The History of Seiko Super Tennis
Period: From Sep 5 (Tue) to Oct 15 (Sun)
Venue: The Seiko Museum Ginza

Chapter 1. The Tennis Boom and the Birth of Seiko Super Tennis
Japan has experienced two so-called tennis booms in the past. The first tennis boom occurred around1958 to 1959, after Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko met during a tennis tournament at Karuizawa
and subsequently married. As a result, tennis courts and tennis schools became widespread across thecountry.
In 1975, Kazuko Sawamatsu and Ann Kiyomura won the women’s doubles at Wimbledon, sparking asecond tennis boom. The streets soon became full of young people sporting the “tennis look” with rackets
in hand, and men and women of all ages could be seen practicing tennis by hitting tennis balls against
concrete walls. With the booming economy at the time, numerous international and domesticcompetitions were held in Japan, and in response to the demand for “bigger tournaments,” the Seiko
Super Tennis tournament was started in 1978 (organized by
the Japan Professional Tennis Association, with Seiko as theThe Japanese tennis boom:title sponsor). The total prize money was $200,000, and theMothers swinging rackets

stunning lineup of celebrity competitors who, other than those

Taken in Fukuoka Prefecture, 1978

recommended by the organizer, were all ranked within the top(From The Yomiuri Shimbun)

50 in the world, caused a frenzy of excitement among tennis
fans in Japan and spurred the tennis boom.

Japan’s first official SuperThe 1981 Tournament:

Grand Prix: Eager Japanese

The crowd at the entrance tofans lined up day after day.

the stadium

The final tournament,
held in 1995:
The stadium is filled tocapacity.

Chapter 2. That Star Has Arrived! 18 Years of Wild Enthusiasm
Seiko Super Tennis was held over the course of a week in mid-October every year from 1978 to 1995. Its venues included the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium and Yoyogi NationalStadium. Next to the Grand Slam, it was the second biggest official event of the Men’s International Professional Tennis Council (MIPTC). The events were broadcast by TBS, asponsor of the tournament, who televised the semi-finals and finals in prime time. Japanese tennis fans were enraptured by the performances of superstars such as Jimmy Connors(USA), Björn Borg (Sweden) and John McEnroe (USA).
A table selling tournament
souvenirs

List of winners: The Great Champions
1978 (1st):

Borg 6-3, 6-4 Teacher

Björn Borg becomes the first champion.

1979 (2nd):

Borg 6-2, 6-2 Connors

Borg defeats his rival to achieve his 2nd victory.

1980 (3rd):

Connors 6-1, 6-2 Gullikson

Jimmy Connors returns with a vengeance to seize victory.

1981 (4th):

Van Patten 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 Edmondson

Vincent Van Patten wins with a divine performance.

1982 (5th):

McEnroe 7-6, 7-5 McNamara“Mac” becomes the new champion, just as promised.

1983 (6th):

Lendl 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 Davis

Returning after 4 years, Ivan Lendl blazes to victory.

1984 (7th):

Connors 6-4, 3-6, 6-0 Lendl

Connors achieves his 105th career win.

1985 (8th):

Lendl 6-0, 6-4 Wilander

Lendl demonstrates the true power of a champion.

1986 (9th):

Becker 7-6, 6-1 Edberg

Boris Becker crushes Edberg with his powerful play.

A press conference held before

1987 (10th): Edberg 6-7, 6-4, 6-4 Lendl

Edberg demonstrates brilliant tennis.

the final tournament in 1995

1988 (11th): Becker 7-6, 6-4 Fitzgerald

Even while uncharacteristically off his game, Becker seizes victory.

1989 (12th): Krickstein 6-2, 6-2 Steeb

The return of Aaron Krickstein.

1990 (13th): Lendl 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 Becker

Lendl lets out a shout of victory.

1991 (14th): Edberg 6-3, 1-6, 6-2 Rostagno

Edberg shows the pride of a champion.

1992 (15th): Lendl 7-6, 6-4 Holm

The seasoned Lendl claims the title for the 4th time.

1993 (16th): Lendl 6-4, 6-4 Martin

Lendl wins in a dramatic tournament.

1994 (17th): Ivanišević 6-4, 6-4 Chang

With his strong will and steady technique, Goran Ivanišević becomes the new champion.

1995 (18th): Chang 6-3, 6-4 Philippoussis

Michael Chang, a popular tennis star in Asia, becomes the last champion of the tournament.

Daily television broadcasting

Japan Professional Tennis Association
The Japan Professional Tennis Association is a group of tennis professionals, including both professional coaches and professional tennis players.

Special exhibition by

The JPTA conducts various activities for the promotion of tennis, such as seminars, junior training, and tennis clinics, enabling high-quality professional coaches andprofessional players to work together to convey the wonders of tennis.

4-3-13 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0061
TEL 03-5159-1881