The 1975 World Championship Tennis circuit was one of the two rival professional male tennis circuits of 1975. It was organized by World Championship Tennis (WCT). The 1975 circuit divided the players in three groups, Red, Blue and Green who played 24 tournaments in 12 countries. The first tournament, U.S. Professional Indoor Championships , was a combined event as was the season's final which was played in Dallas by the eight best performers and was won by American Arthur Ashe who defeated Björn Borg from Sweden in four sets.[ 1]
Additionally there were three special non–ranking events; the CBS Classic (Puerto Rico, 13–19 January), the Aetna World Cup team contest between Australia and America (Hartford, 6–9 March) and the Rothmans International Trophy an eight-nation contest between 16 players (London, 4–8 March).
The total prize money for the 1975 WCT circuit was $2,068,500 which included $100,000 bonus money.[ 1]
Week
Tournament
Location
Champions
Runners-up
Score
20 Jan
U.S. Pro Indoor
Philadelphia , Pennsylvania, U.S.
Marty Riessen
Vitas Gerulaitis
7–6(7–1) , 5–7, 6–2, 6–7(0–7) , 6–3
27 Jan
Fidelity Tournament
Richmond , Virginia, U.S.
Björn Borg
Arthur Ashe
4–6, 6–4, 6–4
3 Feb
St. Petersburg WCT
St. Petersburg , Florida, U.S.
Raúl Ramírez
Roscoe Tanner
6–0, 1–6, 6–2
6 Feb
WCT International
Bologna , Italy
Björn Borg
Arthur Ashe
7–6(7–4) , 4–6, 7–6(7–4)
10 Feb
Rothmans Toronto WCT
Toronto , Canada
Harold Solomon
Stan Smith
6–4, 6–1
17 Feb
Fort Worth WCT
Fort Worth , Texas, U.S.
John Alexander
Dick Stockton
7–6, 4–6, 6–3
17 Feb
La Costa WCT
La Costa , California, U.S.
Rod Laver
Allan Stone
6–2, 6–2
17 Feb
Barcelona WCT
Barcelona , Spain
Arthur Ashe
Björn Borg
7–6, 6–3
23 Feb
San Antonio WCT
San Antonio , Texas, U.S.
Dick Stockton
Stan Smith
7–5, 2–6, 7–6
25 Feb
Rotterdam WTT
Rotterdam , Netherlands
Arthur Ashe
Tom Okker
3–6, 6–2, 6–4
10 Mar
Washington WCT
Washington, D.C. , U.S.
Mark Cox
Dick Stockton
6–2, 7–6
10 Mar
São Paulo WCT
São Paulo , Brazil
Rod Laver
Charlie Pasarell
6–4, 6–4
10 Mar
Munich WCT
Munich , West Germany
Arthur Ashe
Björn Borg
6–4, 7–6
17 Mar
Memphis WCT
Memphis , Tennessee, U.S.
Harold Solomon
Jiří Hřebec
2–6, 6–1, 6–4
17 Mar
Caracas WCT
Caracas , Venezuela
Rod Laver
Raúl Ramírez
7–6, 6–2
23 Mar
Monte Carlo WCT
Roquebrune-Cap-Martin , France
Manuel Orantes
Bob Hewitt
6–2, 6–4
24 Mar
Atlanta WCT
Atlanta , Georgia, U.S.
Mark Cox
John Alexander
6–3, 7–6
24 Mar
Orlando WCT
Orlando , Florida, U.S.
Rod Laver
Vitas Gerulaitis
6–3, 6–4
7 Apr
St. Louis WCT
St. Louis , Missouri, U.S.
Vitas Gerulaitis
Roscoe Tanner
2–6, 6–2, 6–3
11 Apr
Johannesburg WCT
Johannesburg , South Africa
Buster Mottram
Tom Okker
6–4, 6–2
14 Apr
Tokyo WCT
Tokyo, Japan
Bob Lutz
Stan Smith
6–4, 6–4
14 Apr
Denver WCT
Denver , Colorado, U.S.
Jimmy Connors
Brian Gottfried
6–3, 6–4
21 Apr
Houston
Houston , Texas, U.S.
Ken Rosewall
Cliff Drysdale
6–3, 3–6, 6–1
21 Apr
Charlotte WCT
Charlotte , North Carolina, U.S.
Raúl Ramírez
Roscoe Tanner
3–6, 6–4, 6–3
21 Apr
Stockholm WCT
Stockholm , Sweden
Arthur Ashe
Tom Okker
6–4, 6–2
7 May
Dallas WCT Finals
Dallas , Texas, U.S.
Arthur Ashe
Björn Borg
3–6, 6–4, 6–4, 6–0
This is the complete schedule of events on the 1975 WCT circuit, with player progression documented until the quarterfinals stage.[ 2]
Week
Tournament
Champions
Runners-up
Semifinalists
Quarterfinalists
20 Jan
U.S. Pro Indoor Philadelphia , United States Carpet (i) – $115,000 – 128S/64D Singles – Doubles
Marty Riessen 7–6(7–1) , 5–7, 6–2, 6–7(0–7) , 6–3
Vitas Gerulaitis
Jaime Fillol John Alexander
Tony Roche Paul Gerken Arthur Ashe Cliff Richey
Brian Gottfried Raúl Ramírez 3–6, 6–3, 7–6(7–4)
Dick Stockton Erik van Dillen
27 Jan
Fidelity Tournament Richmond , United States Green group Carpet (i) – $60,000 – 32S/16D Singles – Doubles
Björn Borg 4–6, 6–4, 6–4
Arthur Ashe
Kim Warwick Tom Okker
Jeff Borowiak Adriano Panatta Onny Parun Bob Giltinan
Fred McNair Hans Kary 7–6(8–6) , 5–7, 7–6(8–6)
Paolo Bertolucci Adriano Panatta
Week
Tournament
Champions
Runners-up
Semifinalists
Quarterfinalists
3 Feb
Havatampa–Raymond James Classic St. Petersburg , United States Hard – $60,000 – 32S/16D Blue group
Raúl Ramírez 6–0, 1–6, 6–2
Roscoe Tanner
Rod Laver Geoff Masters
Jaime Fillol Sandy Mayer Brian Gottfried Andrew Pattison
Brian Gottfried Raúl Ramírez 6–4, 6–4
Charlie Pasarell Roscoe Tanner
6 Feb
WCT International Bologna , Italy Carpet (i) – $60,000 – 32S/16D Green group Singles – Doubles
Björn Borg 7–6(7–4) , 4–6, 7–6(7–4)
Arthur Ashe
Tom Okker Bob Hewitt
Niki Pilić Onny Parun Bob Giltinan Adriano Panatta
Paolo Bertolucci Adriano Panatta 6–3, 3–6, 6–3
Arthur Ashe Tom Okker
10 Feb
Rothmans Toronto WCT Toronto , Canada Carpet (i) – $60,000 – 32S/16D Red group
Harold Solomon 6–4, 6–1
Stan Smith
Erik van Dillen Marty Riessen
Paul Gerken Cliff Richey Bob Lutz Phil Dent
Dick Stockton Erik van Dillen 6–4, 7–5, 6–1
Vijay Amritraj Ashok Amritraj
17 Feb
Fort Worth WCT Fort Worth , United States Hard – $60,000 – 32S/16D Red group
John Alexander 7–6(7–2) , 4–6, 6–3
Dick Stockton
Cliff Drysdale Vijay Amritraj
Harold Solomon Mark Cox Jiří Hřebec Milan Holeček
Bob Lutz Stan Smith 6–7, 7–6, 6–3
John Alexander Phil Dent
17 Feb
Carlsbad WCT Carlsbad , United States Hard – $60,000 – 32S/16D Blue group
Rod Laver 6–2, 6–2
Allan Stone
Roscoe Tanner Alex Metreveli
Ismail El Shafei Ross Case Geoff Masters Raymond Moore
Brian Gottfried Raúl Ramírez 7–5, 6–4
Charlie Pasarell Roscoe Tanner
17 Feb
Barcelona WCT Barcelona , Spain Carpet (i) – $60,000 – 32S/16D Green group
Arthur Ashe 7–6, 6–3
Björn Borg
Onny Parun José Higueras
Steve Krulevitz Bob Hewitt Kjell Johansson Kevin Warwick
Arthur Ashe Tom Okker 7–5, 6–1
Paolo Bertolucci Adriano Panatta
23 Feb
San Antonio WCT San Antonio , United States Hard – $60,000 – 32S/16D Red group
Dick Stockton 7–5, 2–6, 7–6
Stan Smith
John Alexander Bob Lutz
Paul Gerken Mike Estep Marty Riessen Phil Dent
John Alexander Phil Dent 7–6, 4–6, 6–4
Mark Cox Cliff Drysdale
24 Feb
Rotterdam WTT Rotterdam , Netherlands Carpet (i) – $60,000 – 32S/16D Green group Singles – Doubles
Arthur Ashe 3–6, 6–2, 6–4
Tom Okker
Patrice Dominguez Björn Borg
Bob Hewitt Steve Krulevitz Kevin Warwick Frew McMillan
Bob Hewitt Frew McMillan 6–2, 6–2
José Higueras Balázs Taróczy
Week
Tournament
Champions
Runners-up
Semifinalists
Quarterfinalists
10 Mar
Xerox Tennis Classic Washington, D.C. , United States Hard – $60,000 – 32S/16D Red group
Mark Cox 6–2, 7–6
Dick Stockton
Stan Smith Haroon Rahim
John Alexander Bob Lutz Phil Dent Eddie Dibbs
Mike Estep Jeff Simpson 7–6, 6–3
Vijay Amritraj Ashok Amritraj
10 Mar
São Paulo WCT São Paulo , Brazil Carpet (i) – $60,000 – 32S/16D Blue group
Rod Laver 6–4, 6–4
Charlie Pasarell
Thomas Koch Roscoe Tanner
Vitas Gerulaitis Alex Metreveli Ray Ruffels Brian Fairlie
Ross Case Geoff Masters 6–7, 7–6, 7–6
Brian Gottfried Raúl Ramírez
10 Mar
Munich WCT Munich , West Germany Carpet (i) – $60,000 – 32S/16D Green group Singles
Arthur Ashe 6–4, 7–6
Björn Borg
Niki Pilić Buster Mottram
Kjell Johansson Balázs Taróczy Corrado Barazzutti Bob Hewitt
Bob Hewitt Frew McMillan 6–3, 6–4
Corrado Barazzutti Antonio Zugarelli
17 Mar
Memphis WCT Memphis , United States Carpet (i) – $60,000 – 32S/16D Red group
Harold Solomon 2–6, 6–1, 6–4
Jiří Hřebec
John Alexander Mark Cox
Cliff Richey Vijay Amritraj Bob Lutz Phil Dent
Dick Stockton Erik van Dillen 1–6, 7–5, 6–4
Mark Cox Cliff Drysdale
17 Mar
Caracas WCT Caracas , Venezuela Hard – $60,000 – 32S/16D Blue group
Rod Laver 7–6, 6–2
Raúl Ramírez
Jeff Borowiak Roscoe Tanner
Ismail El Shafei Allan Stone Raymond Moore Roy Emerson
Ross Case Geoff Masters 7–5, 4–6, 6–2
Brian Gottfried Raúl Ramírez
23 Mar
Monte Carlo WCT Monte Carlo , Monaco Clay – $60,000 – 32S/16D Green group
Manuel Orantes 6–2, 6–4
Bob Hewitt
José Higueras John Lloyd
Dick Crealy Adriano Panatta Buster Mottram Björn Borg
Bob Hewitt Frew McMillan 6–3, 6–2
Arthur Ashe Tom Okker
24 Mar
First National Bank Classic Atlanta , United States Carpet (i) – $60,000 – 32S/16D Red group
Mark Cox 6–3, 7–6(7–3)
John Alexander
Cliff Richey Harold Solomon
Stan Smith Phil Dent Dick Stockton Milan Holeček
Vijay Amritraj Ashok Amritraj 6–3, 6–2
Mark Cox Cliff Drysdale
24 Mar
Orlando WCT Orlando , United States Hard – $60,000 – 32S/16D Blue group
Rod Laver 6–3, 6–4
Vitas Gerulaitis
Brian Gottfried Andrew Pattison
Jeff Borowiak Roscoe Tanner Raúl Ramírez Allan Stone
Brian Gottfried Raúl Ramírez 6–4, 6–4
Colin Dibley Ray Ruffels
Week
Tournament
Champions
Runners-up
Semifinalists
Quarterfinalists
7 Apr
St. Louis Tennis Classic St. Louis , United States Carpet (i) – $60,000 – 32S/16D Blue group
Vitas Gerulaitis 2–6, 6–2, 6–3
Roscoe Tanner
Rod Laver Brian Gottfried
Jeff Borowiak Brian Fairlie Jaime Fillol Raúl Ramírez
Colin Dibley Ray Ruffels 6–4, 6–4
Ross Case Geoff Masters
11 Apr
Johannesburg WCT Johannesburg , South Africa Hard – $60,000 – 32S/16D Green group
Buster Mottram 6–4, 6–2
Tom Okker
Björn Borg Frew McMillan
Bob Hewitt Onny Parun Kevin Warwick Arthur Ashe
Arthur Ashe Tom Okker 6–3, 6–2
Bob Hewitt Frew McMillan
14 Apr
Tokyo WCT Tokyo, Japan Carpet (i) – $60,000 – 32S/16D Red group
Bob Lutz 6–4, 6–4
Stan Smith
John Alexander Mark Cox
Harold Solomon Dick Stockton Cliff Drysdale Marty Riessen
Bob Lutz Stan Smith 6–4, 6–7(6–8) , 6–2
John Alexander Phil Dent
14 Apr
Denver WCT Denver , United States Carpet (i) – $60,000 – 32S/16D Blue group
Jimmy Connors 6–3, 6–4
Brian Gottfried
Sandy Mayer Ismail El Shafei
Thomas Koch Raúl Ramírez Vitas Gerulaitis Jaime Fillol
Roy Emerson Rod Laver 6–2, 3–6, 7–5
Bob Carmichael Allan Stone
21 Apr
Houston WCT Houston , United States Clay – $60,000 – 32S/16D Red group
Ken Rosewall 6–3, 3–6, 6–1
Cliff Drysdale
Harold Solomon Vijay Amritraj
John Alexander Phil Dent Bob Lutz Eddie Dibbs
Bob Lutz Stan Smith 7–5, 7–6
Mike Estep Russell Simpson
21 Apr
Charlotte WCT Charlotte , United States Clay – $60,000 – 32S/16D Blue group
Raúl Ramírez 3–6, 6–4, 6–3
Roscoe Tanner
Rod Laver Andrew Pattison
Iván Molina Jaime Fillol Brian Fairlie Brian Gottfried
Patricio Cornejo Jaime Fillol 6–3, 5–7, 6–4
Ismail El Shafei Brian Fairlie
21 Apr
Stockholm WCT Stockholm , Sweden Carpet (i) – $60,000 – 32S/16D Green group
Arthur Ashe 6–4, 6–2
Tom Okker
Onny Parun Fred McNair
Buster Mottram José Higueras Corrado Barazzutti Tenny Svensson
Arthur Ashe Tom Okker 6–3, 7–6
Patrice Dominguez Kevin Warwick
Player
Tournaments played
Tournaments won
Matches won
Matches lost
Points
Prize money
Rod Laver *
9
4
30
5
700
$109,731
Roscoe Tanner *
9
0
25
9
590
$52,962
Raúl Ramírez *
9
2
22
7
550
$86,680
Brian Gottfried
9
0
19
9
450
$68,300
Vitas Gerulaitis
6
1
19
5
420
$40,300
Jaime Fillol
9
0
14
9
390
$22,200
Allan Stone
9
0
10
9
350
$19,000
Andrew Pattison
9
0
11
9
420
$26,328
Jeff Borowiak
9
0
11
9
330
$22,610
Ismail El Shafei
9
0
11
9
330
$15,600
Player
Tournaments played
Tournaments won
Matches won
Matches lost
Points
Prize money
Arthur Ashe *
9
4
35
5
760
$177,161
Björn Borg *
9
2
27
7
640
$78,140
Tom Okker
8
0
19
8
470
$41,292
Buster Mottram
9
1
15
8
400
$27,250
Bob Hewitt
8
0
15
8
395
$33,370
Onny Parun
8
0
13
8
350
$18,250
Kim Warwick
8
0
12
8
340
$18,700
José Higueras
9
0
9
9
330
$16,750
Patrice Dominguez
9
0
9
9
290
$13,350
Bob Giltinan
9
0
8
9
280
$11,930
Player
Tournaments played
Tournaments won
Matches won
Matches lost
Points
Prize money
John Alexander *
9
1
26
8
610
$94,075
Harold Solomon *
9
2
22
7
540
$46,950
Mark Cox *
9
2
22
7
520
$75,822
Stan Smith
9
0
19
9
500
$46,189
Dick Stockton
9
1
19
8
490
$60,275
Bob Lutz
9
1
19
7
470
$41,647
Phil Dent
9
0
14
9
390
$25,200
Cliff Drysdale
9
0
14
9
390
$40,408
Vijay Amritraj
9
0
11
9
350
$25,750
Marty Riessen
9
0
8
9
350
$42,259
* Qualified for the WCT Finals . The best two players from each group qualified plus the next two players with the highest points total.