Virginia Slims of Richmond

The Virginia Slims of Richmond is a defunct WTA Tour affiliated women's tennis tournament founded in 1968 as the Westwood Indoor Invitation.[1] It was held at the Westwood Racquet Club in Richmond, Virginia in the United States and played on indoor clay courts. The 1970 invitational tournament was the second women's only tennis tournament after the 1970 Houston Women's Invitation.[2]

Virginia Slims of Richmond
Defunct tennis tournament
Event nameVirginia Slims of Richmond
TourWTA Tour
Founded1968
Abolished1973
Editions3
LocationRichmond, Virginia, U.S.
VenueWestwood Racquet Club
SurfaceClay / indoor

History

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In 1927 the Westwood Golf Club was established as a public club that was active till 1935 when it was closed down.[3] In 1939 it reopened as a private members club called the Westwood Supper Club.[4] In the mid 1940s the venue changed its name to "The Officer's Club of Virginia".[5] In 1955 new tennis courts were constructed at the venue.[6] In 1967 the club changed its name to the Westwood Racquet Club.[7] In 1968 it established a new tennis event called the "Westwood Indoor Invitation usually held in November that ran until 1969. In November 1970, a group of professional women tennis players called the "Original Nine" played in a historical tournament at Westwood.[8] this first all-women's tennis event known as the "Virginia Slims Invitational" that was part of the 1970 ILTF Women's Tennis Circuit that year. Philip Morris, Inc.. was the tournaments title sponsor with Westwood Racquet Club as host venue.[9] In 1971 the event was not held however in 1972 it was revived as the Virginia Slims of Richmond that ran til 1973.

Past finals

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Singles

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Year Champions Runners-up Score
Westwood Indoor Invitation
1968   Peaches Bartkowicz   Stephanie DeFina 6–1, 6–2.
1969[10]   Peaches Bartkowicz (2)   Linda Tuero 6–2, 6–0.
Virginia Slims Invitational
1970   Billie Jean King   Nancy Richey 6–3, 6–3
Virginia Slims of Richmond
1971 Not held
1972   Billie Jean King (2)   Nancy Richey 6–3, 6–4
1973   Margaret Court   Janet Newberry 6–2, 6–1

Doubles

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Year Champions Runners-up Score
Westwood Indoor Invitation
1968   Maria Bueno
  Nancy Richey
  Marilyn Aschner
  Peaches Bartkowicz
6–1, 6–2
1969   Peaches Bartkowicz
  Stephanie DeFina
  Darlene Hard
  Val Ziegenfuss
6–3, 2–6, 6–3
Virginia Slims Invitational
1970   Rosemary Casals
  Billie Jean King
  Mary-Ann Curtis
  Valerie Ziegenfuss
6–4, 6–4
1971 Not held
Virginia Slims of Richmond
1972   Rosemary Casals (2)
  Billie Jean King (2)
  Karen Krantzcke
  Judy Tegart
7–5, 7–6
1973   Margaret Court
  Lesley Hunt
  Karen Krantzcke
  Betty Stöve
6–2, 7–6(5–4)

Additional notes

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In 1959 the Westwood Country Club of St. Louis also established a Westwood Invitation tournament a combined men's and women's tournament played on outdoor clay courts,[11] as opposed to this event that was played on clay indoors.[11] The Westwood Invitation of St.Louis ran until 1969.[11]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Miss Bartkowicz Wins at Westwood". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Richmond, Virginia: newspapers.com. 3 Nov 1969. p. 35. Retrieved 21 November 2023.
  2. ^ John Dolan (2011). Women's Tennis 1968–84: the Ultimate Guide. Remous. pp. 54, 69, 114, 119–120, 144, 149.
  3. ^ "Club History". www.westwoodclub.net. Richmond, Virginia: Westwood Club. Retrieved 21 November 2023.
  4. ^ Westwood Club
  5. ^ Westwood Club
  6. ^ Westwood Club
  7. ^ Westwood Club
  8. ^ Westwood Club
  9. ^ Westwood Club
  10. ^ Richmond Times-Dispatch
  11. ^ a b c "Tournaments: Westwood Invitation (St. Louis)". The Tennis Base. Madrid, Spain: Tennismem SL. Retrieved 21 November 2023.
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