Virginia Slims of Houston
The Virginia Slims of Houston is a defunct WTA Tour affiliated tennis tournament played from 1970 to 1995. It was held in Houston, Texas in the United States and played on indoor carpet courts from 1970 to 1984 and on outdoor clay courts from 1985 to 1995.
Virginia Slims of Houston | |
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Defunct tennis tournament | |
Event name | Virginia Slims of Houston (1970–78, 1983–94) Avon Championships of Houston (1979–82) Gallery Furniture Championships (1995) |
Tour | WTA Tour (1970–95) |
Founded | 1970 |
Abolished | 1995 |
Surface | Carpet (1970–84) Clay (1985–95) |
The event has the distinction of being the first-ever tournament on the professional women's circuit, which would eventually become the WTA Tour. In 1971, the event served as the series Championships of the inaugural Virginia Slims Tour.
Martina Navratilova was the most successful player at the tournament, winning the singles and doubles competitions six times each, partnering Dutchwomen Betty Stöve and Manon Bollegraf and Americans Janet Newberry, Pam Shriver, Elise Burgin and Kathy Jordan once each for her doubles successes.