# 1978 WTA Tour

The 1978 WTA Tour consisted of a number of tennis tournaments for female tennis players. It was composed of two subsidiary circuits, the streamlined winter version of the Virginia Slims Circuit (which was now an 11-week tour of the United States) and the world wide Colgate International Series. The tour was administered by the Women's International Professional Tennis Council.

## Schedule

This is a calendar of all events which were part of either the Virginia Slims circuit or the Colgate Series in the year 1978, with player progression documented from the quarterfinals stage. Also included are the Grand Slam tournaments, the 1978 Virginia Slims Championships, the 1978 Federation Cup and a number of events not affiliated with either tour.

### Key

* Grand Slam tournaments
* Virginia Slims/Colgate Series championships
* Virginia Slims Circuit
* Colgate International Series
* Non-tour events
* Team events

### November (1977)

| Week | Tournament | Champions | Runners-up | Semifinalists | Quarterfinalists |
| 14 Nov | Colgate International of Australia Sydney, Australia Colgate Series (AAAA) Grass – $100,000 | Evonne Goolagong Cawley 6–1, 6–3 | Kerry Reid | Dianne Fromholtz Greer Stevens | Terry Holladay Pam Teeguarden Jeanne Evert Betty Stöve |
| Terry Holladay Pam Teeguarden Jeanne Evert Betty Stöve ||
| 21 Nov | Toyota Classic Melbourne, Australia Colgate Series (AA) Grass – $75,000 | Evonne Goolagong Cawley 6–4, 6–1 | Wendy Turnbull | Sue Barker Betty Stöve | Pam Whytcross Kerry Reid Dianne Fromholtz Helen Gourlay Cawley |
| 21 Nov | Toyota Classic Melbourne, Australia Colgate Series (AA) Grass – $75,000 | Evonne Goolagong Cawley Betty Stöve 6–3, 6–0 | Patricia Bostrom Kym Ruddell | Sue Barker Betty Stöve | Pam Whytcross Kerry Reid Dianne Fromholtz Helen Gourlay Cawley |
| 28 Novr | South African Open Johannesburg, South Africa Colgate Series (A) Hard – $35,000 | Linky Boshoff 6–4, 6–1 | Brigitte Cuypers | Yvonne Vermaak Sharon Walsh | Niekle Scheepers Jeanne Evert Marise Kruger Alison McDade |
| 28 Novr | South African Open Johannesburg, South Africa Colgate Series (A) Hard – $35,000 | Linky Boshoff Ilana Kloss 5–7, 6–3, 6–3 | Brigitte Cuypers Marise Kruger | Yvonne Vermaak Sharon Walsh | Niekle Scheepers Jeanne Evert Marise Kruger Alison McDade |

### December (1977)

| Week | Tournament | Champions | Runners-up | Semifinalists | Quarterfinalists |
| 5 Dec | Bremar Cup London, Great Britain Colgate Series (A) Hard – $35,000 | Billie Jean King 6–3, 6–1 | Virginia Wade | Betty Stöve Virginia Ruzici | Tanya Harford Sharon Walsh Florența Mihai Renáta Tomanová |
| 5 Dec | Bremar Cup London, Great Britain Colgate Series (A) Hard – $35,000 | Billie Jean King Renáta Tomanová 6–2, 6–3 | Betty Stöve Virginia Wade | Betty Stöve Virginia Ruzici | Tanya Harford Sharon Walsh Florența Mihai Renáta Tomanová |
| 12 Dec | Marlboro NSW Open Sydney, Australia Colgate Series (A) Grass – $35,000 | Evonne Goolagong Cawley 6–2, 6–3 | Sue Barker | Kerry Reid Regina Maršíková | |
| 12 Dec | Marlboro NSW Open Sydney, Australia Colgate Series (A) Grass – $35,000 | Evonne Goolagong Cawley Helen Gourlay Cawley 6–0, 6–0 | Mona Guerrant Kerry Reid | Kerry Reid Regina Maršíková | |
| 19 Dec 26 Dec | Australian Open Melbourne, Australia Grand Slam (A) Grass – 32S/16D Singles – Doubles | Evonne Goolagong Cawley 6–3, 6–0 | Helen Gourlay Cawley | Kerry Reid Sue Barker | Judy Dalton Kathleen Harter Mona Guerrant Rayni Fox |
| Judy Dalton Kathleen Harter Mona Guerrant Rayni Fox ||

### January

| Week | Tournament | Champions | Runners-up | Semifinalists | Quarterfinalists |
| 2 Jan | Virginia Slims of Washington Washington, United States Virginia Slims Carpet (i) – $100,000 – 32S/16D | Martina Navratilova 7–5, 6–4 | Betty Stöve | Dianne Fromholtz JoAnne Russell | Greer Stevens Kathy May Virginia Ruzici Nancy Richey |
| 2 Jan | Virginia Slims of Washington Washington, United States Virginia Slims Carpet (i) – $100,000 – 32S/16D | Billie Jean King Martina Navratilova 6–3, 7–5 | Betty Stöve Wendy Turnbull | Dianne Fromholtz JoAnne Russell | Greer Stevens Kathy May Virginia Ruzici Nancy Richey |
| 9 Jan | Virginia Slims of Hollywood Hollywood, United States Virginia Slims Carpet (i) – $100,000 – 32S/16D | Evonne Goolagong Cawley 6–2, 6–3 | Wendy Turnbull | Betty Stöve Virginia Wade | Tracy Austin Marita Redondo Nancy Richey Kathy Teacher |
| 9 Jan | Virginia Slims of Hollywood Hollywood, United States Virginia Slims Carpet (i) – $100,000 – 32S/16D | Rosie Casals Wendy Turnbull 6–2, 6–4 | Françoise Dürr Virginia Wade | Betty Stöve Virginia Wade | Tracy Austin Marita Redondo Nancy Richey Kathy Teacher |
| 16 Jan | Virginia Slims of Houston Houston, United States Virginia Slims Carpet (i) – $100,000 – 32S/16D | Martina Navratilova 1–6, 6–2, 6–2 | Billie Jean King | Betty Stöve Virginia Wade | Yvonne Vermaak Sue Barker Rosie Casals Wendy Turnbull |
| 16 Jan | Virginia Slims of Houston Houston, United States Virginia Slims Carpet (i) – $100,000 – 32S/16D | Billie Jean King Martina Navratilova 7–6$^{(5–4)}$, 4–6, 7–6$^{(5–4)}$ | Greer Stevens Mona Guerrant | Betty Stöve Virginia Wade | Yvonne Vermaak Sue Barker Rosie Casals Wendy Turnbull |
| 23 Jan | Virginia Slims of Los Angeles Los Angeles, United States Virginia Slims Carpet (i) – $100,000 – 32S/16D | Martina Navratilova 6–3, 6–2 | Rosie Casals | Marise Kruger Greer Stevens | Yvonne Vermaak Sue Barker Virginia Wade Tracy Austin |
| 23 Jan | Virginia Slims of Los Angeles Los Angeles, United States Virginia Slims Carpet (i) – $100,000 – 32S/16D | Betty Stöve Virginia Wade 6–3, 6–2 | Pam Teeguarden Greer Stevens | Marise Kruger Greer Stevens | Yvonne Vermaak Sue Barker Virginia Wade Tracy Austin |
| 30 Jan | Virginia Slims of Chicago Chicago, United States Virginia Slims Carpet (i) – $100,000 – 32S/16D | Martina Navratilova 6–7$^{(4–5)}$, 6–2, 6–2 | Evonne Goolagong Cawley | Betty Stöve Virginia Wade | Kerry Reid Sue Barker Wendy Turnbull Rosie Casals |
| 30 Jan | Virginia Slims of Chicago Chicago, United States Virginia Slims Carpet (i) – $100,000 – 32S/16D | Betty Stöve Evonne Goolagong Cawley 6–1, 6–4 | Rosie Casals JoAnne Russell | Betty Stöve Virginia Wade | Kerry Reid Sue Barker Wendy Turnbull Rosie Casals |

### February

| Week | Tournament | Champions | Runners-up | Semifinalists | Quarterfinalists |
| 6 Feb | Virginia Slims of Seattle Seattle, United States Virginia Slims Carpet (i) – $100,000 – 32S/15D | Martina Navratilova 6–1, 1–6, 6–1 | Betty Stöve | Wendy Turnbull Marita Redondo | Kathy May Rosie Casals Kerry Reid JoAnne Russell |
| 6 Feb | Virginia Slims of Seattle Seattle, United States Virginia Slims Carpet (i) – $100,000 – 32S/15D | Kerry Reid Wendy Turnbull 6–2, 6–3 | Patricia Bostrom Marita Redondo | Wendy Turnbull Marita Redondo | Kathy May Rosie Casals Kerry Reid JoAnne Russell |
| 20 Feb | Virginia Slims of Detroit Detroit, United States Virginia Slims Carpet (i) – $100,000 – 32S/16D | Martina Navratilova 6–3, 6–2 | Dianne Fromholtz | Virginia Wade Billie Jean King | Kerry Reid Greer Stevens Sharon Walsh Evonne Goolagong Cawley |
| 20 Feb | Virginia Slims of Detroit Detroit, United States Virginia Slims Carpet (i) – $100,000 – 32S/16D | Billie Jean King Martina Navratilova 6–3, 6–4 | Kerry Melville Wendy Turnbull | Virginia Wade Billie Jean King | Kerry Reid Greer Stevens Sharon Walsh Evonne Goolagong Cawley |
| 27 Feb | Virginia Slims of Kansas Kansas, United States Virginia Slims Carpet (i) – $100,000 – 34S/16D | Martina Navratilova 7–5, 2–6, 6–3 | Billie Jean King | Virginia Wade Wendy Turnbull | Kerry Reid Brigitte Cuypers Rosie Casals Evonne Goolagong Cawley |
| 27 Feb | Virginia Slims of Kansas Kansas, United States Virginia Slims Carpet (i) – $100,000 – 34S/16D | Billie Jean King Martina Navratilova 6–4, 6–4 | Kerry Reid Wendy Turnbull | Virginia Wade Wendy Turnbull | Kerry Reid Brigitte Cuypers Rosie Casals Evonne Goolagong Cawley |

### March

| Week | Tournament | Champions | Runners-up | Semifinalists | Quarterfinalists |
| 6 Mar | Virginia Slims of Dallas Dallas, United States Virginia Slims Carpet (i) – $100,000 – 32S/14D | Evonne Goolagong Cawley 4–6, 6–0, 6–2 | Tracy Austin | Pam Shriver (3rd) Anne Smith (4th) | Martina Navratilova Marise Kruger Kerry Reid Rosie Casals |
| 6 Mar | Virginia Slims of Dallas Dallas, United States Virginia Slims Carpet (i) – $100,000 – 32S/14D | Martina Navratilova Anne Smith 6–3, 7–6$^{(5–2)}$ | Evonne Goolagong Cawley Betty Stöve | Pam Shriver (3rd) Anne Smith (4th) | Martina Navratilova Marise Kruger Kerry Reid Rosie Casals |
| 13 Mar | Virginia Slims of Boston Boston, United States Virginia Slims Carpet (i) – $100,000 – 33S/14D | Evonne Goolagong Cawley 4–6, 6–1, 6–4 | Chris Evert | Martina Navratilova Billie Jean King | Kerry Reid Marise Kruger Marita Redondo Rosie Casals |
| 13 Mar | Virginia Slims of Boston Boston, United States Virginia Slims Carpet (i) – $100,000 – 33S/14D | Billie Jean King Martina Navratilova 6–3, 6–2 | Evonne Goolagong Cawley Betty Stöve | Martina Navratilova Billie Jean King | Kerry Reid Marise Kruger Marita Redondo Rosie Casals |
| 20 Mar | Virginia Slims of Philadelphia Philadelphia, United States Virginia Slims Carpet (i) – $100,000 – 32S/1D Singles – Double | Chris Evert 6–0, 6–4 | Billie Jean King | Virginia Wade Virginia Ruzici | Wendy Turnbull Tracy Austin Betty Stöve Kerry Melville |
| 20 Mar | Virginia Slims of Philadelphia Philadelphia, United States Virginia Slims Carpet (i) – $100,000 – 32S/1D Singles – Double | Kerry Reid Wendy Turnbull 6–3, 7–5 | Françoise Dürr Virginia Wade | Virginia Wade Virginia Ruzici | Wendy Turnbull Tracy Austin Betty Stöve Kerry Melville |
| 27 Mar | Virginia Slims Championships Los Angeles, United States Season-end championships Carpet (i) – $150,000 – 16S (8RR) Single | Martina Navratilova 7–6$^{(5–0)}$, 6–4 | Evonne Goolagong Cawley | Wendy Turnbull Rosie Casals 4th | Round robin Virginia Wade Billie Jean King Betty Stöve Kerry Reid |

### April

| Week | Tournament | Champions | Runners-up | Semifinalists | Quarterfinalists |
| 3 Apr | Bridgestone Doubles Championships Salt Lake City, United States $100,000 – Carpet (i) – 8D | Martina Navratilova Billie Jean King 6–4, 6–4 | Françoise Dürr Virginia Wade | Stöve / Goolagong Cawley Reid / Turnbull | Stevens / Schallau Bostrom / Redondo Casals / Russell Kemmer / Newberry |
| 10 Apr | Family Circle Cup Hilton Head Island, United States Colgate Series (AAA) Clay – $125,000 – 30S/16D | Chris Evert 6–2, 6–0 | Kerry Reid | JoAnne Russell Tracy Austin | Martina Navratilova Jeanne DuVall Rosie Casals Renée Richards |
| 10 Apr | Family Circle Cup Hilton Head Island, United States Colgate Series (AAA) Clay – $125,000 – 30S/16D | Billie Jean King Martina Navratilova 6–3, 7–5 | Mona Guerrant Greer Stevens | JoAnne Russell Tracy Austin | Martina Navratilova Jeanne DuVall Rosie Casals Renée Richards |

### May

| Week | Tournament | Champions | Runners-up | Semifinalists | Quarterfinalists |
| 15 May | German Open Hamburg, West Germany Colgate Series (A) Clay – $35,000 – 64S/16D | Mima Jaušovec 6–2, 6–3 | Virginia Ruzici | Regina Maršíková Sylvia Hanika | Renáta Tomanová Viviana González Kathy May Laura duPont |
| 15 May | German Open Hamburg, West Germany Colgate Series (A) Clay – $35,000 – 64S/16D | Mima Jaušovec Virginia Ruzici 6–4, 5–7, 6–0 | Katja Ebbinghaus Helga Niessen Masthoff | Regina Maršíková Sylvia Hanika | Renáta Tomanová Viviana González Kathy May Laura duPont |
| 22 May | Italian Open Rome, Italy Colgate Series (A) Clay – $35,000 | Regina Maršíková 7–5, 7–5 | Virginia Ruzici | Janet Newberry Michelle Tyler | Mima Jaušovec Betsy Nagelsen Katja Ebbinghaus Renáta Tomanová |
| 22 May | Italian Open Rome, Italy Colgate Series (A) Clay – $35,000 | Mima Jaušovec Virginia Ruzici 6–2, 2–6, 7–6 | Florența Mihai Betsy Nagelsen | Janet Newberry Michelle Tyler | Mima Jaušovec Betsy Nagelsen Katja Ebbinghaus Renáta Tomanová |
| 29 May 5 June | French Open Paris, France Grand Slam (AA) $337,000 – Clay – 64S/32D/24X Singles – Doubles – Mixed doubles | Virginia Ruzici 6–2, 6–2 | Mima Jaušovec | Regina Maršíková Brigitte Simon | Kathy May Helga Niessen Masthoff Mirka Bendlová Fiorella Bonicelli |
| 29 May 5 June | French Open Paris, France Grand Slam (AA) $337,000 – Clay – 64S/32D/24X Singles – Doubles – Mixed doubles | Mima Jaušovec Virginia Ruzici 5–7, 6–4, 8–6 | Lesley Turner Bowrey Gail Sherriff Chanfreau | Regina Maršíková Brigitte Simon | Kathy May Helga Niessen Masthoff Mirka Bendlová Fiorella Bonicelli |
| 29 May 5 June | French Open Paris, France Grand Slam (AA) $337,000 – Clay – 64S/32D/24X Singles – Doubles – Mixed doubles | Renáta Tomanová Pavel Složil 7–6 ret | Virginia Ruzici Patrice Dominguez | Regina Maršíková Brigitte Simon | Kathy May Helga Niessen Masthoff Mirka Bendlová Fiorella Bonicelli |

### June

| Week | Tournament | Champions | Runners-up | Semifinalists | Quarterfinalists |
| 12 Jun | Keith Prowse International Chichester, Great Britain Colgate Series (A) Grass – $35,000 – 32S/16D | Evonne Goolagong Cawley 6–4, 6–4 | Pam Teeguarden | Janet Wright Sharon Walsh | Barbara Potter Diane Desfor Cynthia Doerner Tracy Austin |
| 12 Jun | Keith Prowse International Chichester, Great Britain Colgate Series (A) Grass – $35,000 – 32S/16D | Janet Wright Pam Shriver 3–6, 6–3, 6–4 | Michelle Tyler Yvonne Vermaak | Janet Wright Sharon Walsh | Barbara Potter Diane Desfor Cynthia Doerner Tracy Austin |
| 19 Jun | Colgate International Eastbourne, Great Britain Colgate Series (AA) Grass – $75,000 – 64S/32D | Martina Navratilova 6–4, 4–6, 9–7 | Chris Evert | Wendy Turnbull Billie Jean King | Anne Hobbs Virginia Wade Betty Stöve Michelle Tyler |
| 19 Jun | Colgate International Eastbourne, Great Britain Colgate Series (AA) Grass – $75,000 – 64S/32D | Chris Evert Betty Stöve 6–4, 6–7, 7–5 | Billie Jean King Martina Navratilova | Wendy Turnbull Billie Jean King | Anne Hobbs Virginia Wade Betty Stöve Michelle Tyler |
| 26 Jun 3 Jul | Wimbledon Championships London, Great Britain Grand Slam (AAAA) Grass – 96S/48D/64X Singles – Doubles – Mixed doubles | Martina Navratilova 2–6, 6–4, 7–5 | Chris Evert | Virginia Wade Evonne Goolagong Cawley | Billie Jean King Mima Jaušovec Virginia Ruzici Marise Kruger |
| 26 Jun 3 Jul | Wimbledon Championships London, Great Britain Grand Slam (AAAA) Grass – 96S/48D/64X Singles – Doubles – Mixed doubles | Kerry Reid Wendy Turnbull 4–6, 9–8$^{(12–10)}$, 6–3 | Mima Jaušovec Virginia Ruzici | Virginia Wade Evonne Goolagong Cawley | Billie Jean King Mima Jaušovec Virginia Ruzici Marise Kruger |
| 26 Jun 3 Jul | Wimbledon Championships London, Great Britain Grand Slam (AAAA) Grass – 96S/48D/64X Singles – Doubles – Mixed doubles | Betty Stöve Frew McMillan 6–2, 6-2 | Billie Jean King Ray Ruffels | Virginia Wade Evonne Goolagong Cawley | Billie Jean King Mima Jaušovec Virginia Ruzici Marise Kruger |

### August

| Week | Tournament | Champions | Runners-up | Semifinalists | Quarterfinalists |
| 7 Aug | US Clay Court Championships Indianapolis, United States Colgate Series (A) Clay – $35,000 – 48S/24D Singles – Doubles | Dana Gilbert 6–2, 6–3 | Viviana González | Janet Wright Jeanne Evert | Kate Latham Caroline Stoll Valerie Ziegenfuss Jeanne DuVall |
| 7 Aug | US Clay Court Championships Indianapolis, United States Colgate Series (A) Clay – $35,000 – 48S/24D Singles – Doubles | Helena Anliot Helle Sparre-Viragh 6–1, 6–3 | Barbara Hallquist Sheila McInerney | Janet Wright Jeanne Evert | Kate Latham Caroline Stoll Valerie Ziegenfuss Jeanne DuVall |
| 14 Aug | Rothmans Canadian Open Toronto, Canada Colgate Series (A) Hard – $35,000 | Regina Maršíková 7–5, 6–7$^{(9–11)}$, 6–2 | Virginia Ruzici | Diane Desfor Zenda Liess | Mima Jaušovec Yvonne Vermaak Viviana González Lesley Hunt |
| 14 Aug | Rothmans Canadian Open Toronto, Canada Colgate Series (A) Hard – $35,000 | Regina Maršíková Pam Teeguarden 5–7, 6–4, 6–2 | Chris O'Neil Paula Smith | Diane Desfor Zenda Liess | Mima Jaušovec Yvonne Vermaak Viviana González Lesley Hunt |
| 21 Aug | Bergen County Classic Mahwah, United States Colgate Series (AA) Hard – $75,000 | Virginia Wade 1–6, 6–1, 6–4 | Kerry Reid | Regina Maršíková Tracy Austin | Mareen Louie Harper Lesley Hunt Betsy Nagelsen Caroline Stoll |
| 21 Aug | Bergen County Classic Mahwah, United States Colgate Series (AA) Hard – $75,000 | Ilana Kloss Marise Kruger 6–3, 6–1 | Barbara Potter Pam Whytcross | Regina Maršíková Tracy Austin | Mareen Louie Harper Lesley Hunt Betsy Nagelsen Caroline Stoll |
| 28 Aug 4 Sep | US Open New York City, United States Grand Slam (AAAA) $260,000 – Hard – 96S/32D/32X Singles – Doubles – Mixed doubles | Chris Evert 7–5, 6–4 | Pam Shriver | Martina Navratilova Wendy Turnbull | Virginia Ruzici Lesley Hunt Kathy May Tracy Austin |
| 28 Aug 4 Sep | US Open New York City, United States Grand Slam (AAAA) $260,000 – Hard – 96S/32D/32X Singles – Doubles – Mixed doubles | Billie Jean King Martina Navratilova 7–6, 6–4 | Kerry Reid Wendy Turnbull | Martina Navratilova Wendy Turnbull | Virginia Ruzici Lesley Hunt Kathy May Tracy Austin |
| 28 Aug 4 Sep | US Open New York City, United States Grand Slam (AAAA) $260,000 – Hard – 96S/32D/32X Singles – Doubles – Mixed doubles | Betty Stöve Frew McMillan 6–2, 3–6, 6–3 | Billie Jean King Ray Ruffels | Martina Navratilova Wendy Turnbull | Virginia Ruzici Lesley Hunt Kathy May Tracy Austin |

### September

| Week | Tournament | Champions | Runners-up | Semifinalists | Quarterfinalists |
| 11 Sep | Toray Sillook Open Tokyo, Japan Colgate Series (AAA) Carpet (i) – $75,000 – 32S | Virginia Wade 6–4, 7–6$^{(7–2)}$ | Betty Stöve | Marita Redondo Wendy Turnbull | Jeanne DuVall Michelle Tyler Virginia Ruzici Carrie Meyer |
| 11 Sep | Women in Tennis International San Antonio, United States Colgate Series (A) Hard – $35,000 – 32S/16D | Stacy Margolin 7–5, 6–1 | Yvonne Vermaak | Laura duPont Anna-Maria Fernandez | Ilana Kloss Barbara Hallquist Patricia Medrado Cynthia Doerner |
| 11 Sep | Women in Tennis International San Antonio, United States Colgate Series (A) Hard – $35,000 – 32S/16D | Ilana Kloss Marise Kruger 6–1, 6–4 | Laura duPont Françoise Dürr | Laura duPont Anna-Maria Fernandez | Ilana Kloss Barbara Hallquist Patricia Medrado Cynthia Doerner |
| 18 Sep | World Tennis Classic Montreal, Canada Colgate Series (A) Clay – $40,000 – 32S/18D | Caroline Stoll 6–3, 6–2 | Françoise Dürr | Laura duPont Yvonne Vermaak | Dana Gilbert Glynis Coles Diane Desfor Michelle Tyler |
| 18 Sep | World Tennis Classic Montreal, Canada Colgate Series (A) Clay – $40,000 – 32S/18D | Julie Anthony Billie Jean King 6–4, 6–4 | Ilana Kloss Marise Kruger | Laura duPont Yvonne Vermaak | Dana Gilbert Glynis Coles Diane Desfor Michelle Tyler |
| 25 Sep | Wyler's Classic Atlanta, United States Colgate Series (AAA) Carpet (i) – $100,000 | Chris Evert 7–6$^{(7–3)}$, 0–6, 6–3 | Martina Navratilova | Virginia Wade Betty Stöve | Carrie Meyer Kerry Reid Wendy Turnbull Zenda Liess |
| 25 Sep | Wyler's Classic Atlanta, United States Colgate Series (AAA) Carpet (i) – $100,000 | Françoise Dürr Virginia Wade 4–6, 6–2, 6–4 | Martina Navratilova Anne Smith | Virginia Wade Betty Stöve | Carrie Meyer Kerry Reid Wendy Turnbull Zenda Liess |

### October

| Week | Tournament | Champions | Runners-up | Semifinalists | Quarterfinalists |
| 2 Oct | Thunderbird Classic Phoenix, United States Colgate Series (AA) Hard – $75,000 – 32S/16S | Martina Navratilova 6–4, 6–2 | Tracy Austin | Kerry Reid Virginia Wade | Anne Smith Anna-Maria Fernandez Ann Kiyomura Jeanne DuVall |
| 2 Oct | Thunderbird Classic Phoenix, United States Colgate Series (AA) Hard – $75,000 – 32S/16S | Tracy Austin Betty Stöve 6–4, 6–7, 6–2 | Martina Navratilova Anne Smith | Kerry Reid Virginia Wade | Anne Smith Anna-Maria Fernandez Ann Kiyomura Jeanne DuVall |
| 9 Oct | US Indoors Championships Minneapolis, United States Colgate Series (AAAA) Carpet (i) – $100,000 | Chris Evert 6–7, 6–2, 6–4 | Virginia Wade | Kerry Reid Wendy Turnbull | Barbara Potter Betty Stöve Tracy Austin Virginia Ruzici |
| 9 Oct | US Indoors Championships Minneapolis, United States Colgate Series (AAAA) Carpet (i) – $100,000 | Kerry Reid Wendy Turnbull 6–3, 6–3 | Lesley Hunt Ilana Kloss | Kerry Reid Wendy Turnbull | Barbara Potter Betty Stöve Tracy Austin Virginia Ruzici |
| 16 Oct | BMW Challenge Brighton, Great Britain Colgate Series (AA) Carpet (i) – $75,000 – 32S/16D Singles | Virginia Ruzici 5–7, 6–2, 7–5 | Betty Stöve | Chris Evert Kerry Reid | Sylvia Hanika Mima Jaušovec Nina Bohm Virginia Wade |
| 16 Oct | BMW Challenge Brighton, Great Britain Colgate Series (AA) Carpet (i) – $75,000 – 32S/16D Singles | Betty Stöve Virginia Wade 6–0, 7–6 | Ilana Kloss JoAnne Russell | Chris Evert Kerry Reid | Sylvia Hanika Mima Jaušovec Nina Bohm Virginia Wade |
| 23 Oct | Porsche Tennis Grand Prix Filderstadt, West Germany Colgate Series (A) Carpet (i) – $35,000 | Tracy Austin 6–3, 6–3 | Betty Stöve | Mima Jaušovec Virginia Ruzici | Sabina Simmonds Lesley Hunt Nina Bohm Heidi Eisterlehner |
| 23 Oct | Porsche Tennis Grand Prix Filderstadt, West Germany Colgate Series (A) Carpet (i) – $35,000 | Tracy Austin Betty Stöve 6–3, 6–2 | Mima Jaušovec Virginia Ruzici | Mima Jaušovec Virginia Ruzici | Sabina Simmonds Lesley Hunt Nina Bohm Heidi Eisterlehner |
| 30 Oct | Rio de La Plata Championships Buenos Aires, Argentina Colgate Series (A) Clay – $35,000 | Caroline Stoll 6–3, 6–1 | Emilse Raponi | Regina Maršíková Ivanna Madruga | Cynthia Doerner Françoise Dürr Elly Vessies Liliana Giussani |
| 30 Oct | Rio de La Plata Championships Buenos Aires, Argentina Colgate Series (A) Clay – $35,000 | Françoise Dürr Valerie Ziegenfuss 1–6, 6–4, 6–3 | Laura duPont Regina Maršíková | Regina Maršíková Ivanna Madruga | Cynthia Doerner Françoise Dürr Elly Vessies Liliana Giussani |
| 30 Oct | Wightman Cup London, United Kingdom Hard (i) Team event | Great Britain 4–3 | United States | | |

### November

| Week | Tournament | Champions | Runners-up | Semifinalists | Quarterfinalists |
| 6 Nov | Florida Federal Open Oldsmar, United States Colgate Series (AA) Hard – $75,000 Singles – Doubles | Virginia Wade 6–4, 7–6$^{(7–1)}$ | Anna-Maria Fernandez | Regina Maršíková Wendy Turnbull | Martina Navratilova Kerry Reid Renee Blount Anne White |
| 6 Nov | Florida Federal Open Oldsmar, United States Colgate Series (AA) Hard – $75,000 Singles – Doubles | Martina Navratilova Anne Smith 7–6$^{(7–4)}$, 6–3 | Kerry Reid Wendy Turnbull | Regina Maršíková Wendy Turnbull | Martina Navratilova Kerry Reid Renee Blount Anne White |
| 13 Nov | Colgate Series Championships Palm Springs, United States Colgate Series championships Hard – $250,000 | Chris Evert 6–3, 6–3 | Martina Navratilova | Virginia Wade Virginia Ruzici | Round robin Regina Maršíková Kerry Reid Wendy Turnbull Betty Stöve |
| 13 Nov | Colgate Series Championships Palm Springs, United States Colgate Series championships Hard – $250,000 | Billie Jean King Martina Navratilova 6–3, 6–4 | Kerry Reid Wendy Turnbull | Virginia Wade Virginia Ruzici | Round robin Regina Maršíková Kerry Reid Wendy Turnbull Betty Stöve |
| 27 Nov | Federation Cup Melbourne, Australia Grass – 32 teams knockout | United States 2–1 | Australia | Great Britain Soviet Union | France Czechoslovakia Romania Netherlands |

## Colgate Series
### Draw and seeding

| Draw Size | Min. Direct Acceptances | Min. Qualifiers | Min. Wild Cards | Seeds |
| 16 | 13 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| 32 | 26 | 4 | 1 | 8 |
| 48 | 42 | 4 | 2 | 8 |
| 64 | 52 | 8 | 4 | 16 |
| 96 | 82 | 8 | 6 | 16 |
| 128 | 112 | 8 | 8 | 16 |
Wild cards for the tournament had to be given to either local players or players who had won Wimbledon, the US Open, the Virginia Slims or Colgate Series championships or were previous winners of the tournament. All tournaments used a seeded draw with the number of seeds depending on the draw size.

### Points system

The tournaments of the Colgate International Series were divided into four groups – AAAA, AAA, AA and A – based on prize money. Points were allocated based on these groups and the finishing position of a player in a tournament. The points allocation – with doubles points listed in brackets – was:
Group AAAA :
* Prize money at least $150,000
* Champion: 160 (32)
* Runner-up: 120 (24)
* Semifinalist: 80 (16)
* Quarterfinalist: 40 (8)
* Round of 16: 20 (4)
* Round of 32: 15 (3)
* Round of 64: 10
Group AAA :
* Prize money at least $100,000
* Champion: 120 (24)
* Runner-up: 90 (18)
* Semifinalist: 60 (12)
* Quarterfinalist: 30 (6)
* Round of 16: 15 (3)
* Round of 32: 10 (2)
Group AA :
* Prize money at least $75,000
* Champion: 80 (16)
* Runner-up: 60 (12)
* Semifinalist: 40 (8)
* Quarterfinalist: 20 (4)
* Round of 16: 10 (2)
* Round of 32: 5
Group A :
* Prize money at least $35,000
* Champion: 40 (8)
* Runner-up: 30 (6)
* Semifinalist: 20 (4)
* Quarterfinalist: 10 (2)
* Round of 16: 5

### Points standings and bonus pool

| No. | Player name | Points Singles | Bonus Singles | Points Doubles | Bonus Doubles | Total Bonus |
| 1 | Chris Evert (USA) | 740 | $100,000 | – | – | $100,000 |
| 2 | Virginia Wade (GBR) | 635 | $65,000 | 100 | $7,500 | $72,500 |
| 3 | Kerry Reid (AUS) | 560 | $45,000 | 201 | $22,000 | $67,000 |
| 4 | Martina Navratilova (USA) | 540 | $35,000 | 146 | $13,000 | $48,000 |
| 5 | Virginia Ruzici (ROU) | 470 | $30,000 | 92 | $6,000 | $36,000 |
| 6 | Evonne Goolagong Cawley (AUS) | 450 | $25,000 | 75 | $3,800 | $28,800 |
| 7 | Betty Stöve (NED) | 445 | $22,500 | 142 | $11,500 | $34,000 |
| 8 | Wendy Turnbull (AUS) | 430 | $20,000 | 168 | $16,000 | $36,000 |
| 9 | Regina Maršíková (TCH) | 370 | $19,000 | 55 | $2,500 | $21,500 |
| 10 | Tracy Austin (USA) | 310 | $17,000 | – | – | $17,000 |
The total bonus pool for the Colgate Series was $675,000, an increase of $75,000 compared to the previous year, and was divided over singles ($540,000) and doubles ($135,000). The 35 highest points ranking singles players and the top 20 in doubles qualified to receive a share of the bonus pool. The distribution ranged from $100,000 for the first placed singles player to $3,000 for the 35th placed player. The first placed doubles player received $22,000 bonus while the 20th placed player received $2,000. In order to be eligible for a share of the respective bonus pools players had to a) participate in a minimum of seven singles or three doubles tournaments and b) accept invitation for the series championships if qualified based on merit. Players who ended on equal points were ranked in order of the number of tournaments played.

## Virginia Slims Circuit
### Points standings and prize money

| No. | Player name | T | Points | Point avg. |
| 1 | Martina Navratilova (USA) | 9 | 1,635 | 181.66 |
| 2 | Evonne Goolagong Cawley (AUS) | 6 | 910 | 151.66 |
| 3 | Betty Stöve (NED) | 7 | 753 | 107.57 |
| 4 | Virginia Wade (GBR) | 9 | 745 | 82.77 |
| 5 | Billie Jean King (USA) | 9 | 686 | 76.22 |
| 6 | Wendy Turnbull (USA) | 9 | 623 | 69.22 |
| 7 | Rosemary Casals (USA) | 10 | 608 | 60.80 |
| 8 | Kerry Reid (AUS) | 7 | 455 | 65.00 |
| 9 | Chris Evert (USA) | 2 | 360 | 180.00 |
| 10 | Tracy Austin (USA) | 4 | 345 | 86.25 |
| No. | Player name | T | Prize money |
| 1 | Martina Navratilova (USA) | 9 | $214,350 |
| 2 | Evonne Goolagong Cawley (AUS) | 6 | $114,450 |
| 3 | Billie Jean King (USA) | 9 | $68,025 |
| 4 | Betty Stöve (NED) | 7 | $67,000 |
| 5 | Wendy Turnbull (USA) | 9 | $63,300 |
| 6 | Virginia Wade (GBR) | 9 | $58,900 |
| 7 | Rosemary Casals (USA) | 10 | $52,300 |
| 8 | Kerry Reid (AUS) | 7 | $36,700 |
| 9 | Chris Evert (USA) | 2 | $30,500 |
| 10 | Dianne Fromholtz (AUS) | 8 | $22,450 |
Combined prize money for singles and doubles events. The points, named 'Silver Ginny Points', were allocated as follows:
* Winner: 210
* Runner-up: 150
* Third: 110
* Semifinalist: 100
* Quarterfinalist: 65
* Round of 16: 30
* Round of 32: 8

## WTA Tour
### Year-end rankings

Below are the 1978 WTA year-end rankings (December 10, 1978) in both singles and doubles competition:
Singles Year-end Ranking :
| No. | Player Name | T | M | Points | 1977 | Change |
| 1 | Martina Navratilova (USA) | 18 | 87 | 15.660 | 3 | 2 |
| 2 | Chris Evert (USA) | 10 | 56 | 15.192 | 1 | 1 |
| 3 | Evonne Goolagong Cawley (AUS) | 11 | 48 | 11.688 | NR | NR |
| 4 | Virginia Wade (GBR) | 22 | 92 | 9.879 | 4 | |
| 5 | Billie Jean King (USA) | 10 | 35 | 9.183 | 2 | 3 |
| 6 | Tracy Austin (USA) | 14 | 64 | 8.531 | 12 | 6 |
| 7 | Wendy Turnbull (AUS) | 22 | 79 | 8.171 | 9 | 2 |
| 8 | Betty Stöve (NED) | 21 | 72 | 7.336 | 7 | 1 |
| 9 | Kerry Reid (AUS) | 21 | 79 | 7.111 | 10 | 1 |
| 10 | Dianne Fromholtz (AUS) | 14 | 39 | 7.032 | 8 | 2 |
| 11 | Rosie Casals (USA) | 14 | 38 | 6.295 | 6 | 5 |
| 12 | Virginia Ruzici (ROU) | 28 | 90 | 6.095 | 16 | 4 |
| 13 | Pam Shriver (USA) | 12 | 45 | 5.967 | NR | NR |
| 14 | Regina Maršíková (TCH) | 32 | 91 | 5.559 | 20 | 6 |
| 15 | Kathy May (USA) | 16 | 38 | 4.706 | 21 | 6 |
| 16 | Marita Redondo (USA) | 17 | 46 | 4.649 | NR | NR |
| 17 | Greer Stevens (RSA) | 7 | 15 | 4.628 | 13 | 4 |
| 18 | Marise Kruger (RSA) | 17 | 31 | 4.559 | 25 | 7 |
| 19 | Mima Jaušovec (YUG) | 20 | 48 | 4.527 | 11 | 8 |
| 20 | Anne Smith (USA) | 8 | 28 | 4.161 | NR | NR |

### Prize money leaders

| No. | Player Name | Prize money |
| 1 | Chris Evert (USA) | $454,486 |
| 2 | Martina Navratilova (USA) | $450,757 |
| 3 | Virginia Wade (GBR) | $300,027 |
| 4 | Kerry Reid (AUS) | $208,766 |
| 5 | Wendy Turnbull (AUS) | $189,583 |
| 6 | Evonne Goolagong Cawley (AUS) | $180,844 |
| 7 | Betty Stöve (NED) | $177,243 |
| 8 | Virginia Ruzici (ROU) | $151,379 |
| 9 | Billie Jean King (USA) | $149,492 |
| 10 | Regina Maršíková (TCH) | $88,840 |