1976 Grand Prix (tennis)
![]() Jimmy Connors, 3rd at the Grand Prix and 1st for the ATP ranking. | |
Details | |
---|---|
Duration | 28 December 1975 – 13 December |
Edition | 7th |
Tournaments | 48 |
Achievements (singles) | |
Most tournament titles | ![]() |
Most tournament finals | ![]() |
Prize money leader | ![]() |
Points leader | ![]() |
Awards | |
Player of the year | ![]() |
Newcomer of the year | ![]() |
← 1975 1977 → |
The 1976 Commercial Union Assurance Grand Prix was a professional tennis circuit administered by the International Lawn Tennis Federation (ILTF) which served as a forerunner to the current Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) World Tour and the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) Tour.[1] The circuit consisted of the four modern Grand Slam tournaments and open tournaments recognised by the ILTF. The Commercial Union Assurance Masters is included in this calendar but did not count towards the Grand Prix ranking.[2]
The 1976 Grand Prix circuit consisted of 48 tournaments held in 21 different countries.
Schedule[]
- Key
Grand Slam tournaments |
Grand Prix Masters |
Grand Prix Super Series |
Four-star events |
Three-star events |
Two-star events |
One-star events |
Team events |
December 1975[]
Week | Tournament | Champions | Runners-up | Semifinalists | Quarterfinalists |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
28 Dec | Australian Open Melbourne, Australia Grand Slam $75,000 – Grass – 64S/32D Singles – Doubles |
![]() 6–7, 6–3, 7–6, 6–1 |
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() 7–6, 6–4 |
![]() ![]() |
May[]
Week | Tournament | Champions | Runners-up | Semifinalists | Quarterfinalists |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
4 May | Romika Cup Munich, West Germany Clay – 32S/16D One Star |
![]() 6–1, 6–4, 6–1 |
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() 1–6, 6–3, 6–2, 2–3 RET. |
![]() ![]() | ||||
11 May | Coca-Cola British Hard Court Championships Bournemouth, Great Britain Clay – 48S/24D/16XD Two Star |
![]() 6–2, 7–9, 6–2, 6–2 |
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() 4–6, 7–5, 7–5 |
![]() ![]() | ||||
![]() ![]() 6–8, 8–6, 6–1 |
![]() ![]() | ||||
18 May | German Open Hamburg, West Germany $100,000 – Clay – 64S/32D Three Star |
![]() 6–4, 4–6, 6–1, 2–6, 6–1 |
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() 7–6, 7–6, 7–6 |
![]() ![]() | ||||
25 May | Italian Open Rome, Italy $131,500 – Clay – 64S/32D Super Series |
![]() 2–6, 7–6, 6–2, 7–6 |
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() 7–6, 5–7, 6–3, 3–6, 6–3[note 1] |
![]() ![]() | ||||
Agfa Colour Cup Düsseldorf, West Germany Clay – 48S/24D Two Star |
![]() 6–2, 6–2, 6–0 |
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | |
![]() ![]() 6–4, 4–6, 6–4 |
![]() ![]() | ||||
31 May | French Open Paris, France Grand Slam Clay – 128S/64D/32XD Singles – Doubles – Mixed doubles |
![]() 6–1, 6–4, 4–6, 7–6 |
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() 7–6 (8–6), 6–3, 6–1 |
![]() ![]() | ||||
![]() ![]() 5–7, 7–6, 6–2 |
![]() ![]() |
June[]
Week | Tournament | Champions | Runners-up | Semifinalists | Quarterfinalists |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
14 Jun | John Player Open Nottingham, Great Britain $100,000 – Grass – 64S/32D Three Star |
No Winner | ![]() ![]() 6–2, 4–6, 1–1 Match Abandoned |
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Not completed. (5 pairs remaining) | |||||
Berlin Open Berlin, West Germany $50,000 – Clay – 32S/15D One Star |
![]() 6–1, 6–2, 5–7, 6–3 |
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | |
![]() ![]() 7–5, 6–1 |
![]() ![]() | ||||
21 Jun | Wimbledon Championships London, Great Britain Grand Slam $160,000 – Grass – 128S/64D/64XD Singles – Doubles – Mixed doubles |
![]() 6–4, 6–2, 9–7 |
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() 3–6, 6–3, 8–6, 2–6, 7–5 |
![]() ![]() | ||||
![]() ![]() 6–3, 2–6, 7–5 |
![]() ![]() |
July[]
Week | Tournament | Champions | Runners-up | Semifinalists | Quarterfinalists |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
5 Jul | Swedish Open Båstad, Sweden Clay – $100,000 – 64S/32D Three Star |
![]() 4–6, 7–5, 6–2 |
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() 6–3, 6–4 |
![]() ![]() | ||||
Swiss Open Gstaad, Switzerland $75,000 – Clay – 48S/24D Two Star |
![]() 7–5, 6–7, 6–1, 6–3 |
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | |
![]() ![]() 7–5, 6–3, 6–3 |
![]() ![]() | ||||
12 Jul | Western Championships Cincinnati, United States $100,000 – Clay – 64S/32D Three Star |
![]() 4–6, 7–5, 6–2 |
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() 6–1, 6–1 |
![]() ![]() | ||||
Dutch Open Hilversum, Netherlands $75,000 – Clay – 32S/16D One Star |
![]() 6–7, 2–6, 6–1, 6–3 |
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | |
![]() ![]() 6–4, 6–3 |
![]() ![]() | ||||
19 Jul | Head Cup Kitzbühel, Austria Clay – 64S/32D Two Star |
![]() 7–6, 6–2, 7–6 |
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() 6–7, 6–2, 6–4 |
![]() ![]() | ||||
26 Jul | Washington Star International Washington, D.C., USA $125,000 – Clay – 64S/32D Super Series |
![]() 6–2, 6–4 |
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() 6–3, 6–3 |
![]() ![]() |
August[]
Week | Tournament | Champions | Runners-up | Semifinalists | Quarterfinalists |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2 Aug | Louisville International Louisville, United States $125,000 – Clay – 64S/32D Four Star |
![]() 6–2, 7–5 |
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() 6–3, 6–4 |
![]() ![]() | ||||
Volvo International North Conway, United States Clay – 64S/32D Three Star |
![]() 7–6, 4–6, 6–3 |
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | |
![]() ![]() 6–3, 6–0 |
![]() ![]() | ||||
Buckeye Championships Columbus, United States Clay – 48S/24D Two Star |
![]() 6–4, 7–6 |
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | |
![]() ![]() 6–3, 6–4 |
![]() ![]() | ||||
9 Aug | U.S. Clay Court Championships Indianapolis, United States Super Series $160,000 – Clay – 64S/32D Singles – Doubles |
![]() 6–2, 6–4 |
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() 6–2, 6–2 |
![]() ![]() | ||||
16 Aug | Rothmans Canadian Open Toronto, Ontario, Canada $125,000 – Clay – 64S/32D Four Star |
![]() 6–4, 7–6, 6–2 |
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() 6–2, 6–1 |
![]() ![]() | ||||
23 Aug | U.S. Professional Tennis Championships Boston, United States $125,000 – Clay – 64S/32D Super Series |
![]() 6–7, 6–4, 6–1, 6–2 |
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() 3–6, 6–3, 7–6 |
![]() ![]() | ||||
Tennis Week Open South Orange, United States $50,000 – Clay – 32S/16D One Star |
![]() 6–4, 6–2 |
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | |
![]() ![]() 7–5, 4–6, 6–2 |
![]() ![]() | ||||
30 Aug | US Open New York, United States $217,000 – Clay – 128S/64D/32XD Grand Slam Singles – Doubles – Mixed doubles |
![]() 6–4, 3–6, 7–6(11–9), 6–4 |
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() 6–4, 6–0 |
![]() ![]() | ||||
![]() ![]() 6–3, 7–6 |
![]() ![]() |
September[]
Week | Tournament | Champions | Runners-up | Semifinalists | Quarterfinalists |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
13 Sep | Grow Professional Doubles Championships The Woodlands, United States $100,000 – Hard – 16D |
![]() ![]() 6–1, 6–4, 5–7, 7–6 |
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
|
Bermuda Classic Bermuda $50,000 – Clay – 32S/16D One Star |
![]() 7–6, 6–2 |
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | |
![]() ![]() 6–4, 4–6, 7–6 |
![]() ![]() | ||||
20 Sep | Arco Pacific Southwest Open Los Angeles, United States $125,000 – Carpet – 64S/32D Four Star |
![]() 6–2, 6–2 |
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() 6–2, 3–6, 6–3 |
![]() ![]() | ||||
27 Sep | Fireman's Fund International San Francisco, United States $125,000 – Carpet – 64S/32D Four Star |
![]() 4–6, 7–5, 6–1 |
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() 6–3, 6–4 |
![]() ![]() |
October[]
Week | Tournament | Champions | Runners-up | Semifinalists | Quarterfinalists |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
4 Oct | Aryamehr Cup Tehran, Iran $150,000 – Clay – 64S/32D One Star |
![]() 7–6, 6–0, 2–6, 6–4 |
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() 7–5, 6–1 |
![]() ![]() | ||||
Island Holidays Classic Maui, United States $100,000 – Hard – 48S/24D Three Star |
![]() 6–3, 5–7, 7–5 |
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | |
![]() ![]() 6–7, 6–3, 6–4 |
![]() ![]() | ||||
11 Oct | Trofeo Gillette Madrid, Spain Clay – 64S/32D Three Star |
![]() 7–6, 6–2, 6–1 |
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() 4–6, 7–5, 6–3 |
![]() ![]() | ||||
Air India/BP Tennis Classic Brisbane, Australia $50,000 – Grass – 32S/16D One Star |
![]() 3–6, 6–4, 6–4, 6–4 |
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | |
![]() ![]() 6–4, 6–4 |
![]() ![]() | ||||
18 Oct | CC Australian Indoor Championships Sydney, Australia Four Star $125,000 – Hard (i) – 48S/24D Singles – Doubles |
![]() 4–6, 6–3, 7–6, 6–3 |
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() 4–6, 6–4, 7–6 |
![]() ![]() | ||||
Trofeo Conde de Godó Barcelona, Spain Clay – 64S/32D Three Star |
![]() 6–1, 2–6, 2–6, 7–5, 6–4 |
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | |
![]() ![]() 7–6, 6–4 |
![]() ![]() | ||||
25 Oct | Hitachi West Coast Classic Perth, Australia $50,000 – Hard – 32S/16D One Star |
![]() 6–0, 4–6, 2–6, 6–3, 6–2 |
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() 6–7, 6–1, 6–2 |
![]() ![]() | ||||
Jean Becker Open Paris, France $50,000 – Hard (i) – 32S/16D One Star |
![]() 5–7, 6–4, 6–4, 7–6 |
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | |
![]() ![]() 6–2, 6–2 |
![]() ![]() | ||||
Fischer Grand Prix Vienna, Austria $50,000 – Hard (i) – 32S/16D One Star |
![]() 6���7, 6–3, 6–4, 2–6, 6–1 |
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | |
![]() ![]() 6–4, 4–0 RET. |
![]() ![]() |
November[]
Week | Tournament | Champions | Runners-up | Semifinalists | Quarterfinalists |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 Nov | Dewar Cup London, Great Britain Carpet – $100,000 – 32S/16D Three Star |
![]() 6–3, 6–4 |
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() 6–4, 3–6, 6–3 |
![]() ![]() | ||||
Japan Open Tennis Championships Tokyo, Japan Clay – 48S/24D Three Star |
![]() 6–3, 6–2 |
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | |
![]() ![]() 6–4, 6–4 |
![]() ![]() | ||||
Cologne Cup Cologne, West Germany $50,000 – Carpet – 32S/16D One Star |
![]() 6–2, 6–3 |
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | |
![]() ![]() 6–1, 3–6, 7–6 |
![]() ![]() | ||||
8 Nov | Stockholm Open Stockholm, Sweden Super Series $150,000 – Hard (i) – 64S/32D Singles – Doubles |
![]() 4–6, 7–5, 7–6(7–3) |
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() 6–4, 4–6, 6–4 |
![]() ![]() | ||||
Citizen's Classic Hong Kong, Hong Kong $75,000 – Hard – 32S/16D Two Star |
![]() 1–6, 6–4, 7–6, 6–0 |
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | |
![]() ![]() 6–4, 6–2 |
![]() ![]() | ||||
15 Nov | Benson & Hedges Championships London, Great Britain $125,000 – Carpet – 32S/16D Super Series |
![]() 3–6, 7–6(8–6), 6–4 |
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() 7–6, 6–3 |
![]() ![]() | ||||
Philippine Open Manila, the Philippines $75,000 – Clay – 48S/24D Two Star |
![]() 7–5, 6–7, 7–6 |
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | |
![]() ![]() 6–0, 6–1 |
![]() ![]() | ||||
São Paulo Open São Paulo, Brazil $50,000 – Carpet – 32S/16D One Star |
![]() 6–3, 6–0 |
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | |
![]() ![]() 6–4, 3–6, 6–3 |
![]() ![]() | ||||
22 Nov | South African Breweries Open Johannesburg, South Africa $150,000 – Hard – 48S/24D/16XD One Star |
![]() 6–2, 6–7, 6–3, 6–4 |
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() 1–6, 6–1, 6–2, 7–6 |
![]() ![]() | ||||
![]() ![]() 6–2, 7–6 |
![]() ![]() | ||||
South American Open Buenos Aires, Argentina $75,000 – Clay – 32S/16D Two Star |
![]() 6–2, 6–2, 6–3 |
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | |
![]() ![]() 6–4, 7–5 |
![]() ![]() | ||||
Indian Open Bangalore, India $50,000 – Clay – 32S/16D One Star |
![]() 6–1, 6–2 |
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | |
![]() ![]() 6–2, 7–6 |
![]() ![]() |
December[]
Week | Tournament | Champions | Runners-up | Semifinalists | Quarterfinalists |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
6 Dec | Commercial Union Assurance Masters Houston, United States $130,000 – Carpet – 8S/4D Singles – Doubles |
![]() 5–7, 6–2, 0–6, 7–6(7–1), 6–1 |
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
Round Robin ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() 6–3, 5–7, 5–7, 6–4, 6–4 |
![]() ![]() |
Points system[]
The tournaments listed above were divided into six groups. Group TC consisted of the Triple Crown—the French Open, the Wimbledon Championships and the US Open—while the other tournaments were given star ratings ranging from five stars to one star, based on prize money and draw size.[3] Points were allocated based on these ratings and the finishing position of a player in a tournament. No points were awarded to first-round losers, and ties were settled by the number of tournaments played. The points allocation, with doubles points listed in brackets, is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Standings[]
The 1976 Grand Prix tournaments were divided in six separate point categories, ranging from the Triple Crown tournaments (150 points for the winner) to the smallest One Star tournaments (40 points for the winner). At the end of the year the 35 top-ranked players received a bonus from the bonus pool. To qualify for a bonus a player must have played a minimum amount of One and Two Star tournaments. The top eight points ranked singles players and top four doubles teams were entitled to participate in the season-ending Masters tournament.[2]
Rk | Name | Points | Bonus |
---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() |
938 | $150,000 |
2 | ![]() |
811 | $90,000 |
3 | ![]() |
800 | – |
4 | ![]() |
687 | $60,000 |
5 | ![]() |
681 | $45,000 |
6 | ![]() |
627 | $35,000 |
7 | ![]() |
615 | $30,000 |
8 | ![]() |
582 | $26,000 |
9 | ![]() |
574 | $23,000 |
10 | ![]() |
510 | – |
ATP Rankings[]
These are the ATP Rankings of the top twenty singles players at the end of the 1975 season [4] and at the end of the 1976 season,[5] with numbers of ranking points, points averages, numbers of tournaments played, year-end rankings in 1976, highest and lowest positions during the season and number of spots gained or lost from the first rankings to the year-end rankings.
|
|
List of tournament winners[]
The list of winners and number of Grand Prix singles titles won, alphabetically by last name:
Paolo Bertolucci (1) Barcelona
Björn Borg (3) Düsseldorf, Wimbledon, Boston
Jimmy Connors (6) Washington, North Conway, Indianapolis, US Open, Cologne, Wembley
Mark Cox (1) Stockholm
Eddie Dibbs (2) Hamburg, Paris (Jean Becker)
Mark Edmondson (1) Australian Open
Brian Fairlie (1) Manila
Wojciech Fibak (2) Bournemouth, Vienna
Brian Gottfried (1) Los Angeles
Geoff Masters (1) Sydney Indoor
Ilie Năstase (1) South Orange
Manuel Orantes (5) Munich, Kitzbühel, Madrid, Barcelona, Masters
Adriano Panatta (2) Rome, French Open
Víctor Pecci (2) Madrid, Berlin
Raúl Ramírez (2) Gstaad, London
Cliff Richey (1) Bermuda
Ken Rosewall (1) Hong Kong
Ray Ruffels (1) Perth
Harold Solomon (2) Maui, Johannesburg
Roscoe Tanner (4) Cincinnati, Columbus, San Francisco, Tokyo Outdoor
Balázs Taróczy (1) Hilversum
Guillermo Vilas (3) Montreal, São Paulo. Buenos Aires
Kim Warwick (1) Bangalore
Antonio Zugarelli (1) Båstad
The following players won their first Grand Prix title in 1976:
Mark Edmondson Australian Open
Wojtek Fibak Stockholm
Geoff Masters Sydney Indoor
Víctor Pecci Madrid
Kim Warwick Bangalore
Antonio Zugarelli Båstad
See also[]
Notes[]
- ^ This match was stopped at two sets all due to bad light. The final set was played on 15 September during the Grow Professional Doubles Championships.
References[]
- ^ "How it All Began". ATPWorldTour.com. Retrieved 2011-03-03.
- ^ a b John Barrett, ed. (1977). World of Tennis 1977 : a BP yearbook. London: Macdonald and Janes. pp. 25–31. ISBN 9780354090117.
- ^ "$5-Million Tour For Grand Prix Tennis". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. UPI. 23 January 1976.
- ^ "ATP Rankings (singles) as of December 15, 1975". atpworldtour.com. ATP Tour, Inc. 15 December 1975. Retrieved 2012-01-11.
- ^ "ATP Rankings (singles) as of December 12, 1976". atpworldtour.com. ATP Tour, Inc.
- ^ "Tennis - ATP World Tour - Singles Rankings". ATP World Tour. Retrieved 2012-04-03.
- ^ "Tennis - ATP World Tour - Singles Rankings". ATP World Tour. Retrieved 2012-04-03.
External links[]
- ATP Archive 1976: Commercial Union Grand Prix Tournaments
- ATP – History Mens Professional Tours
Further reading[]
- Collins, Bud (2010). The Bud Collins History of Tennis: An Authoritative Encyclopedia and Record Book (2nd ed.). New York: New Chapter Press. ISBN 978-0-942257-70-0.
- 1976 Grand Prix (tennis)
- Grand Prix tennis circuit seasons
- 1976 in tennis