Ruzici
6–2, 2–6, 7–6
Romania Florența Mihai
United States Betsy Nagelsen
Surrey Grass Courts
Guildford, Great Britain
Non-tour event
Grass
Australia Evonne Goolagong Cawley
6–1, 6–1
United Kingdom Winnie Wooldridge
29 May
5 June
French Open
Paris, France
Grand Slam (AA)
$337,000 – Clay (red) – 64S/64Q/32D/24X
SinglesDoublesMixed doubles
Romania Virginia Ruzici
6–2, 6–2
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Mima JaušovecCzechoslovakia Regina Maršíková
France Brigitte Simon
United States Kathy May
West Germany Helga Niessen Masthoff
Czechoslovakia Mirka Bendlová
Uruguay Fiorella Bonicelli
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Mima Jaušovec
Romania Virginia Ruzici
5–7, 6–4, 8–6
Australia Lesley Turner Bowrey
France Gail Sherriff Chanfreau
Czechoslovakia Renáta Tomanová
Czechoslovakia Pavel Složil
7–6 ret
Romania Virginia Ruzici
France Patrice Dominguez

June

Week Tournament Champions Runners-up Semifinalists Quarterfinalists
5 JunKent Championships
Beckenham, Great Britain
Non-tour event
Hard
SinglesDoubles
Australia Evonne Goolagong Cawley
6–4, 6–2
United States Laura duPont
12 JunKeith Prowse International
Chichester, Great Britain
Colgate Series (A)
$35,000 – grass – 32S/16D
SinglesDoubles
Australia Evonne Goolagong Cawley
6–4, 6–4
United States Pam TeeguardenUnited States Janet Wright
United States Sharon Walsh
United States Barbara Potter
United States Diane Desfor
Australia Cynthia Doerner
United States Tracy Austin
United States Janet Wright
United States Pam Shriver
3–6, 6–3, 6–4
United Kingdom Michelle Tyler
South Africa Yvonne Vermaak
19 JunColgate International
Eastbourne, Great Britain
Colgate Series (AA)
$75,000 – grass – 64S/32D
SinglesDoubles
United States Martina Navratilova
6–4, 4–6, 9–7
United States Chris EvertAustralia Wendy Turnbull
United States Billie Jean King
United Kingdom Anne Hobbs
United Kingdom Virginia Wade
Netherlands Betty Stöve
United Kingdom Michelle Tyler
United States Chris Evert
Netherlands Betty Stöve
6–4, 6–7, 7–5
United States Billie Jean King
United States Martina Navratilova
26 Jun
3 Jul
Wimbledon Championships
London, Great Britain
Grand Slam (AAAA)
Grass – 96S/48D/64X
SinglesDoublesMixed doubles
United States Martina Navratilova
2–6, 6–4, 7–5
United States Chris EvertUnited Kingdom Virginia Wade
Australia Evonne Goolagong Cawley
United States Billie Jean King
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Mima Jaušovec
Romania Virginia Ruzici
South Africa Marise Kruger
Australia Kerry Reid
Australia Wendy Turnbull
4–6, 9–8(12–10), 6–3
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Mima Jaušovec
Romania Virginia Ruzici
Netherlands Betty Stöve
South Africa Frew McMillan
6–2, 6-2
United States Billie Jean King
Australia Ray Ruffels

July

No tournaments this month

August

Week Tournament Champions Runners-up Semifinalists Quarterfinalists
7 AugUS Clay Court Championships
Indianapolis, United States
Colgate Series (A)
$35,000 – clay – 48S/24D
SinglesDoubles
United States Dana Gilbert
6–2, 6–3
Argentina Viviana GonzálezUnited States Janet Wright
United States Jeanne Evert
United States Kate Latham
United States Caroline Stoll
United States Valerie Ziegenfuss
United States Jeanne DuVall
Sweden Helena Anliot
Denmark Helle Sparre-Viragh
6–1, 6–3
United States Barbara Hallquist
United States Sheila McInerney
14 AugustRothmans Canadian Open
Toronto, Canada
Colgate Series (A)
$35,000 – hard
SinglesDoubles
Czechoslovakia Regina Maršíková
7–5, 6–7(9–11), 6–2
Romania Virginia RuziciUnited States Diane Desfor
United States Zenda Liess
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Mima Jaušovec
South Africa Yvonne Vermaak
Argentina Viviana González
Australia Lesley Hunt
Czechoslovakia Regina Maršíková
United States Pam Teeguarden
5–7, 6–4, 6–2
Australia Chris O'Neil
United States Paula Smith
21 AugBergen County Classic
Mahwah, United States
Colgate Series (AA)
$75,000 – hard
SinglesDoubles
United Kingdom Virginia Wade
1–6, 6–1, 6–4
Australia Kerry ReidCzechoslovakia Regina Maršíková
United States Tracy Austin
United States Mareen Louie Harper
Australia Lesley Hunt
United States Betsy Nagelsen
United States Caroline Stoll
South Africa Ilana Kloss
South Africa Marise Kruger
6–3, 6–1
United States Barbara Potter
Australia Pam Whytcross
28 Aug
4 Sep
US Open
New York City, United States
Grand Slam (AAAA)
$260,000 – Hard – 96S/32D/32X
SinglesDoublesMixed doubles
United States Chris Evert
7–5, 6–4
United States Pam ShriverUnited States Martina Navratilova
Australia Wendy Turnbull
Romania Virginia Ruzici
Australia Lesley Hunt
United States Kathy May
United States Tracy Austin
United States Billie Jean King
United States Martina Navratilova
7–6, 6–4
Australia Kerry Reid
Australia Wendy Turnbull
Netherlands Betty Stöve
South Africa Frew McMillan
6–2, 3–6, 6–3
United States Billie Jean King
Australia Ray Ruffels

September

Week Tournament Champions Runners-up Semifinalists Quarterfinalists
11 SepToray Sillook Open
Tokyo, Japan
Colgate Series (AAA)
$75,000 – carpet (i) – 32S
United Kingdom Virginia Wade
6–4, 7–6(7–2)
Netherlands Betty StöveUnited States Marita Redondo
Australia Wendy Turnbull
United States Jeanne DuVall
United Kingdom Michelle Tyler
Romania Virginia Ruzici
United States Carrie Meyer
Women in Tennis International
San Antonio, United States
Colgate Series (A)
$35,000 – hard – 32S/16D
SinglesDoubles
United States Stacy Margolin
7–5, 6–1
South Africa Yvonne VermaakUnited States Laura duPont
United States Anna-Maria Fernandez
South Africa Ilana Kloss
United States Barbara Hallquist
Brazil Patricia Medrado
Australia Cynthia Doerner
South Africa Ilana Kloss
South Africa Marise Kruger
6–1, 6–4
United States Laura duPont
France Françoise Dürr
18 SepWorld Tennis Classic
Montreal, Canada
Colgate Series (A)
$40,000 – clay – 32S/18D
SinglesDoubles
United States Caroline Stoll
6–3, 6–2
France Françoise DürrUnited States Laura duPont
South Africa Yvonne Vermaak
United States Dana Gilbert
United Kingdom Glynis Coles
United States Diane Desfor
United Kingdom Michelle Tyler
United States Julie Anthony
United States Billie Jean King
6–4, 6–4
South Africa Ilana Kloss
South Africa Marise Kruger
25 SepWyler's Classic
Atlanta, United States
Colgate Series (AAA)
$100,000 – carpet (i)
SinglesDoubles
United States Chris Evert
7–6(7–3), 0–6, 6–3
United States Martina NavratilovaUnited Kingdom Virginia Wade
Netherlands Betty Stöve
United States Carrie Meyer
Australia Kerry Reid
Australia Wendy Turnbull
United States Zenda Liess
France Françoise Dürr
United Kingdom Virginia Wade
4–6, 6–2, 6–4
United States Martina Navratilova
United States Anne Smith

October

Week Tournament Champions Runners-up Semifinalists Quarterfinalists
2 OctThunderbird Classic
Phoenix, United States
Colgate Series (AA)
$75,000 – hard – 32S/16S
SinglesDoubles
United States Martina Navratilova
6–4, 6–2
United States Tracy AustinAustralia Kerry Reid
United Kingdom Virginia Wade
United States Anne Smith
United States Anna-Maria Fernandez
United States Ann Kiyomura
United States Jeanne DuVall
United States Tracy Austin
Netherlands Betty Stöve
6–4, 6–7, 6–2
United States Martina Navratilova
United States Anne Smith
9 OctUS Indoors Championships
Minneapolis, United States
Colgate Series (AAAA)
$100,000 – carpet (i)
SinglesDoubles
United States Chris Evert
6–7, 6–2, 6–4
United Kingdom Virginia WadeAustralia Kerry Reid
Australia Wendy Turnbull
United States Barbara Potter
Netherlands Betty Stöve
United States Tracy Austin
Romania Virginia Ruzici
Australia Kerry Reid
Australia Wendy Turnbull
6–3, 6–3
Australia Lesley Hunt
South Africa Ilana Kloss
16 OctBMW Challenge
Brighton, Great Britain
Colgate Series (AA)
$75,000 – carpet (i)
SinglesDoubles
Romania Virginia Ruzici
5–7, 6–2, 7–5
Netherlands Betty StöveUnited States Chris Evert
Australia Kerry Reid
West Germany Sylvia Hanika
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Mima Jaušovec
Sweden Nina Bohm
United Kingdom Virginia Wade
Netherlands Betty Stöve
United Kingdom Virginia Wade
6–0, 7–6
South Africa Ilana Kloss
United States JoAnne Russell
23 OctPorsche Tennis Grand Prix
Filderstadt, West Germany
Colgate Series (A)
$35,000 – carpet (i)
SinglesDoubles
United States Tracy Austin
6–3, 6–3
Netherlands Betty StöveSocialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Mima Jaušovec
Romania Virginia Ruzici
Italy Sabina Simmonds
Australia Lesley Hunt
Sweden Nina Bohm
West Germany Heidi Eisterlehner
United States Tracy Austin
Netherlands Betty Stöve
6–3, 6–2
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Mima Jaušovec
Romania Virginia Ruzici
30 OctRio de La Plata Championships
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Colgate Series (A)
$35,000 – clay
SinglesDoubles
United States Caroline Stoll
6–3, 6–1
Argentina Emilse RaponiCzechoslovakia Regina Maršíková
Argentina Ivanna Madruga
Australia Cynthia Doerner
France Françoise Dürr
Netherlands Elly Vessies
Argentina Liliana Giussani
France Françoise Dürr
United States Valerie Ziegenfuss
1–6, 6–4, 6–3
United States Laura duPont
Czechoslovakia Regina Maršíková
Wightman Cup
London, United Kingdom
Hard (i)
Team event
 Great Britain
4–3
 United States

November

Week Tournament Champions Runners-up Semifinalists Quarterfinalists
6 NovFlorida Federal Open
Oldsmar, United States
Colgate Series (AA)
$75,000 – hard
SinglesDoubles
United Kingdom Virginia Wade
6–4, 7–6(7–1)
United States Anna-Maria FernandezCzechoslovakia Regina Maršíková
Australia Wendy Turnbull
United States Martina Navratilova
Australia Kerry Reid
United States Renee Blount
United States Anne White
United States Martina Navratilova
United States Anne Smith
7–6(7–4), 6–3
Australia Kerry Reid
Australia Wendy Turnbull
13 NovColgate Series Championships
Palm Springs, United States
Colgate Series championships
$250,000 – hard
SinglesDoubles
United States Chris Evert
6–3, 6–3
United States Martina NavratilovaUnited Kingdom Virginia Wade
Romania Virginia Ruzici
Round robin
Czechoslovakia Regina Maršíková
Australia Kerry Reid
Australia Wendy Turnbull
Netherlands Betty Stöve
United States Billie Jean King
United States Martina Navratilova
6–3, 6–4
Australia Kerry Reid
Australia Wendy Turnbull
20 NovGunze Invitational
Tokyo, Japan
Non-tour event
Hard (i)
United States Tracy Austin
6–1, 6–1
United States Martina Navratilova
United States Martina Navratilova
Netherlands Betty Stöve
4–6, 7–6, 6–3
United States Tracy Austin
United States Kathy May
27 NovFederation Cup
Melbourne, Australia
Grass – 32 teams knockout
 United States
2–1
 Australia Great Britain
 Soviet Union
 France
 Czechoslovakia
 Romania
 Netherlands

December

Week Tournament Champions Runners-up Semifinalists Quarterfinalists
11 DecEmeron Cup
Tokyo, Japan
Non-tour event
Carpet (i) – $200,000 – 4S
United States Chris Evert
7–5, 6–2
United States Martina NavratilovaUnited Kingdom Virginia Wade
Australia Evonne Goolagong Cawley

Colgate Series

Draw and seeding

Draw
Size
Min. Direct
Acceptances
Min.
Qualifiers
Min.
Wild Cards
Seeds
16 13 2 1 4
32 26 4 1[lower-alpha 1] 8
48 42 4 2 8
64 52 8 4 16
96 82 8 6 16
128 112 8 8 16

Wild cards for the tournament had to be given to either local players or players who had won Wimbledon, the US Open, the Virginia Slims or Colgate Series championships or were previous winners of the tournament. All tournaments used a seeded draw with the number of seeds depending on the draw size.

Points system

The tournaments of the Colgate Series were divided into four groups – AAAA, AAA, AA and A – based on prize money. Points were allocated based on these groups and the finishing position of a player in a tournament.[3] The points allocation – with doubles points listed in brackets – was:

Group AAAA
Prize money at least $150,000
  • Champion: 160 (32)
  • Runner-up: 120 (24)
  • Semifinalist: 80 (16)
  • Quarterfinalist: 40 (8)
  • Round of 16: 20 (4)
  • Round of 32: 15 (3)
  • Round of 64: 10
Group AAA
Prize money at least $100,000
  • Champion: 120 (24)
  • Runner-up: 90 (18)
  • Semifinalist: 60 (12)
  • Quarterfinalist: 30 (6)
  • Round of 16: 15 (3)
  • Round of 32: 10 (2)


Group AA
Prize money at least $75,000
  • Champion: 80 (16)
  • Runner-up: 60 (12)
  • Semifinalist: 40 (8)
  • Quarterfinalist: 20 (4)
  • Round of 16: 10 (2)
  • Round of 32: 5


Group A
Prize money at least $35,000
  • Champion: 40 (8)
  • Runner-up: 30 (6)
  • Semifinalist: 20 (4)
  • Quarterfinalist: 10 (2)
  • Round of 16: 5

Points standings and bonus pool

No. Player name Points
Singles
Bonus
Singles
Points
Doubles
Bonus
Doubles
Total
Bonus
1  Chris Evert (USA) 740 $100,000 $100,000
2  Virginia Wade (GBR) 635 $65,000 100 $7,500 $72,500
3  Kerry Reid (AUS) 560 $45,000 201 $22,000 $67,000
4  Martina Navratilova (USA) 540 $35,000 146 $13,000 $48,000
5  Virginia Ruzici (ROU) 470 $30,000 92 $6,000 $36,000
6  Evonne Goolagong Cawley (AUS) 450 $25,000 75 $3,800 $28,800
7  Betty Stöve (NED) 445 $22,500 142 $11,500 $34,000
8  Wendy Turnbull (AUS) 430 $20,000 168 $16,000 $36,000
9  Regina Maršíková (TCH) 370 $19,000 55 $2,500 $21,500
10  Tracy Austin (USA) 310 $17,000 $17,000

The total bonus pool for the Colgate Series was $675,000, an increase of $75,000 compared to the previous year, and was divided over singles ($540,000) and doubles ($135,000). The 35 highest points ranking singles players and the top 20 in doubles qualified to receive a share of the bonus pool. The distribution ranged from $100,000 for the first placed singles player to $3,000 for the 35th placed player. The first placed doubles player received $22,000 bonus while the 20th placed player received $2,000. In order to be eligible for a share of the respective bonus pools players had to a) participate in a minimum of seven singles or three doubles tournaments and b) accept invitation for the series championships if qualified based on merit. Players who ended on equal points were ranked in order of the number of tournaments played.[3][4]

Virginia Slims Circuit

Points standings and prize money

Combined prize money for singles and doubles events. The points, named 'Silver Ginny Points', were allocated as follows:

  • Winner: 210
  • Runner-up: 150
  • Third: 110
  • Semifinalist: 100
  • Quarterfinalist: 65
  • Round of 16: 30
  • Round of 32: 8

WTA Tour

Year-end rankings

Below are the 1978 WTA year-end rankings (December 10, 1978) in both singles and doubles competition:

Singles Year-end Ranking[5]
No. Player Name T M Points 1977 Change
1  Martina Navratilova (USA) 18 87 15.660 3 Increase 2
2  Chris Evert (USA) 10 56 15.192 1 Decrease 1
3  Evonne Goolagong Cawley (AUS) 11 48 11.688 NR NR
4  Virginia Wade (GBR) 22 92 9.879 4 Steady
5  Billie Jean King (USA) 10 35 9.183 2 Decrease 3
6  Tracy Austin (USA) 14 64 8.531 12 Increase 6
7  Wendy Turnbull (AUS) 22 79 8.171 9 Increase 2
8  Betty Stöve (NED) 21 72 7.336 7 Decrease 1
9  Kerry Reid (AUS) 21 79 7.111 10 Increase 1
10  Dianne Fromholtz (AUS) 14 39 7.032 8 Decrease 2
11  Rosie Casals (USA) 14 38 6.295 6 Decrease 5
12  Virginia Ruzici (ROU) 28 90 6.095 16 Increase 4
13  Pam Shriver (USA) 12 45 5.967 NR NR
14  Regina Maršíková (TCH) 32 91 5.559 20 Increase 6
15  Kathy May (USA) 16 38 4.706 21 Increase 6
16  Marita Redondo (USA) 17 46 4.649 NR NR
17  Greer Stevens (RSA) 7 15 4.628 13 Decrease 4
18  Marise Kruger (RSA) 17 31 4.559 25 Increase 7
19  Mima Jaušovec (YUG) 20 48 4.527 11 Decrease 8
20  Anne Smith (USA) 8 28 4.161 NR NR

Prize money leaders

No. Player Name Prize money
1  Chris Evert (USA) $454,486
2  Martina Navratilova (USA) $450,757
3  Virginia Wade (GBR) $300,027
4  Kerry Reid (AUS) $208,766
5  Wendy Turnbull (AUS) $189,583
6  Evonne Goolagong Cawley (AUS) $180,844
7  Betty Stöve (NED) $177,243
8  Virginia Ruzici (ROU) $151,379
9  Billie Jean King (USA) $149,492
10  Regina Maršíková (TCH) $88,840

See also

Notes

  1. Two wild cards for tournaments organized outside the United States.

References

  1. "WTA Tour Finals" (PDF). www.wtatennis.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-02-01. Retrieved 2012-07-14.
  2. "About the WTA". www.wtatennis.com. Archived from the original on 2012-09-20. Retrieved 2012-07-14.
  3. John Barrett, ed. (1978). World of Tennis 1978 : a BP yearbook. London: Macdonald and Janes. pp. 139, 142–143. ISBN 9780354090391.
  4. John Dolan (2011). Women's Tennis 1968–84: the Ultimate Guide. Remous. p. 511.
  5. "Womens International Computer Rankings" (PDF). Women's Tennis Association (WTA). 10 December 1978.
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