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1977 World Championship Tennis circuit

{{ Infobox tennis circuit season

| name = 1977 World Championship Tennis circuit

| image = ABN-tennistoernooi in Rotterdam Jimmy Corners in actie (kop), Bestanddeelnr 929-6576.jpg

| image_caption = Connors reached most finals

| duration = 12 January – 10 May

| edition = 10th

| tournaments = 13

| categories =

| most_tournament_titles = {{flagicon|USA}} Dick Stockton
{{flagicon|USA}} Jimmy Connors (3)

| most_tournament_finals = {{flagicon|USA}} Jimmy Connors (5)

| prize_money_leader =

| points_leader = {{flagicon|USA}} Dick Stockton (520)

| player_of_the_year =

| most_improved_player_of_the_year =

| newcomer_of_the_year =

| comeback_player_of_the_year =

| previous = 1976

| next = 1982

}}

The 1977 season of the World Championship Tennis (WCT) circuit was one of the two rival professional male tennis circuits of 1977. It was organized by World Championship Tennis (WCT) and consisted of a preliminary series of twelve tournaments leading up to a singles play-off in Dallas and doubles play-off in Kansas City in May. 23 players participated and the season final was played by the eight best performers. It was won by American Jimmy Connors who defeated compatriot Dick Stockton in four sets. The total prize money for the 1977 WCT circuit was $2,400,000.{{cite book|title=World of Tennis|year=1978|publisher=Macdonald and Jane's|location=London|isbn=978-0354090391|pages=171–177|editor=John Barrett}}

Additionally there were three special events that did not count towards the standings; the Aetna World Cup held in Hartford between America and Australia (10–13 March), the $320,000 Challenge Cup in Las Vegas (14–20 November) and the Tournament of Champions held in Lakeway, Texas (10–13 March, 10–13 July) and Madison Square Garden, New York (17 September).

Borg lawsuit

In February the WCT sued Björn Borg, as well as his management company IMG claiming that Borg had committed a breach of contract by electing to participate in the competing 1977 Grand Prix circuit instead of the WCT circuit. Borg eventually played a single WCT event, the Monte Carlo WCT, and won the tournament.{{cite news|title=W.C.T. Sues Borg and Colgate, Alleging a Breach of Contract|url=https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F50C11FB3B5F167493C7A91789D85F438785F9|work=The New York Times|date=February 4, 1977}}{{cite news|title=Borg Being Sued|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=r4UwAAAAIBAJ&sjid=iNwFAAAAIBAJ&pg=5540%2C2449736|work=Ludington Daily News|date=February 2, 1977}} As part of the settlement Borg committed to playing six or eight WCT events in 1978 which were then part of the Grand Prix circuit.{{cite web|author1=Barry Lorge|title=Peace Still Eludes Men's Pro Tennis|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1978/04/13/peace-still-eludes-mens-pro-tennis/18fc28e9-9f90-4c99-ba46-d453146cd609/|website=The Washington Post|date=April 13, 1978}}

Overview

class="sortable wikitable"

!width=70|Date

!width=170|Tournament

!width=190|Location

!width=50|Draw

!width=70|Prize Money

!width=70|Surface

!width=140|Winner

!width=140|Finalist

!width=150 class="unsortable"|Score

12 January

| Alabama WCT

| Birmingham, Alabama, U.S.

| 16S / 8D

| $175,000

| Carpet (i)

| {{flagicon|USA}} Jimmy Connors

| {{flagicon|USA}} Bill Scanlon

| 6–3, 6–3

24 January

| U.S. Pro Indoor

| Philadelphia, U.S.

| 64S / 32D

| $200,000

| Carpet (i)

| {{flagicon|USA}} Dick Stockton

| {{flagicon|USA}} Jimmy Connors

| 3–6, 6–4, 3–6, 6–1, 6–2

31 January

| Richmond Tennis Classic

| Richmond, Virginia, U.S.

| 16S / 8D

| $100,000

| Carpet (i)

| {{flagicon|NED}} Tom Okker

| {{flagicon|USA}} Vitas Gerulaitis

| 3–6, 6–3, 6–4

7 February

| Mexico City WCT

| Mexico City, Mexico

| 16S / 8D

| $100,000

| Carpet (i)

| {{flagicon|ROU|1965}} Ilie Năstase

| {{flagicon|POL}} Wojciech Fibak

| 4–6, 6–2, 7–6

15 February

| Toronto Indoor WCT

| Toronto, Canada

| 16S / 8D

| $100,000

| Carpet (i)

| {{flagicon|USA}} Dick Stockton

| {{flagicon|USA}} Jimmy Connors

| 5–6, ret.

1 March

| Monterrey WCT

| Monterrey, Mexico

| 16S / 8D

| $100,000

| Carpet (i)

| {{flagicon|POL}} Wojciech Fibak

| {{flagicon|USA}} Vitas Gerulaitis

| 6–4, 6–3

16 March

| St. Louis WCT

| St. Louis, U.S.

| 16S / 8D

| $100,000

| Hard (i)

| {{flagicon|USA}} Jimmy Connors

| {{flagicon|USA}} John Alexander

| 7–6, 6–2

22 March

| Rotterdam WCT

| Rotterdam, Netherlands

| 16S / 8D

| $100,000

| Carpet (i)

| {{flagicon|USA}} Dick Stockton

| {{flagicon|ROU|1965}} Ilie Năstase

| 2–6, 6–3, 6–3

28 March

| London WCT

| London, UK

| 16S / 8D

| $100,000

| Carpet (i)

| {{flagicon|USA}} Eddie Dibbs

| {{flagicon|USA}} Vitas Gerulaitis

| 7–6, 6–7, 6–4

5 April

| Monte Carlo WCT

| Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, France

| 16S / 8D

| $100,000

| Clay

| {{flagicon|SWE}} Björn Borg

| {{flagicon|ITA}} Corrado Barazzutti

| 6–3, 7–5, 6–0

11 April

| Houston WCT

| Houston, U.S.

| 16S / 8D

| $100,000

| Har-Tru

| {{flagicon|ITA}} Adriano Panatta

| {{flagicon|USA}} Vitas Gerulaitis

| 7–6, 6–7, 6–1

18 April

| Charlotte WCT

| Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S.

| 16S / 8D

| $100,000

| Har-Tru

| {{flagicon|ITA}} Corrado Barazzutti

| {{flagicon|USA}} Eddie Dibbs

| 7–6, 6–0

4 May

| Kansas WCT Doubles Finals

| Kansas City, U.S.

| 8D

| $200,000

| Carpet (i)

| {{flagicon|IND}} Vijay Amritraj
{{flagicon|USA}} Dick Stockton

| {{flagicon|USA}} Vitas Gerulaitis
{{flagicon|ITA}} Adriano Panatta

| 7–6, 7–6, 4–6, 6–3

10 May

| Dallas WCT Singles Finals

| Dallas, Texas, U.S.

| 8S

| $200,000

| Carpet (i)

| {{flagicon|USA}} Jimmy Connors

| {{flagicon|USA}} Dick Stockton

| 6–7, 6–1, 6–4, 6–3

Schedule

The schedule of events on the 1977 WCT circuit, with player progression documented until the quarterfinals stage.{{cite news|author=atpworldtour.com|title=1977 Grand Prix and WCT circuits calendar|url=http://www.atpworldtour.com/Scores/Archive-Event-Calendar.aspx?t=2&y=1977|access-date=2012-09-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020154821/http://www.atpworldtour.com/Scores/Archive-Event-Calendar.aspx?t=2&y=1977|archive-date=2012-10-20|url-status=dead}}

=January=

class=wikitable style=font-size:95%

! style="width:48px;"|Week

! style="width:260px;"|Tournament

! style="width:190px;"|Champions

! style="width:190px;"|Runners-up

! style="width:190px;"|Semifinalists

! style="width:190px;"|Quarterfinalists

valign=top

|rowspan=2|12 Jan

rowspan=2| Alabama WCT
Birmingham, United States		{{flagicon|USA}} Jimmy Connors
6–3, 6–3		{{flagicon|USA}} Bill Scanlonrowspan=2|{{flagicon|USA}} Eddie Dibbs
{{flagicon|RSA|1928}} Ray Moore		rowspan=2|{{flagicon|RSA|1928}} Cliff Drysdale
{{flagicon|USA}} Sandy Mayer
{{flagicon|USA}} Vitas Gerulaitis
{{flagicon|ROU|1965}} Ilie Năstase
valign=top

|{{flagicon|POL}} Wojciech Fibak
{{flagicon|NED}} Tom Okker
6–3, 6–4

{{flagicon|USA}} Billy Martin
{{flagicon|USA}} Bill Scanlon
valign=top

|rowspan=2|24 Jan

rowspan=2|U.S. Pro Indoor
Philadelphia, United States		{{flagicon|USA}} Dick Stockton
3–6, 6–4, 3–6, 6–1, 6–2		{{flagicon|USA}} Jimmy Connorsrowspan=2|{{flagicon|USA}} Jeff Borowiak
{{flagicon|RSA|1928}} Cliff Drysdale		rowspan=2|{{flagicon|AUS}} Ken Rosewall
{{flagicon|IND}} Vijay Amritraj
{{flagicon|RSA|1928}} Bernard Mitton
{{flagicon|AUS}} Tony Roche
valign=top

| {{flagicon|RSA|1928}} Bob Hewitt
{{flagicon|RSA|1928}} Frew McMillan
7–5, 6–3

{{flagicon|POL}} Wojciech Fibak
{{flagicon|NED}} Tom Okker
valign=top

|rowspan=2|31 Jan

rowspan=2| Richmond WCT
Richmond, United States		{{flagicon|NED}} Tom Okker
3–6, 6–3, 6–4		{{flagicon|USA}} Vitas Gerulaitisrowspan=2|{{flagicon|ITA}} Corrado Barazzutti
{{flagicon|AUS}} Tony Roche		rowspan=2|{{flagicon|AUS}} Ross Case
{{flagicon|ITA}} Adriano Panatta
{{flagicon|ESP|1945}} Manuel Orantes
{{flagicon|ROU|1965}} Ilie Năstase
valign=top

| {{flagicon|POL}} Wojciech Fibak
{{flagicon|NED}} Tom Okker
6–4, 6–4

{{flagicon|AUS}} Ross Case
{{flagicon|AUS}} Tony Roche

=February=

class=wikitable style=font-size:95%

! style="width:48px;"|Week

! style="width:260px;"|Tournament

! style="width:190px;"|Champions

! style="width:190px;"|Runners-up

! style="width:190px;"|Semifinalists

! style="width:190px;"|Quarterfinalists

valign=top

|rowspan=2|7 Feb

rowspan=2| Mexico City WCT
Mexico City, Mexico		{{flagicon|ROU|1965}} Ilie Năstase
4–6, 6–2, 7–6		{{flagicon|POL}} Wojciech Fibakrowspan=2|{{flagicon|ITA}} Adriano Panatta
{{flagicon|AUS}} Ken Rosewall		rowspan=2|{{flagicon|RSA|1928}} Cliff Drysdale
{{flagicon|TCH}} Jan Kodeš
{{flagicon|USA}} Vitas Gerulaitis
{{flagicon|ESP|1945}} Manuel Orantes
valign=top

| {{flagicon|POL}} Wojciech Fibak
{{flagicon|NED}} Tom Okker
6–2, 6–3

{{flagicon|ROU|1965}} Ilie Năstase
{{flagicon|ITA}} Adriano Panatta
valign=top

|rowspan=2|16 Feb

rowspan=2| Toronto Indoor
Toronto, Canada		{{flagicon|USA}} Dick Stockton
5–6 ret.		{{flagicon|USA}} Jimmy Connorsrowspan=2|{{flagicon|USA}} Eddie Dibbs
{{flagicon|NED}} Tom Okker		rowspan=2|{{flagicon|AUS}} Rod Laver
{{flagicon|AUS}} Ken Rosewall
{{flagicon|AUS}} Tony Roche
{{flagicon|AUS}} Ross Case
valign=top

| {{flagicon|POL}} Wojciech Fibak
{{flagicon|NED}} Tom Okker
6–4, 6–1

{{flagicon|AUS}} Ross Case
{{flagicon|AUS}} Tony Roche
valign=top

|rowspan=2|28 Feb

rowspan=2| Monterrey WCT
Monterrey, Mexico		{{flagicon|POL}} Wojciech Fibak
6–4, 6–3		{{flagicon|USA}} Vitas Gerulaitisrowspan=2|{{flagicon|RSA|1928}} Cliff Drysdale
{{flagicon|USA}} Bill Scanlon		rowspan=2|{{flagicon|ESP|1945}} Manuel Orantes
{{flagicon|MEX}} Raúl Ramírez
{{flagicon|USA}} Harold Solomon
{{flagicon|USA}} Eddie Dibbs
valign=top

| {{flagicon|AUS}} Ross Case
{{flagicon|POL}} Wojciech Fibak
3–6, 6–3, 6–4

{{flagicon|USA}} Billy Martin
{{flagicon|USA}} Bill Scanlon

=March=

class=wikitable style=font-size:95%

! style="width:48px;"|Week

! style="width:260px;"|Tournament

! style="width:190px;"|Champions

! style="width:190px;"|Runners-up

! style="width:190px;"|Semifinalists

! style="width:190px;"|Quarterfinalists

valign=top

|rowspan=2|16 Mar

rowspan=2| St. Louis Tennis Classic
St. Louis, United States		{{flagicon|USA}} Jimmy Connors
7–6, 6–2		{{flagicon|AUS}} John Alexanderrowspan=2|{{flagicon|USA}} Harold Solomon
{{flagicon|ROU|1965}} Ilie Năstase		rowspan=2|{{flagicon|RSA|1928}} Cliff Drysdale
{{flagicon|USA}} Raz Reid
{{flagicon|AUS}} Ken Rosewall
{{flagicon|RSA|1928}} Bernard Mitton
valign=top

| {{flagicon|ROU|1965}} Ilie Năstase
{{flagicon|ITA}} Adriano Panatta
6–4, 3–6, 7–6

{{flagicon|IND}} Vijay Amritraj
{{flagicon|USA}}Dick Stockton
valign=top

|rowspan=2|22 Mar

rowspan=2| Rotterdam WCT
Rotterdam, Netherlands		{{flagicon|USA}} Dick Stockton
2–6, 6–3, 6–3		{{flagicon|ROU|1965}} Ilie Năstaserowspan=2|{{flagicon|POL}} Wojciech Fibak
{{flagicon|GBR}} Mark Cox		rowspan=2|{{flagicon|IND}} Vijay Amritraj
{{flagicon|AUS}} John Alexander
{{flagicon|ITA}} Corrado Barazzutti
{{flagicon|RSA|1928}} Cliff Drysdale
valign=top

| {{flagicon|NED}} Tom Okker
{{flagicon|POL}} Wojciech Fibak
6–4, 6–4

{{flagicon|IND}} Vijay Amritraj
{{flagicon|USA}} Dick Stockton
valign=top

|rowspan=2|28 Mar

rowspan=2| Rothmans International London
London, England		{{flagicon|USA}} Eddie Dibbs
7–6, 6–7, 6–4		{{flagicon|USA}} Vitas Gerulaitisrowspan=2|{{flagicon|IND}} Vijay Amritraj
{{flagicon|USA}} Dick Stockton		rowspan=2|{{flagicon|ROU|1965}} Ilie Năstase
{{flagicon|AUS}} Ross Case
{{flagicon|POL}} Wojciech Fibak
{{flagicon|USA}} Harold Solomon
valign=top

| {{flagicon|ROU|1965}} Ilie Năstase
{{flagicon|ITA}} Adriano Panatta
7–6(7–5), 6–7(3–7), 6–3

{{flagicon|GBR}} Mark Cox
{{flagicon|USA}} Eddie Dibbs

=April=

class=wikitable style=font-size:95%

! style="width:48px;"|Week

! style="width:260px;"|Tournament

! style="width:190px;"|Champions

! style="width:190px;"|Runners-up

! style="width:190px;"|Semifinalists

! style="width:190px;"|Quarterfinalists

valign=top

|rowspan=2|5 Apr

rowspan=2| Monte Carlo WCT
Monte Carlo, Monaco		{{flagicon|SWE}} Björn Borg
6–3, 7–5, 6–0		{{flagicon|ITA}} Corrado Barazzuttirowspan=2|{{flagicon|TCH}} Jan Kodeš
{{flagicon|ARG}} Guillermo Vilas		rowspan=2|{{flagicon|HUN}} Balázs Taróczy
{{flagicon|POL}} Wojciech Fibak
{{flagicon|USA}} Eddie Dibbs
{{flagicon|ITA}} Adriano Panatta
valign=top

| {{flagicon|FRA}} François Jauffret
{{flagicon|TCH}} Jan Kodeš
2–6, 6–3, 6–2

{{flagicon|POL}} Wojciech Fibak
{{flagicon|NLD}} Tom Okker
valign=top

|rowspan=2|11 Apr

rowspan=2| Houston Open
Houston, United States		{{flagicon|ITA}} Adriano Panatta
7–6, 6–7, 6–1		{{flagicon|USA}} Vitas Gerulaitisrowspan=2|{{flagicon|USA}} Eddie Dibbs
{{flagicon|ROU|1965}} Ilie Năstase		rowspan=2|{{flagicon|AUS}} Ken Rosewall
{{flagicon|USA}} Harold Solomon
{{flagicon|AUS}} Tony Roche
{{flagicon|AUS}} Ross Case
valign=top

| {{flagicon|ROU|1965}} Ilie Năstase
{{flagicon|ITA}} Adriano Panatta
6–3, 6–4

{{flagicon|AUS}} John Alexander
{{flagicon|AUS}} Phil Dent
valign=top

|rowspan=2|18 Apr

rowspan=2| Charlotte Tennis Classic
Charlotte, United States		{{flagicon|ITA}} Corrado Barazzutti
7–6, 6–0		{{flagicon|USA}} Eddie Dibbsrowspan=2|{{flagicon|ITA}} Adriano Panatta
{{flagicon|AUS}} John Alexander		rowspan=2|{{flagicon|NED}} Tom Okker
{{flagicon|RSA|1928}} Cliff Drysdale
{{flagicon|USA}} Harold Solomon
{{flagicon|AUS}} Tony Roche
valign=top

| {{flagicon|NED}} Tom Okker
{{flagicon|AUS}} Ken Rosewall
6–1, 3–6, 7–6

{{flagicon|ITA}} Corrado Barazzutti
{{flagicon|ITA}} Adriano Panatta

Special events

These WCT events did not count towards the standings.

class="wikitable" style="font-size:97%;"
width="80"|Week of

!width="230"|Tournament

!width="210"|Champions

!width="210"|Runners-up

!width="170"|Semifinalists

!width="170"|Quarterfinalists

valign=top

|10 Mar

World Cup
Hartford, United States		{{flagu|USA}}
7–0		{{flagicon|AUS}} AustraliaN.A.N.A.
valign=top

|25 Apr

Caesar's Palace Challenge{{cite news|title=Nastase whips Connors for Challenge Cup title|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=hHBUAAAAIBAJ&sjid=SY8DAAAAIBAJ&pg=5130%2C579635|work=Ellensburg Daily Record|agency=UPI|date=April 11, 1977|page=9}}
Las Vegas, United States
$100,000		{{flagicon|ROU|1965}} Ilie Năstase
3–6, 7–6, 6–4, 7–5		{{flagicon|USA}} Jimmy ConnorsN.A.N.A.
valign=top

|10 Mar –
10 Jul –
17 Sep

Shakeys Tournament of Champions
Lakeway, United States
New York City, United States (final)		{{flagicon|USA}} Harold Solomon
6–5(7–5), 6–2, 2–6, 0–6, 6–3		{{flagicon|AUS}} Ken Rosewall{{flagicon|USA}} Dick Stockton
{{flagicon|USA}} Eddie Dibbs		{{flagicon|AUS}} Phil Dent
{{flagicon|USA}} Jimmy Connors
{{flagicon|ROU|1965}} Ilie Năstase
{{flagicon|IND}} Vijay Amritraj

Standings

class="sortable wikitable" style=font-size:97%

!width=140 |Player

!width=70 |Tournaments Played

!width=70 |Tournaments Won

!width=35 |Matches Won

!width=35 |Matches Lost

!width=75 |Points

{{flagicon|USA}} Dick Stockton *

| 7

| 3

| 15

| 4

| 520

{{flagicon|USA}} Eddie Dibbs *

| 9

| 1

| 17

| 8

| 500

{{flagicon|USA}} Jimmy Connors *

| 5

| 2

| 12

| 3

| 460

{{flagicon|ROM|1965}} Ilie Năstase *

| 8

| 1

| 15

| 7

| 440

{{flagicon|RSA|1928}} Cliff Drysdale *

| 9

| 0

| 10

| 8

| 420

{{flagicon|POL}} Wojtek Fibak *

| 9

| 1

| 11

| 8

| 420

{{flagicon|USA}} Vitas Gerulaitis *

| 7

| 0

| 15

| 7

| 420

{{flagicon|ITA}} Adriano Panatta *

| 9

| 1

| 11

| 8

| 400

{{flagicon|ITA}} Corrado Barazzutti

| 7

| 1

| 10

| 6

| 330

{{flagicon|AUS}} Ken Rosewall

| 8

| 0

| 7

| 8

| 320

{{flagicon|USA}} Harold Solomon

| 9

| 0

| 7

| 8

| 320

* Qualified for the WCT Finals.

See also

References

{{reflist}}

External links

  • [http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/scores/results-archive?year=1977 ATP 1977 results archive]

{{World Championship Tennis seasons}}

{{1977 World Championship Tennis circuit}}

{{Men's tennis seasons}}

{{1977 in tennis}}

Category:World Championship Tennis circuit seasons

World Championship Tennis