# 1981 WTA Tour

The 1981 Avon Championships World Championship Series was the 9th season since the foundation of the Women's Tennis Association. It commenced on January 4, 1981, and concluded on December 19, 1981, after 36 events. The Avon Championships World Championship Series was the elite tour for professional women's tennis organised by the Women's Tennis Association (WTA). The year is divided into two sponsors with the first three months sponsored by Avon Series and the latter part by Toyota Series. It included the four Grand Slam tournaments and a series of other events. ITF tournaments were not part of the tour, although they awarded points for the WTA World Ranking.

## Schedule

The table below shows the 1981 WTA Tour schedule.

### Key

* Grand Slam tournaments
* WTA championships
* Avon Championships Circuit
* Toyota Series
* Team events

### January

| Week | Tournament | Champions | Runners-up | Semifinalists | Quarterfinalists |
| 12 Jan | Avon Championships of Kansas Kansas City, United States Avon Championships Circuit Carpet (i) – $150,000 – 32S/16D Singles | Andrea Jaeger 3–6, 6–3, 7–5 | Martina Navratilova | Barbara Potter Virginia Ruzici | Kate Latham Sandy Collins Mima Jaušovec Sylvia Hanika |
| 12 Jan | Avon Championships of Kansas Kansas City, United States Avon Championships Circuit Carpet (i) – $150,000 – 32S/16D Singles | Barbara Potter Sharon Walsh 6–2, 7–6$^{(7–4)}$ | Rosie Casals Wendy Turnbull | Barbara Potter Virginia Ruzici | Kate Latham Sandy Collins Mima Jaušovec Sylvia Hanika |
| 19 Jan | Avon Championships of Cincinnati Cincinnati, United States Avon Championships Circuit Carpet (i) – $150,000 – 32S/16D | Martina Navratilova 6–2, 6–4 | Sylvia Hanika | Jennifer Russell Hana Mandlíková | Barbara Potter Pam Shriver Virginia Ruzici Virginia Wade |
| 19 Jan | Avon Championships of Cincinnati Cincinnati, United States Avon Championships Circuit Carpet (i) – $150,000 – 32S/16D | Kathy Jordan Anne Smith 1–6, 6–3, 6–3 | Martina Navratilova Pam Shriver | Jennifer Russell Hana Mandlíková | Barbara Potter Pam Shriver Virginia Ruzici Virginia Wade |
| 26 Jan | Avon Championships of Chicago Chicago, United States Avon Championships Circuit Carpet (i) – $200,000 – 56S/28D | Martina Navratilova 6–4, 6–2 | Hana Mandlíková | Wendy Turnbull Barbara Potter | Anne Smith Pam Shriver Peanut Louie Sylvia Hanika |
| 26 Jan | Avon Championships of Chicago Chicago, United States Avon Championships Circuit Carpet (i) – $200,000 – 56S/28D | Martina Navratilova Pam Shriver 6–3, 6–1 | Barbara Potter Sharon Walsh | Wendy Turnbull Barbara Potter | Anne Smith Pam Shriver Peanut Louie Sylvia Hanika |

### February

| Week | Tournament | Champions | Runners-up | Semifinalists | Quarterfinalists |
| 2 Feb | Avon Championships of Detroit Detroit, United States Avon Championships Circuit Carpet (i) – $150,000 – 32S/16D Singles | Leslie Allen 6–4, 6–4 | Hana Mandlíková | Pam Shriver Barbara Potter | Claudia Kohde-Kilsch Bettina Bunge Mima Jaušovec Wendy Turnbull |
| 2 Feb | Avon Championships of Detroit Detroit, United States Avon Championships Circuit Carpet (i) – $150,000 – 32S/16D Singles | Rosie Casals Wendy Turnbull 6–4, 6–2 | Hana Mandlíková Betty Stöve | Pam Shriver Barbara Potter | Claudia Kohde-Kilsch Bettina Bunge Mima Jaušovec Wendy Turnbull |
| 9 Feb | Avon Championships of California Oakland, United States Avon Championships Circuit Carpet (i) – $125,000 – 32S/16D Singles | Andrea Jaeger 6–3, 6–1 | Virginia Wade | Beth Norton Wendy Turnbull | Claudia Kohde-Kilsch Pam Teeguarden Mima Jaušovec Sue Barker |
| 9 Feb | Avon Championships of California Oakland, United States Avon Championships Circuit Carpet (i) – $125,000 – 32S/16D Singles | Rosie Casals Wendy Turnbull 6–1, 6–4 | Martina Navratilova Virginia Wade | Beth Norton Wendy Turnbull | Claudia Kohde-Kilsch Pam Teeguarden Mima Jaušovec Sue Barker |
| 16 Feb | Avon Championships of Houston Houston, United States Avon Championships Circuit Carpet (i) – $100,000 – 16S/8D Singles | Hana Mandlíková 6–4, 6–4 | Bettina Bunge | Kathy Jordan Mima Jaušovec | Pam Teeguarden Zina Garrison Jennifer Russell Kate Latham |
| 16 Feb | Avon Championships of Houston Houston, United States Avon Championships Circuit Carpet (i) – $100,000 – 16S/8D Singles | Sue Barker Ann Kiyomura 5–7, 6–4, 6–3 | Regina Maršíková Mary Lou Piatek | Kathy Jordan Mima Jaušovec | Pam Teeguarden Zina Garrison Jennifer Russell Kate Latham |
| 23 Feb | Avon Championships of Seattle Seattle, United States Avon Championships Circuit Carpet (i) – $150,000 – 32S/16D | Sylvia Hanika 6–2, 6–1 | Barbara Potter | Kathy Jordan Bettina Bunge | Anne Smith Pam Shriver Wendy Turnbull Hana Mandlíková |
| 23 Feb | Avon Championships of Seattle Seattle, United States Avon Championships Circuit Carpet (i) – $150,000 – 32S/16D | Rosie Casals Wendy Turnbull 6–1, 6–4 | Sue Barker Ann Kiyomura | Kathy Jordan Bettina Bunge | Anne Smith Pam Shriver Wendy Turnbull Hana Mandlíková |

### March

| Week | Tournament | Champions | Runners-up | Semifinalists | Quarterfinalists |
| 2 Mar | Avon Championships of Los Angeles Los Angeles, United States Avon Championships Circuit Hard – $150,000 – 32S/16D | Martina Navratilova 6–4, 6–0 | Andrea Jaeger | Sylvia Hanika Bettina Bunge | Julie Harrington Barbara Potter JoAnne Russell Billie Jean King |
| 2 Mar | Avon Championships of Los Angeles Los Angeles, United States Avon Championships Circuit Hard – $150,000 – 32S/16D | Susan Leo Kim Sands 6–1, 4–6, 6–1 | Peanut Louie Marita Redondo | Sylvia Hanika Bettina Bunge | Julie Harrington Barbara Potter JoAnne Russell Billie Jean King |
| 9 Mar | Avon Championships of Dallas Dallas, United States Avon Championships Circuit Carpet (i) – $175,000 – 33S/16D | Martina Navratilova 6–2, 6–4 | Pam Shriver | Virginia Ruzici Bettina Bunge | Mary Lou Piatek Billie Jean King Kathy Jordan Mima Jaušovec |
| 9 Mar | Avon Championships of Dallas Dallas, United States Avon Championships Circuit Carpet (i) – $175,000 – 33S/16D | Martina Navratilova Pam Shriver 7–5, 6–4 | Kathy Jordan Anne Smith | Virginia Ruzici Bettina Bunge | Mary Lou Piatek Billie Jean King Kathy Jordan Mima Jaušovec |
| 15 Mar | Avon Championships of Boston Boston, United States Avon Championships Circuit Carpet (i) – $150,000 – 32S/16D | Chris Evert-Lloyd 6–4, 6–4 | Mima Jaušovec | Kathy Jordan Sylvia Hanika | Virginia Ruzici Peanut Louie Wendy Turnbull Hana Mandlíková |
| 15 Mar | Avon Championships of Boston Boston, United States Avon Championships Circuit Carpet (i) – $150,000 – 32S/16D | Barbara Potter Sharon Walsh 5–7, 6–4, 6–3 | Jennifer Russell Virginia Ruzici | Kathy Jordan Sylvia Hanika | Virginia Ruzici Peanut Louie Wendy Turnbull Hana Mandlíková |
| 23 Mar | Avon Championships New York City, United States WTA Championships Carpet (i) – $300,000 – 8S/4D Singles – Doubles | Martina Navratilova 6–3, 7–6$^{(7–3)}$ | Andrea Jaeger | Bettina Bunge Sylvia Hanika | |
| 23 Mar | Avon Championships New York City, United States WTA Championships Carpet (i) – $300,000 – 8S/4D Singles – Doubles | Martina Navratilova Pam Shriver 6–0, 7–6$^{(8–6)}$ | Barbara Potter Sharon Walsh | Bettina Bunge Sylvia Hanika | |

### April

| Week | Tournament | Champions | Runners-up | Semifinalists | Quarterfinalists |
| 6 Apr | Family Circle Cup Hilton Head Island, United States Toyota Series (Category 5) Clay – $150,000 – 56S/32D | Chris Evert-Lloyd 6–3, 6–2 | Pam Shriver | Virginia Ruzici JoAnne Russell | Regina Maršíková Mima Jaušovec Pam Casale Joyce Portman |
| 6 Apr | Family Circle Cup Hilton Head Island, United States Toyota Series (Category 5) Clay – $150,000 – 56S/32D | Rosie Casals Wendy Turnbull 7–5, 7–5 | Mima Jaušovec Pam Shriver | Virginia Ruzici JoAnne Russell | Regina Maršíková Mima Jaušovec Pam Casale Joyce Portman |
| 13 Apr | Wightman Cup Williamsburg, United States Team event Hard (i) | United States 7–0 | Great Britain | | |
| 20 Apr | Murjani WTA Championships Amelia Island, United States Toyota Series (Category 7) Clay – $250,000 – 56S/32D Singles – Doubles | Chris Evert-Lloyd 6–0, 6–0 | Martina Navratilova | Virginia Ruzici Mima Jaušovec | Pam Shriver Andrea Jaeger Ivanna Madruga Sylvia Hanika |
| 20 Apr | Murjani WTA Championships Amelia Island, United States Toyota Series (Category 7) Clay – $250,000 – 56S/32D Singles – Doubles | Kathy Jordan Paula Smith 6–3, 5–7, 7–6$^{(7–2)}$ | Virginia Ruzici JoAnne Russell | Virginia Ruzici Mima Jaušovec | Pam Shriver Andrea Jaeger Ivanna Madruga Sylvia Hanika |
| 27 Apr | United Airlines Tournament of Champions Orlando, United States Toyota Series (Category 7) Clay – $200,000 – 22S/8D | Martina Navratilova 7–5, 6–3 | Andrea Jaeger | Regina Maršíková Hana Mandlíková | Yvonne Vermaak Wendy Turnbull Kathleen Horvath Sylvia Hanika |
| 27 Apr | United Airlines Tournament of Champions Orlando, United States Toyota Series (Category 7) Clay – $200,000 – 22S/8D | Martina Navratilova Pam Shriver 6–1, 7–6$^{(12–10)}$ | Rosie Casals Wendy Turnbull | Regina Maršíková Hana Mandlíková | Yvonne Vermaak Wendy Turnbull Kathleen Horvath Sylvia Hanika |

### May

| Week | Tournament | Champions | Runners-up | Semifinalists | Quarterfinalists |
| 4 May | Italian Open Perugia, Italy Toyota Series (Category 3) Clay – $100,000 – 56S/32D | Chris Evert-Lloyd 6–1, 6–2 | Virginia Ruzici | Sandy Collins Joyce Portman | Lucia Romanov Rosalyn Fairbank Ivanna Madruga Elly Appel-Vessies |
| 4 May | Italian Open Perugia, Italy Toyota Series (Category 3) Clay – $100,000 – 56S/32D | Candy Reynolds Paula Smith 7–5, 6–1 | Chris Evert-Lloyd Virginia Ruzici | Sandy Collins Joyce Portman | Lucia Romanov Rosalyn Fairbank Ivanna Madruga Elly Appel-Vessies |
| 4 May | Bridgestone Doubles Championships Tokyo, Japan Toyota Series (Category 5) Carpet (i) – $150,000 – 8D | Sue Barker Ann Kiyomura 7–5, 6–2 | Barbara Potter Sharon Walsh | Casals / Turnbull Jordan / Smith | Peanut Louie/ Redondo Blackwood / Leo duPont / Jordan Jaeger / King |
| 11 May | Toyota Swiss Open Lugano, Switzerland Toyota Series (Category 3) Clay – $100,000 – 32S/16D | Chris Evert-Lloyd 6–1, 6–1 | Virginia Ruzici | Regina Maršíková Sylvia Hanika | Sandy Collins Dianne Balestrat Hana Strachoňová Candy Reynolds |
| 11 May | Toyota Swiss Open Lugano, Switzerland Toyota Series (Category 3) Clay – $100,000 – 32S/16D | Rosalyn Fairbank Tanya Harford 2–6, 6–1, 6–4 | Candy Reynolds Paula Smith | Regina Maršíková Sylvia Hanika | Sandy Collins Dianne Balestrat Hana Strachoňová Candy Reynolds |
| 18 May | German Open West Berlin, West Germany Toyota Series (Category 3) Clay – $150,000 – 56S/28D | Regina Maršíková 6–2, 6–1 | Ivanna Madruga | Sandy Collins Dianne Fromholtz | Tracy Austin Deborah Jevans Mima Jaušovec Hana Mandlíková |
| 18 May | German Open West Berlin, West Germany Toyota Series (Category 3) Clay – $150,000 – 56S/28D | Rosalyn Fairbank Tanya Harford 6–3, 6–4 | Sue Barker Renáta Tomanová | Sandy Collins Dianne Fromholtz | Tracy Austin Deborah Jevans Mima Jaušovec Hana Mandlíková |
| 25 May 1 June | French Open Paris, France Grand Slam Clay – $300,000 – 112S/64Q/48D/32X Singles – Doubles – Mixed doubles | Hana Mandlíková 6–2, 6–4 | Sylvia Hanika | Chris Evert-Lloyd Andrea Jaeger | Virginia Ruzici Kathy Rinaldi Mima Jaušovec Martina Navratilova |
| 25 May 1 June | French Open Paris, France Grand Slam Clay – $300,000 – 112S/64Q/48D/32X Singles – Doubles – Mixed doubles | Rosalyn Fairbank Tanya Harford 6–1, 6–3 | Candy Reynolds Paula Smith | Chris Evert-Lloyd Andrea Jaeger | Virginia Ruzici Kathy Rinaldi Mima Jaušovec Martina Navratilova |
| 25 May 1 June | French Open Paris, France Grand Slam Clay – $300,000 – 112S/64Q/48D/32X Singles – Doubles – Mixed doubles | Andrea Jaeger James Arias 7–6, 6–4 | Betty Stöve Frederick McNair | Chris Evert-Lloyd Andrea Jaeger | Virginia Ruzici Kathy Rinaldi Mima Jaušovec Martina Navratilova |

### June

| Week | Tournament | Champions | Runners-up | Semifinalists | Quarterfinalists |
| 8 Jun | Surrey Championships Surbiton, Great Britain Toyota Series (Category 1) Grass – $50,000 – 56S/32D | Betsy Nagelsen 6–0, 6–4 | Barbara Hallquist | Diane Desfor Martina Navratilova | Marjorie Blackwood Laura duPont JoAnne Russell Sue Barker |
| 8 Jun | Surrey Championships Surbiton, Great Britain Toyota Series (Category 1) Grass – $50,000 – 56S/32D | Sue Barker Ann Kiyomura 6–1, 6–7, 6–1 | Billie Jean King Ilana Kloss | Diane Desfor Martina Navratilova | Marjorie Blackwood Laura duPont JoAnne Russell Sue Barker |
| 15 Jun | BMW Championships Eastbourne, Great Britain Toyota Series (Category 4) Grass – $125,000 – 64S/32D | Tracy Austin 6–3, 6–4 | Andrea Jaeger | Barbara Potter Martina Navratilova | Anne Smith Wendy Turnbull Pam Casale Claudia Kohde-Kilsch |
| 15 Jun | BMW Championships Eastbourne, Great Britain Toyota Series (Category 4) Grass – $125,000 – 64S/32D | Martina Navratilova Pam Shriver 6–7$^{(5–7)}$, 6–2, 6–1 | Kathy Jordan Anne Smith | Barbara Potter Martina Navratilova | Anne Smith Wendy Turnbull Pam Casale Claudia Kohde-Kilsch |
| 22 Jun 29 Jun | Wimbledon Championships London, Great Britain Grand Slam Grass – $300,000 – 112S/64Q/48D/48X Singles – Doubles – Mixed doubles | Chris Evert-Lloyd 6–2, 6–2 | Hana Mandlíková | Pam Shriver Martina Navratilova | Mima Jaušovec Tracy Austin Virginia Ruzici Wendy Turnbull |
| 22 Jun 29 Jun | Wimbledon Championships London, Great Britain Grand Slam Grass – $300,000 – 112S/64Q/48D/48X Singles – Doubles – Mixed doubles | Martina Navratilova Pam Shriver 6–3, 7–6$^{(8–6)}$ | Kathy Jordan Anne Smith | Pam Shriver Martina Navratilova | Mima Jaušovec Tracy Austin Virginia Ruzici Wendy Turnbull |
| 22 Jun 29 Jun | Wimbledon Championships London, Great Britain Grand Slam Grass – $300,000 – 112S/64Q/48D/48X Singles – Doubles – Mixed doubles | Betty Stöve Frew McMillan 4–6, 7–6$^{(7–2)}$, 6–3 | Tracy Austin John Austin | Pam Shriver Martina Navratilova | Mima Jaušovec Tracy Austin Virginia Ruzici Wendy Turnbull |

### July

| Week | Tournament | Champions | Runners-up | Semifinalists | Quarterfinalists |
| 13 Jul | Austrian Open Kitzbühel, Austria Toyota Series (Category 1) Clay – $50,000 – 32S/16D | Claudia Kohde-Kilsch 7–5, 7–6 | Sylvia Hanika | Regina Maršíková Virginia Ruzici | Patricia Medrado Yvonne Vermaak Lena Sandin Marjorie Blackwood |
| 13 Jul | Austrian Open Kitzbühel, Austria Toyota Series (Category 1) Clay – $50,000 – 32S/16D | Claudia Kohde-Kilsch Eva Pfaff 6–4, 6–3 | Elizabeth Little Yvonne Vermaak | Regina Maršíková Virginia Ruzici | Patricia Medrado Yvonne Vermaak Lena Sandin Marjorie Blackwood |
| 27 Jul | Wells Fargo Open San Diego, United States Toyota Series (Category 4) Hard – $125,000- 32S/16D | Tracy Austin 6–2, 5–7, 6–2 | Pam Shriver | Kathy Jordan Kate Latham | Candy Reynolds Mary Lou Piatek Bettina Bunge Yvonne Vermaak |
| 27 Jul | Wells Fargo Open San Diego, United States Toyota Series (Category 4) Hard – $125,000- 32S/16D | Kathy Jordan Candy Reynolds 6–1, 2–6, 6–4 | Rosie Casals Pam Shriver | Kathy Jordan Kate Latham | Candy Reynolds Mary Lou Piatek Bettina Bunge Yvonne Vermaak |

### August

| Week | Tournament | Champions | Runners-up | Semifinalists | Quarterfinalists |
| 3 Aug | U.S. Clay Court Championships Indianapolis, United States Toyota Series (Category 5) Clay – $150,000 – 56S/32D Singles – Doubles | Andrea Jaeger 6–1, 6–0 | Virginia Ruzici | Mima Jaušovec Regina Maršíková | Sue Barker Anne Smith Hana Strachoňová Susan Mascarin |
| 3 Aug | U.S. Clay Court Championships Indianapolis, United States Toyota Series (Category 5) Clay – $150,000 – 56S/32D Singles – Doubles | JoAnne Russell Virginia Ruzici 6–2, 6–2 | Sue Barker Paula Smith | Mima Jaušovec Regina Maršíková | Sue Barker Anne Smith Hana Strachoňová Susan Mascarin |
| 10 Aug | Central Fidelity Banks International Richmond, United States Toyota Series (Category 3) Carpet (i) – $100,000 – 32S/16D | Mary Lou Piatek 6–4, 6–1 | Sue Barker | Betsy Nagelsen Pam Shriver | Sylvia Hanika Regina Maršíková Wendy Turnbull Sandy Collins |
| 10 Aug | Central Fidelity Banks International Richmond, United States Toyota Series (Category 3) Carpet (i) – $100,000 – 32S/16D | Sue Barker Ann Kiyomura 4–6, 7–6, 6–4 | Kathy Jordan Anne Smith | Betsy Nagelsen Pam Shriver | Sylvia Hanika Regina Maršíková Wendy Turnbull Sandy Collins |
| 17 Aug | Player's Canadian Open Toronto, Canada Toyota Series (Category 7) Hard – $200,000 – 56S/32D | Tracy Austin 6–1, 6–4 | Chris Evert-Lloyd | Andrea Jaeger Martina Navratilova | Hana Mandlíková Rosalyn Fairbank Sylvia Hanika Pam Shriver |
| 17 Aug | Player's Canadian Open Toronto, Canada Toyota Series (Category 7) Hard – $200,000 – 56S/32D | Martina Navratilova Pam Shriver 7–6, 7–6 | Candy Reynolds Anne Smith | Andrea Jaeger Martina Navratilova | Hana Mandlíková Rosalyn Fairbank Sylvia Hanika Pam Shriver |
| 24 Aug | Volvo Women's Cup Mahwah, United States Toyota Series (Category 3) Hard – $100,000 – 56S/32D | Hana Mandlíková 6–2, 6–2 | Pam Casale | Bettina Bunge Regina Maršíková | Trey Lewis Virginia Ruzici Wendy White Stacy Margolin |
| 24 Aug | Volvo Women's Cup Mahwah, United States Toyota Series (Category 3) Hard – $100,000 – 56S/32D | Rosie Casals Wendy Turnbull 6–2, 6–1 | Candy Reynolds Betty Stöve | Bettina Bunge Regina Maršíková | Trey Lewis Virginia Ruzici Wendy White Stacy Margolin |
| 31 Aug 7 Sep | US Open New York City, United States Grand Slam Hard – $400,000 – 128S/64Q/64D/32X Singles – Doubles – Mixed doubles | Tracy Austin 1–6, 7–6$^{(7–4)}$, 7–6$^{(7–1)}$ | Martina Navratilova | Chris Evert-Lloyd Barbara Potter | Hana Mandlíková Anne Smith Sylvia Hanika Barbara Gerken |
| 31 Aug 7 Sep | US Open New York City, United States Grand Slam Hard – $400,000 – 128S/64Q/64D/32X Singles – Doubles – Mixed doubles | Kathy Jordan Anne Smith 6–3, 6–3 | Rosie Casals Wendy Turnbull | Chris Evert-Lloyd Barbara Potter | Hana Mandlíková Anne Smith Sylvia Hanika Barbara Gerken |
| 31 Aug 7 Sep | US Open New York City, United States Grand Slam Hard – $400,000 – 128S/64Q/64D/32X Singles – Doubles – Mixed doubles | Anne Smith Kevin Curren 6–4, 7–6$^{(7–4)}$ | JoAnne Russell Steve Denton | Chris Evert-Lloyd Barbara Potter | Hana Mandlíková Anne Smith Sylvia Hanika Barbara Gerken |

### September

| Week | Tournament | Champions | Runners-up | Semifinalists | Quarterfinalists |
| 14 Sep | Toray Sillook Open Tokyo, Japan Toyota Series (Category 3) Carpet (i) – $100,000 – 32S | Ann Kiyomura 6–4, 7–5 | Bettina Bunge | Mima Jaušovec Kathleen Horvath | Sharon Walsh Candy Reynolds Anne Hobbs Leslie Allen |
| 21 Sep | Toyota Tennis Classic Atlanta, United States Toyota Series (Category 2) Hard – $75,000 – 32S/16D | Tracy Austin 4–6, 6–3, 6–3 | Mary Lou Piatek | Laura duPont Susan Mascarin | Beth Norton Wendy White Rosie Casals Sharon Walsh |
| 21 Sep | Toyota Tennis Classic Atlanta, United States Toyota Series (Category 2) Hard – $75,000 – 32S/16D | Laura duPont Betsy Nagelsen 6–4, 7–5 | Rosie Casals Candy Reynolds | Laura duPont Susan Mascarin | Beth Norton Wendy White Rosie Casals Sharon Walsh |
| 28 Sep | U.S. Women's Indoor Championships Bloomington, United States Toyota Series (Category 4) Carpet (i) – $125,000 – 32S/16D | Martina Navratilova 6–0, 6–2 | Tracy Austin | Candy Reynolds Wendy Turnbull | Sharon Walsh Julie Harrington Anne Smith Barbara Potter |
| 28 Sep | U.S. Women's Indoor Championships Bloomington, United States Toyota Series (Category 4) Carpet (i) – $125,000 – 32S/16D | Martina Navratilova Pam Shriver 6–3, 7–6 | Rosie Casals Wendy Turnbull | Candy Reynolds Wendy Turnbull | Sharon Walsh Julie Harrington Anne Smith Barbara Potter |

### October

| Week | Tournament | Champions | Runners-up | Semifinalists | Quarterfinalists |
| 5 Oct | Florida Federal Open Tampa, United States Toyota Series (Category 4) Hard – $125,000 – 32S/16D | Martina Navratilova 5–7, 6–2, 6–0 | Bettina Bunge | Sylvia Hanika Mary Lou Piatek | Barbara Hallquist Kathy Rinaldi Wendy Turnbull Sandy Collins |
| 5 Oct | Florida Federal Open Tampa, United States Toyota Series (Category 4) Hard – $125,000 – 32S/16D | Rosie Casals Wendy Turnbull 6–3, 6–4 | Martina Navratilova Renáta Tomanová | Sylvia Hanika Mary Lou Piatek | Barbara Hallquist Kathy Rinaldi Wendy Turnbull Sandy Collins |
| 12 Oct | Borden Classic Kyoto, Japan Toyota Series (Category 1) Hard – $50,000 – 32S/16D | Kathy Rinaldi 6–1, 7–5 | Julie Harrington | Pam Casale Patricia Medrado | Dana Gilbert Barbara Jordan Susan Mascarin Beth Norton |
| 12 Oct | Borden Classic Kyoto, Japan Toyota Series (Category 1) Hard – $50,000 – 32S/16D | Marianne van der Torre Nanette Schutte 6–2, 6–4 | Elizabeth Smylie Kim Steinmetz | Pam Casale Patricia Medrado | Dana Gilbert Barbara Jordan Susan Mascarin Beth Norton |
| 12 Oct | Lynda Carter Maybelline Classic Deerfield Beach, United States Toyota Series (Category 4) Hard – $125,000 – 32S/16D | Chris Evert-Lloyd 4–6, 6–3, 6–0 | Andrea Jaeger | Pam Shriver Sylvia Hanika | Bobbie Gadusek Anne White Rosie Casals Anne Smith |
| 12 Oct | Lynda Carter Maybelline Classic Deerfield Beach, United States Toyota Series (Category 4) Hard – $125,000 – 32S/16D | Mary Lou Piatek Wendy White 6–1, 3–6, 7–5 | Pam Shriver Paula Smith | Pam Shriver Sylvia Hanika | Bobbie Gadusek Anne White Rosie Casals Anne Smith |
| 19 Oct | Daihatsu Challenge Brighton, Great Britain Toyota Series (Category 4) Carpet (i) – $125,000 – 32S/16D | Sue Barker 4–6, 6–1, 6–1 | Mima Jaušovec | Barbara Potter Anne Smith | Tracy Austin Claudia Kohde-Kilsch Pam Shriver Sylvia Hanika |
| 19 Oct | Daihatsu Challenge Brighton, Great Britain Toyota Series (Category 4) Carpet (i) – $125,000 – 32S/16D | Barbara Potter Anne Smith 6–7$^{(1–7)}$, 6–3, 6–4 | Mima Jaušovec Pam Shriver | Barbara Potter Anne Smith | Tracy Austin Claudia Kohde-Kilsch Pam Shriver Sylvia Hanika |
| 19 Oct | Japan Open Tokyo, Japan Toyota Series (Category 1) Hard – $50,000 – S/D | Marie Pinterová 2–6, 6–4, 6–1 | Pam Casale | Barbara Potter Patricia Medrado | Julie Harrington Barbara Rossi Marianne van der Torre Lee Duk-hee |
| 19 Oct | Japan Open Tokyo, Japan Toyota Series (Category 1) Hard – $50,000 – S/D | Patricia Medrado Cláudia Monteiro 6–3, 3–6, 6–2 | Barbara Jordan Roberta McCallum | Barbara Potter Patricia Medrado | Julie Harrington Barbara Rossi Marianne van der Torre Lee Duk-hee |
| 26 Oct | Porsche Tennis Grand Prix Stuttgart, West Germany Toyota Series (Category 4) Hard (i) – $125,000 – 32S/16D | Tracy Austin 4–6, 6–3, 6–4 | Martina Navratilova | Virginia Ruzici Sylvia Hanika | Mima Jaušovec JoAnne Russell Jo Durie Anne Smith |
| 26 Oct | Porsche Tennis Grand Prix Stuttgart, West Germany Toyota Series (Category 4) Hard (i) – $125,000 – 32S/16D | Mima Jaušovec Martina Navratilova 6–4, 6–1 | Barbara Potter Anne Smith | Virginia Ruzici Sylvia Hanika | Mima Jaušovec JoAnne Russell Jo Durie Anne Smith |

### November

| Week | Tournament | Champions | Runners-up | Semifinalists | Quarterfinalists |
| 2 Nov | Seiko Classic Hong Kong Toyota Series (Category 1) Hard – $50,000 – 32S/16D | Wendy Turnbull 6–3, 6–4 | Sabina Simmonds | Marianne van der Torre Marcella Mesker | Anne Hobbs Patricia Medrado Leigh-Anne Thompson Lee Duk-hee |
| 2 Nov | Seiko Classic Hong Kong Toyota Series (Category 1) Hard – $50,000 – 32S/16D | Ann Kiyomura Sharon Walsh 6–3, 6–4 | Anne Hobbs Susan Leo | Marianne van der Torre Marcella Mesker | Anne Hobbs Patricia Medrado Leigh-Anne Thompson Lee Duk-hee |
| 9 Nov | Federation Cup Tokyo, Japan Team event Clay | United States 3–0 | Great Britain | Switzerland Australia | Romania West Germany Soviet Union Netherlands |
| 16 Nov | National Panasonic Classic Perth, Australia Toyota Series (Category 4) Grass – $125,000 – 56S/32D | Pam Shriver 6–1, 7–6$^{(7–4)}$ | Andrea Jaeger | Mima Jaušovec Ann Kiyomura | Leslie Allen Barbara Potter Jane Preyer Anne Smith |
| 16 Nov | National Panasonic Classic Perth, Australia Toyota Series (Category 4) Grass – $125,000 – 56S/32D | Barbara Potter Sharon Walsh 6–4, 6–2 | Betsy Nagelsen Candy Reynolds | Mima Jaušovec Ann Kiyomura | Leslie Allen Barbara Potter Jane Preyer Anne Smith |
| 23 Nov | NSW Building Society Open Sydney, Australia Toyota Series (Category 4) Grass – $125,000 – 56S/32D | Chris Evert-Lloyd 6–4, 2–6, 6–1 | Martina Navratilova | Bettina Bunge Wendy Turnbull | Evonne Goolagong Cawley Anne Smith Andrea Jaeger Barbara Potter |
| 23 Nov | NSW Building Society Open Sydney, Australia Toyota Series (Category 4) Grass – $125,000 – 56S/32D | Martina Navratilova Pam Shriver 6–7, 6–2, 6–4 | Kathy Jordan Anne Smith | Bettina Bunge Wendy Turnbull | Evonne Goolagong Cawley Anne Smith Andrea Jaeger Barbara Potter |
| 30 Nov 7 Dec | Toyota Australian Open Melbourne, Australia Grand Slam Grass – $200,000 – 64S/32Q/32D Singles – Doubles | Martina Navratilova 6–7$^{(4–7)}$, 6–4, 7–5 | Chris Evert-Lloyd | Wendy Turnbull Pam Shriver | Hana Mandlíková Andrea Jaeger Evonne Goolagong Cawley Tracy Austin |
| 30 Nov 7 Dec | Toyota Australian Open Melbourne, Australia Grand Slam Grass – $200,000 – 64S/32Q/32D Singles – Doubles | Kathy Jordan Anne Smith 6–2, 7–5 | Martina Navratilova Pam Shriver | Wendy Turnbull Pam Shriver | Hana Mandlíková Andrea Jaeger Evonne Goolagong Cawley Tracy Austin |

### December

| Week | Tournament | Champions | Runners-up | Semifinalists | Quarterfinalists |
| 14 Dec | Toyota Series Championships East Rutherford, United States WTA championships Hard (i) – $300,000 – 12S/6D | Tracy Austin 2–6, 6–4, 6–2 | Martina Navratilova | Pam Shriver Chris Evert-Lloyd | Round robin Mima Jaušovec Andrea Jaeger Hana Mandlíková Tracy Austin |
| 14 Dec | Toyota Series Championships East Rutherford, United States WTA championships Hard (i) – $300,000 – 12S/6D | Martina Navratilova Pam Shriver 6–3, 6–4 | Rosie Casals Wendy Turnbull | Pam Shriver Chris Evert-Lloyd | Round robin Mima Jaušovec Andrea Jaeger Hana Mandlíková Tracy Austin |

## Toyota Series
### Points system

The 31 Toyota Series tournaments were divided into eight point categories. The highest points were allocated to the Grand Slam tournaments; French Open, the Wimbledon Championships, the US Open and the Australian Open. Points were allocated based on these categories and the finishing position of a player in a tournament. The points allocation, with doubles points listed in brackets, is as follows:
| Category | Grand Slam $300,000+ | 7 $200,000+ | 6 $175,000+ | 5 $150,000+ | 4 $125,000+ | 3 $100,000+ | 2 $75,000+ | 1 $50,000+ |
| Winner | 250 (125) | 200 (105) | 175 (88) | 150 (75) | 125 (62) | 100 (50) | 75 (38) | 50 (25) |
| Runner-up | 200 (100) | 160 (90) | 140 (73) | 120 (60) | 95 (47) | 70 (35) | 50 (25) | 30 (15) |
| Semifinalist | 160 (80) | 130 (70) | 110 (57) | 90 (45) | 70 (35) | 50 (25) | 35 (17) | 20 (10) |
| Quarterfinalist | 120 (60) | 100 (50) | 80 (40) | 60 (30) | 40 (20) | 25 (12) | 20 (8) | 10 (5) |
| Fourth round | 80 (40) | 65 (35) | 50 (25) | 35 (17) | 25 (12) | 15 (8) | 10 (5) | 5 (3) |
| Third round | 40 (30) | 30 (22) | 25 (15) | 20 (9) | 15 (5) | 5 (3) | 3 (1) | – (–) |
| Second round | 15 (10) | 10 (8) | 10 (5) | 7 (2) | 5 (–) | – (–) | – (–) | – (–) |

## Rankings

Below are the 1981 WTA year-end rankings (December 31, 1981) in both singles and doubles competition:
Singles Year-end Ranking :
| No | Player Name | Points | 1980 | Change |
| 1 | Chris Evert (USA) | 17.542 | 1 | |
| 2 | Tracy Austin (USA) | 16.486 | 2 | |
| 3 | Martina Navratilova (USA) | 15.710 | 3 | |
| 4 | Andrea Jaeger (USA) | 13.107 | 7 | 3 |
| 5 | Hana Mandlíková (TCH) | 11.234 | 4 | 1 |
| 6 | Sylvia Hanika (FRG) | 9.620 | 14 | 8 |
| 7 | Pam Shriver (USA) | 9.594 | 9 | 2 |
| 8 | Wendy Turnbull (AUS) | 8.262 | 8 | |
| 9 | Bettina Bunge (FRG) | 7.932 | 19 | 10 |
| 10 | Barbara Potter (USA) | 7.921 | 25 | 15 |
| 11 | Mima Jaušovec (YUG) | 7.823 | 17 | 6 |
| 12 | Virginia Ruzici (ROU) | 7.399 | 11 | 1 |
| 13 | Regina Maršíková (TCH) | 6.567 | 18 | 5 |
| 14 | Sue Barker (GBR) | 6.405 | 16 | 2 |
| 15 | Kathy Jordan (USA) | 5.957 | 13 | 2 |
| 16 | Anne Smith (USA) | 5.728 | 24 | 8 |
| 17 | Mary Lou Piatek (USA) | 5.199 | 23 | 6 |
| 18 | Sandy Collins (USA) | 5.050 | 36 | 18 |
| 19 | Leslie Allen (USA) | 5.034 | 54 | 35 |
| 20 | Claudia Kohde-Kilsch (FRG) | 4.846 | 78 | 58 |