# 1971 World Championship Tennis circuit

The 1971 World Championship Tennis circuit was one of the two rival professional male tennis circuits of 1971. It was organized by World Championship Tennis (WCT) and was the first edition of the circuit. Points were awarded to players based on their tournament results (ten points for the tournament winner, seven points for the runner–up, four points for the semifinalists, two points for the quarterfinalists and one point for reaching the second round). The circuit included twenty regular events and a WCT circuit final taking place in Houston/Dallas in November for the eight players with the highest points total. Each tournament had a minimum prize money of $50,000.

## Overview

| Week | Tournament | Location | Draw | Prize money | Surface | Champions | Runners-up |
| 9 Feb | U.S. Pro Indoor | Philadelphia, U.S. | 32 | $62,500 | Carpet / indoor | John Newcombe | Rod Laver |
| 7 Mar | Australian Open Championships | Sydney, Australia | 64 | $50,000 | Grass / outdoor | Ken Rosewall | Arthur Ashe |
| 22 Mar | Sportface International | Chicago, U.S. | 32 | $50,000 | Carpet / indoor | John Newcombe | Arthur Ashe |
| 29 Mar | Aventura Tennis Classic | Miami, U.S. | 32 | $50,000 | Hard / outdoor | Cliff Drysdale | Rod Laver |
| 26 Apr | Rawlings Classic | Dallas, U.S. | 32 | $50,000 | Carpet / indoor | John Newcombe | Arthur Ashe |
| 3 May | Italian Open | Rome, Italy | 48 | $50,000 | Clay / outdoor | Rod Laver | Jan Kodeš |
| 10 May | Aryamehr Cup | Tehran, Iran | 32 | $50,000 | Clay / outdoor | Marty Riessen | John Alexander |
| 7 Jun | W.D. & H.O. Wills | Bristol, England | 32 | $50,000 | Clay / outdoor | Unfinished (rain) | |
| 12 Jul | Washington Star Open International | Washington, U.S. | 64 | $50,000 | Clay / outdoor | Ken Rosewall | Marty Riessen |
| 19 July | Louisville Classic | Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. | 32 | $50,000 | Clay / outdoor | Tom Okker | Cliff Drysdale |
| 26 Jul | Rothmans International | Quebec City, Canada | 32 | $50,000 | Carpet / indoor | Tom Okker | Rod Laver |
| 2 Aug | U.S. Professional Championships | Boston, U.S. | 32 | $50,000 | Hard / outdoor | Ken Rosewall | Cliff Drysdale |
| 9 Aug | Rothmans Canadian Open | Toronto, Canada | 64 | $50,000 | Clay / outdoor | John Newcombe | Tom Okker |
| 16 Aug | Colonial Pro Championships | Fort Worth, U.S. | 32 | $50,000 | Carpet / indoor | Rod Laver | Marty Riessen |
| 27 Sep | Redwood Bank Pacific Coast Open | Berkeley, U.S. | 64 | $50,000 | Hard / outdoor | Rod Laver | Ken Rosewall |
| 3 Oct | Rothmans International | Vancouver, Canada | 32 | $50,000 | Carpet / indoor | Ken Rosewall | Tom Okker |
| 11 Oct | Profi–Tennis–Weltmeistershaft | Cologne, Germany | 32 | $50,000 | Carpet / indoor | Bob Lutz | Jeff Borowiak |
| 18 Oct | Spanish Open | Barcelona, Spain | 32 | $50,000 | Clay / outdoor | Manuel Orantes | Bob Lutz |
| 30 Oct | Stockholm Open Indoors | Stockholm, Sweden | 32 | $50,000 | Carpet / indoor | Arthur Ashe | Jan Kodeš |
| 8 Nov | Rothmans Open | Bologna, Italy | 32 | $50,000 | Carpet / indoor | Rod Laver | Arthur Ashe |
| 19 Nov | Dallas WCT Finals | Houston/Dallas, U.S. | 8 | $100,000 | Carpet / indoor | Ken Rosewall | Rod Laver |

## Schedule

The schedule of the tournaments on the 1971 WCT circuit, with player progression documented from the quarterfinals stage onward.

### February

| Week | Tournament | Champions | Runners-up | Semifinalists | Quarterfinalists |
| 9 Feb | U.S. Pro Indoor Philadelphia, United States Carpet (i) – $62,500 – 32S/16D Singles | John Newcombe 7–6$^{(7–5)}$, 7–6$^{(7–1)}$, 6–4 | Rod Laver | Arthur Ashe Cliff Drysdale | Brian Fairlie Dennis Ralston Tom Okker Roy Emerson |

### March

| Week | Tournament | Champions | Runners-up | Semifinalists | Quarterfinalists |
| 7 Mar | Australian Open Sydney, Australia Grand Slam Grass – $50,000 – 64S/32D Singles – Doubles | Ken Rosewall 6–1, 7–5, 6–3 | Arthur Ashe | Bob Lutz Tom Okker | Mark Cox Cliff Drysdale Marty Riessen Roy Emerson |
| 7 Mar | Australian Open Sydney, Australia Grand Slam Grass – $50,000 – 64S/32D Singles – Doubles | John Newcombe Tony Roche 6–2, 7–6 | Tom Okker Marty Riessen | Bob Lutz Tom Okker | Mark Cox Cliff Drysdale Marty Riessen Roy Emerson |
| 22 Mar | Sportface International Chicago, United States Carpet (i) – $50,000 – 32S/16D | John Newcombe 4–6, 7–6 6–2, 6–3 | Arthur Ashe | Tom Okker Ken Rosewall | Ray Ruffels Charlie Pasarell Cliff Drysdale Andrés Gimeno |
| 22 Mar | Sportface International Chicago, United States Carpet (i) – $50,000 – 32S/16D | Tom Okker Marty Riessen 7–6, 4–6, 7–6 | John Newcombe Tony Roche | Tom Okker Ken Rosewall | Ray Ruffels Charlie Pasarell Cliff Drysdale Andrés Gimeno |
| 29 Mar | Aventura Tennis Classic Miami, United States Hard – $50,000 – 32S/16D | Cliff Drysdale 6–2, 6–4, 3–6, 6–4 | Rod Laver | Tony Roche Roy Emerson | Nikola Pilić Dennis Ralston Tom Okker John Newcombe |
| 29 Mar | Aventura Tennis Classic Miami, United States Hard – $50,000 – 32S/16D | John Newcombe Tony Roche 7–6, 7–6 | Roy Emerson Rod Laver | Tony Roche Roy Emerson | Nikola Pilić Dennis Ralston Tom Okker John Newcombe |

### April

| Week | Tournament | Champions | Runners-up | Semifinalists | Quarterfinalists |
| 26 Apr | Rawlings Classic Dallas, United States Carpet (i) – 32S/16D | John Newcombe 7–6, 6–4 | Arthur Ashe | Tom Okker Marty Riessen | Mark Cox Bob Maud Cliff Drysdale Bob Lutz |
| 26 Apr | Rawlings Classic Dallas, United States Carpet (i) – 32S/16D | Tom Okker Marty Riessen 6–3, 6–4 | Bob Lutz Charlie Pasarell | Tom Okker Marty Riessen | Mark Cox Bob Maud Cliff Drysdale Bob Lutz |

### May

| Week | Tournament | Champions | Runners-up | Semifinalists | Quarterfinalists |
| 3 May | Italian Open Rome, Italy Clay – 64S/32D Singles – Doubles | Rod Laver 7–5, 6–3, 6–3 | Jan Kodeš | Arthur Ashe Tom Okker | Stan Smith John Newcombe Roy Emerson Cliff Drysdale |
| 3 May | Italian Open Rome, Italy Clay – 64S/32D Singles – Doubles | John Newcombe Tony Roche 6–3, 6–4 | Andrés Gimeno Roger Taylor | Arthur Ashe Tom Okker | Stan Smith John Newcombe Roy Emerson Cliff Drysdale |
| 10 May | Aryamehr Cup Teheran, Iran Clay – $50,000 – 32S/16D | Marty Riessen 6–7, 6–1, 6–3, 7–6 | John Alexander | John Newcombe Arthur Ashe | Rod Laver Andrés Gimeno Tony Roche Roy Emerson |
| 10 May | Aryamehr Cup Teheran, Iran Clay – $50,000 – 32S/16D | John Newcombe Tony Roche 6–4, 6–7, 6–1 | Bob Carmichael Ray Ruffels | John Newcombe Arthur Ashe | Rod Laver Andrés Gimeno Tony Roche Roy Emerson |

### June

| Week | Tournament | Champions | Runners-up | Semifinalists | Quarterfinalists |
| 7 Jun | Wills Open Bristol, England Clay – $48,000 – 32S/16D | Tournament not completed (rain) | | Arthur Ashe Cliff Drysdale Rod Laver Bob Maud | Ken Rosewall Tom Okker Marty Riessen Roy Emerson |
| 7 Jun | Wills Open Bristol, England Clay – $48,000 – 32S/16D | Tournament not completed (rain) | | Arthur Ashe Cliff Drysdale Rod Laver Bob Maud | Ken Rosewall Tom Okker Marty Riessen Roy Emerson |

### July

| Week | Tournament | Champions | Runners-up | Semifinalists | Quarterfinalists |
| 12 Jul | Washington Star International Washington, United States Clay – $50,000 – 64S / 32D Singles – Doubles | Ken Rosewall 6–2, 7–5, 6–1 | Marty Riessen | Stan Smith John Newcombe | Dennis Ralston Ismail El Shafei Cliff Drysdale Andrés Gimeno |
| 12 Jul | Washington Star International Washington, United States Clay – $50,000 – 64S / 32D Singles – Doubles | Tom Okker Marty Riessen 7–6, 6–2 | Bob Carmichael Ray Ruffels | Stan Smith John Newcombe | Dennis Ralston Ismail El Shafei Cliff Drysdale Andrés Gimeno |
| 19 Jul | First National Tennis Classic Louisville, United States Clay – $50,000 – 32S/16D | Tom Okker 3–6, 6–4, 6–1 | Cliff Drysdale | Nikola Pilić Ray Ruffels | John Alexander Dennis Ralston Roy Emerson Ismail El Shafei |
| 19 Jul | First National Tennis Classic Louisville, United States Clay – $50,000 – 32S/16D | Roy Emerson Rod Laver Not played | Ken Rosewall Fred Stolle | Nikola Pilić Ray Ruffels | John Alexander Dennis Ralston Roy Emerson Ismail El Shafei |
| 26 Jul | Rothmans International Quebec Quebec City, Canada Carpet (i) – 32S / 16D Singles – Doubles | Tom Okker 6–3, 7–6, 6–7, 6–4 | Rod Laver | Bob Lutz Cliff Drysdale | Charlie Pasarell Roy Emerson Arthur Ashe Ray Ruffels |
| 26 Jul | Rothmans International Quebec Quebec City, Canada Carpet (i) – 32S / 16D Singles – Doubles | Roy Emerson Rod Laver 7–6, 6–2 | Tom Okker Marty Riessen | Bob Lutz Cliff Drysdale | Charlie Pasarell Roy Emerson Arthur Ashe Ray Ruffels |

### August

| Week | Tournament | Champions | Runners-up | Semifinalists | Quarterfinalists |
| 2 Aug | U.S. Pro Tennis Championships Boston, United States Hard – $50,000 – 32S/16D Singles – Doubles | Ken Rosewall 6–4, 6–3, 6–0 | Cliff Drysdale | Marty Riessen John Newcombe | Arthur Ashe Rod Laver Tom Okker John Alexander |
| 2 Aug | U.S. Pro Tennis Championships Boston, United States Hard – $50,000 – 32S/16D Singles – Doubles | Roy Emerson Rod Laver 6–4, 6–4 | Tom Okker Marty Riessen | Marty Riessen John Newcombe | Arthur Ashe Rod Laver Tom Okker John Alexander |
| 9 Aug | Rothmans Canadian Open Toronto, Canada Clay – 64S/32D | John Newcombe 7–6, 3–6, 6–2, 7–6 | Tom Okker | Ken Rosewall Andrés Gimeno | Roger Taylor Marcelo Lara Cliff Drysdale Marty Riessen |
| 9 Aug | Rothmans Canadian Open Toronto, Canada Clay – 64S/32D | Marty Riessen Tom Okker 6–3, 6–3, 6–1 | Arthur Ashe Dennis Ralston | Ken Rosewall Andrés Gimeno | Roger Taylor Marcelo Lara Cliff Drysdale Marty Riessen |
| 16 Aug | Colonial National Invitational Fort Worth, United States Hard – 32S/16D | Rod Laver 2–6, 6–4, 3–6, 7–5, 6–3 | Marty Riessen | Roy Emerson Cliff Drysdale | Charlie Pasarell Ken Rosewall John Alexander Dennis Ralston |
| 16 Aug | Colonial National Invitational Fort Worth, United States Hard – 32S/16D | Roy Emerson Rod Laver 6–4, 7–5 | Tom Okker Marty Riessen | Roy Emerson Cliff Drysdale | Charlie Pasarell Ken Rosewall John Alexander Dennis Ralston |

### September

| Week | Tournament | Champions | Runners-up | Semifinalists | Quarterfinalists |
| 27 Sep | Redwood Bank Pacific Coast Open San Francisco, United States Hard – $50,000 – 64S/32D Singles – Doubles | Rod Laver 6–4, 6–4, 7–6 | Ken Rosewall | Tom Okker Arthur Ashe | Bob Lutz Marty Riessen Cliff Richey Cliff Drysdale |
| 27 Sep | Redwood Bank Pacific Coast Open San Francisco, United States Hard – $50,000 – 64S/32D Singles – Doubles | Roy Emerson Rod Laver 6–3, 6–3 | Ken Rosewall Fred Stolle | Tom Okker Arthur Ashe | Bob Lutz Marty Riessen Cliff Richey Cliff Drysdale |

### October

| Week | Tournament | Champions | Runners-up | Semifinalists | Quarterfinalists |
| 3 Oct | Rothmans International Vancouver Vancouver, Canada Carpet (i) – $50,000 – 32S/16D Singles – Doubles | Ken Rosewall 6–2, 6–2, 6–4 | Tom Okker | Roy Emerson Rod Laver | Marty Riessen Nikola Pilić Bob Carmichael Andrés Gimeno |
| 3 Oct | Rothmans International Vancouver Vancouver, Canada Carpet (i) – $50,000 – 32S/16D Singles – Doubles | Roy Emerson Rod Laver 5–7, 6–7, 6–0, 7–5, 7–6 | John Alexander Phil Dent | Roy Emerson Rod Laver | Marty Riessen Nikola Pilić Bob Carmichael Andrés Gimeno |
| 11 Oct | World Professional Tennis Championship Cologne, West Germany | Bob Lutz 6–3, 6–7, 6–3, 6–1 | Jeff Borowiak | Tom Okker Cliff Drysdale | Rod Laver Andrés Gimeno Mark Cox Ken Rosewall |
| 11 Oct | World Professional Tennis Championship Cologne, West Germany | Tom Okker Marty Riessen 6–7, 3–6, 7–6, 6–3, 6–4 | Roy Emerson Rod Laver | Tom Okker Cliff Drysdale | Rod Laver Andrés Gimeno Mark Cox Ken Rosewall |
| 18 Oct | Torneo Godó Barcelona, Spain Clay – $70,000 – 64S/32D | Manuel Orantes 6–4, 6–3, 6–4 | Bob Lutz | Marty Riessen Martin Mulligan | Ken Rosewall Rod Laver John Newcombe Fred Stolle |
| 18 Oct | Torneo Godó Barcelona, Spain Clay – $70,000 – 64S/32D | Željko Franulović Juan Gisbert 7–6, 6–2, 7–6 | Cliff Drysdale Andrés Gimeno | Marty Riessen Martin Mulligan | Ken Rosewall Rod Laver John Newcombe Fred Stolle |
| 30 Oct | Stockholm Open Stockholm, Sweden Hard – $50,000 – 64S/32D Singles – Doubles | Arthur Ashe 6–1, 3–6, 6–2, 1–6, 6–4 | Jan Kodeš | Andrés Gimeno Cliff Drysdale | Tom Okker Rod Laver Mark Cox John Alexander |
| 30 Oct | Stockholm Open Stockholm, Sweden Hard – $50,000 – 64S/32D Singles – Doubles | Tom Gorman Stan Smith 6–3, 6–4 | Arthur Ashe Bob Lutz | Andrés Gimeno Cliff Drysdale | Tom Okker Rod Laver Mark Cox John Alexander |

### November

| Week | Tournament | Champions | Runners-up | Semifinalists | Quarterfinalists |
| 8 Nov | Bologna Indoor Bologna, Italy Carpet (i) – $50,000 – 41S/16D Doubles | Rod Laver 6–3, 6–4, 6–4 | Arthur Ashe | Charlie Pasarell Ken Rosewall | Bob Lutz Tom Okker Cliff Drysdale Marty Riessen |
| 8 Nov | Bologna Indoor Bologna, Italy Carpet (i) – $50,000 – 41S/16D Doubles | Ken Rosewall Fred Stolle 6–7, 6–2, 6–3, 6–3 | Robert Maud Frew McMillan | Charlie Pasarell Ken Rosewall | Bob Lutz Tom Okker Cliff Drysdale Marty Riessen |
| 19 Nov | WCT Finals Dallas, United States Carpet (i) – $100,000 – 8S Singles | Ken Rosewall 6–4, 1–6, 7–6$^{(7–3)}$, 7–6$^{(7–4)}$ | Rod Laver | Tom Okker Arthur Ashe | John Newcombe Bob Lutz Cliff Drysdale Marty Riessen |

## Standings
### Key

* Qualified for Tour Finals
| Rk | Name | Country | Tournaments played | Tournaments won | Matches won | Matches lost | Points | Prize money (USD) |
| 1 | Rod Laver | AUS | 19 | 4 | 54 | 14 | 87.25 | 289,841 |
| 2 | Tom Okker | NED | 20 | 2 | 52 | 17 | 75 | 120,564 |
| 3 | Ken Rosewall | AUS | 18 | 4 | 51 | 14 | 74 | 137,687 |
| 4 | Cliff Drysdale | RSA | 20 | 1 | 52 | 18 | 69.25 | 69,078 |
| 5 | Arthur Ashe | USA | 20 | 1 | 43 | 18 | 68.25 | 99,746 |
| 6 | John Newcombe | AUS | 12 | 4 | 36 | 8 | 60 | 97,764 |
| 7 | Marty Riessen | USA | 20 | 1 | 41 | 19 | 55 | 76,069 |
| 8 | Bob Lutz | USA | 20 | 1 | 31 | 19 | 41 | 58,392 |
| 9 | Roy Emerson | AUS | 19 | – | 31 | 18 | 34 | 46,052 |
| 10 | Andrés Gimeno | ESP | 18 | – | 29 | 18 | 30 | 34,512 |
$_{Source:WorldofTennis'72}$