Tennis tournament
The South African Open – formerly known as the South African Championships , and for sponsorship reasons the Altech NCR South African Open and the Panasonic South African Open – is a defunct Grand Prix Tennis Tour , World Championship Series, ATP Tour and Virginia Slims Circuit affiliated tennis tournament played from 1891 to 2011 in South Africa. It was part of the pre-open era international seasonal tours from 1891 to 1967 from 1968 to 1971, part of the open era independent events tour from 1972, when it became part the men's Grand Prix Tour until 1989. The women's side of the competition was only briefly part of Virginia Slims tour (1970–74) before it returned to the independent circuit.
The men's event joined the ATP Tour in 1990. It was mainly held in Johannesburg in South Africa, but played in other locations such as Cape Town , Durban , Port Elizabeth , East London , Bloemfontein , Kimberly and Pretoria . The tournament was played on outdoor hard courts it ran for a period of 120 years until 2011.
History
The first South African Championships were first played in 1891 until 1967 and took place in Port Elizabeth . The tournament was held at and organized by the Port Elizabeth Lawn Tennis Club. This inaugural edition consisted of a men's singles, women's singles, men's doubles and mixed doubles event. The tournament was not played from 1900 to 1902 due to the Boer War . After the formation of the South African Lawn Tennis Union in 1903 the location of the tournament circulated between Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth, East London, Bloemfontein, Kimberly and Pretoria. In 1905 the women's doubles competition was added. The tournament was not held from 1915 to 1919 due to World War I, and from 1941 to 1945 due to World War II. The first men's singles winner was Lionel Richardson from Bloemfontein. In 1931 Ellis Park in Johannesburg became the permanent venue for the championships.[ 1] In 1968 the event went open and was from then on known as the South African Open Sets were played on advantage until 1971; Lingering death tiebreaks at six games all were subsequently adopted. Finals were the best-of-five-sets until the tournament's suspension in 1990; upon its return in 1992 finals were reduced to the best-of-three-sets the men's tournament was suspended again from 1996 until 2006. The women's tournament was also stopped in 1982,1985 and 1988 it was played in 1990 but did not continue after that date.
ATP Tour tennis returned to South Africa in 2009 under the banner of the SA Tennis Open . The history of this event, however, is not part of the history of the Open.[ 2] The Tennis Open, which was part of the 250 series of events, was discontinued in 2011.[ 3]
The most successful male player at the South African Championships – played from 1891 to 1967 during the Amateur Era – was Eric Sturgess , who won eleven titles between 1939 and 1957 and lost a further final in 1947 to Eustace Fannin . He also holds the overall record for the most consecutive titles won – seven between 1948 and 1954. Five players share the record for the most male wins at the tournament in the Open Era – Rod Laver (1969, 1970), Jimmy Connors (1973, 1974), Harold Solomon (1975, 1976), Vitas Gerulaitis (1981, 1982) and Aaron Krickstein (1992, 1993).
The most successful female player at the South African Championships – played from 1891 to 1967 during the Amateur Era – was Mrs H.A. Kirby , who won six titles between 1904 and 1912. She also shares the overall record for the most consecutive titles won with Miss H. Grant . Both players won four consecutive titles – Grant won the first four South African titles from 1891 to 1894 and Mrs Kirby won four titles between 1904 and 1907. Margaret Court and Brigitte Cuypers share the record for the most wins at the tournament in the Open Era. Court won three titles in 1968, 1970 and 1971 and Cuypers won in 1976, 1978 and 1979.
The following comprises the full list of South African Open men's singles champions.[ 4] and South African Open women's singles champions.
Results
NB : The following tables below comprise full lists of champions from 1891 until 2011
Men's singles
Year
Champion
Runner-up
Score
1891
Lionel Richardson
Lyndhurst Winslow
6–2, 10–8, 6–2
1892
Lionel Richardson
R. Davis
Unavailable
1893
Walter T. Edmonds
Lionel Richardson
6–3, 6–3, 6–4
1894
Lennox L. Giddy
Walter T. Edmonds
6–1, 6–3, 6–0
1895
Lennox L. Giddy
Stanley Bayly
6–4, 6–3, 6–2
1896
Lennox L. Giddy
H.R. Eaton
Unavailable
1897
Lennox L. Giddy
William C. Stevens
8–10, 12–10, 4–6, 6–4, 6–2
1898
Lennox L. Giddy
George C. Collins
Unavailable
1899
Leonard G. Heard
Lennox L. Giddy
6–3, 6–2, 3–6, 6–1
1900–1902
Not held due to Second Boer War
1903
R.W.G. Clarke
H.M Steele
6–4, 6–0, 6–3
1904
Percy Sherwell
R.W.G. Clarke
6–3, 6–2, 6–1
1905
Harold Kitson
A.J. Rowan
6–1, 2–6, 6–3, 8–6
1906
John R. Richardson
Cecil E. Howard Tripp
6–4, 7–5, 6–2
1907
A.J. Rowan
Cecil E. Howard Tripp
7–5, 5–7, 1–6, 6–4, 6–3
1908
Harold Kitson
Victor Gauntlett
6–2, 5–7, 6–2, 7–9, 6–2
1909
Reginald Doherty
Lionel Escombe
6–3, 6–1, 6–1
1910
Anthony Wilding
Harold Kitson
6–0, 6–3, 6–4
1911
Harold Kitson
Father Kelly
6–4, 6–3, 6–2
1912
George Dodd
R.F. Le Sueur
6–1, 4–6, 6–3, 5–7, 6–0
1913
Harold Kitson
Harold I. Aitken
6–1, 6–4, 6–3
1914
Charles Winslow
George Dodd
4–6, 7–9, 6–2, 6–3, 6–3
1915–1919
Not held (WW1)
1920
Brian Norton
Louis Raymond
1–6, 6–4, 6–4, 6–3
1921
Louis Raymond
Marchant Davies
6–3, 6–0, 6–1
1922
Louis Raymond
George Dodd
6–3, 7–5, 6–2
1923
Louis Raymond
Jack Condon
6–3, 7–5, 4–6, 6–2
1924
Louis Raymond
George Dodd
6–4, 6–0, 3–6, 6–3
1925
Ivie Richardson
Charles Winslow
7–5, 7–5, 2–6, 4–6, 6–4
1926
Jack Condon
Cecil Blackbeard
6–0, 6–3, 6–2
1927
J.C. Guy Eaglestone
C.H. Robbs
8–6, 3–6, 6–2, 6–4
1928
J.C. Guy Eaglestone
George Dodd
6–4, 6–1, 6–4
1929
Colin Robbins
George Dodd
6–1, 6–0, 6–3
1930
Louis Raymond
Colin Robbins
6–2, 5–7, 6–3, 6–4
1931
Louis Raymond
Robert H. M. Bertram
6–3, 4–6, 6–4, 6–2
1932
Robert H. M. Bertram
Colin Robbins
2–6, 9–7, 9–7, 6–1
1933
Colin Robbins
Vernon Kirby
6–1, 1–6, 4–6, 9–7, 6–4
1934
Norman Farquharson
Roy Malcolm
4–6, 6–2, 6–3, 14–12
1935 [ 5]
Norman Farquharson
Vernon Kirby
6–0, 6–4, 6–1
1936
Norman Farquharson
Robert H. M. Bertram
6–4, 6–4, 1–6, 6–2
1937
Josip Palada
Vernon Kirby
6–2, 0–6, 4–6, 6–1, 6–3
1938
Norman Farquharson
Vernon Kirby
4–6, 4–6, 7–5, 6–3, 6–0
1939
Eric Sturgess
Eustace Fannin
6–2, 9–7, 3–6, 6–8, 7–5
1940
Eric Sturgess
Robert H. M. Bertram
6–3, 2–6, 6–0, 6–2
1941–1945
Not held (WW2)
1946
Eric Sturgess
Norman Farquharson
6–0, 6–2, 6–3
1947
Eustace Fannin
Eric Sturgess
6–1, 6–2, 1–6, 0–6, 6–4
1948
Eric Sturgess
Tony Mottram
6–3, 6–4, 6–8, 6–1
1949
Eric Sturgess
Geoffrey Brown
4–6, 6–4, 6–2, 7–5
1950
Eric Sturgess
Arthur Larsen
6–1, 6–1, 3–6, 6–2
1951
Eric Sturgess
Sydney Levy
6–3, 6–2, 7–5
1952
Eric Sturgess
Sydney Levy
6–2, 6–2, 6–3
1953
Eric Sturgess
Russell Seymour
6–1, 6–3, 6–3
1954
Eric Sturgess
Jaroslav Drobný
5–7, 6–3, 6–4, 8–6
1955
Russell Seymour
Gordon Forbes
1–6, 9–7, 6–1, 8–6
1956
Ian Vermaak
Torsten Johansson
6–2, 4–6, 3–6, 6–3, 8–6
1957
Eric Sturgess
Gaetan Koenig
9–7, 6–3, 6–1
1958
Ulf Schmidt
Torben Ulrich
1–6, 12–10, 6–2, 6–8, 6–2
1959
Gordon Forbes
Ian Vermaak
6–4, 6–4, 6–2
1960
Butch Buchholz
Jack Frost
6–1, 7–5, 6–3
1961
Gordon Forbes
Julian Mayers
8–6, 3–6, 3–6, 6–4, 6–4
1962
Bob Mark
Gordon Forbes
6–1, 6–1, 2–6, 8–6
1963
Wilhelm Bungert
Gordon Forbes
6–4, 6–4, 8–6
1964
Abe Segal
Gordon Forbes
4–6, 7–5, 6–3, 6–3
1965
Cliff Drysdale
Juan Manuel Couder
1–6, 6–3, 6–4, 1–6, 6–3
1966
Roy Emerson
Bob Hewitt
6–3, 2–6, 3–6, 6–4, 7–5
1967
Manuel Santana
Jan Leschly
2–6, 6–2, 4–6, 6–3, 6–4
1968
Tom Okker
Marty Riessen
12–10, 6–1, 6–4
↓ Open Era ↓
1969
Rod Laver
Tom Okker
6–3, 10–8, 6–3
1970
Rod Laver
Frew McMillan
4–6, 6–2, 6–1, 6–2
1971
Ken Rosewall
Fred Stolle
6–4, 6–0, 6–4
1972
Cliff Richey
Manuel Orantes
6–4, 7–5, 3–6, 6–4
1973
Jimmy Connors
Arthur Ashe
6–4, 7–6, 6–3
1974
Jimmy Connors
Arthur Ashe
7–6, 6–3, 6–1
1975
Harold Solomon
Brian Gottfried
6–2, 6–4, 5–7, 6–1
1976
Harold Solomon
Brian Gottfried
6–2, 6–7, 6–3, 6–4
1977
Guillermo Vilas
Buster Mottram
7–6, 6–3, 6–4
1978
Tim Gullikson
Harold Solomon
2–6, 7–6, 7–6, 6–7, 6–4
1979
Andrew Pattison
Víctor Pecci
2–6 6–3 6–2 6–3
1980
Kim Warwick
Fritz Buehning
6–2, 6–1, 6–2
1981
Vitas Gerulaitis
Jeff Borowiak
6–4, 7–6, 6–1
1982
Vitas Gerulaitis
Guillermo Vilas
7–6, 6–2, 4–6, 7–6
1983
Johan Kriek
Colin Dowdeswell
6–4, 4–6, 1–6, 7–5, 6–3
1984
Eliot Teltscher
Vitas Gerulaitis
6–3, 6–1, 7–6
1985
Matt Anger
Brad Gilbert
6–4, 3–6, 6–3, 6–2
1986
Amos Mansdorf
Matt Anger
6–3, 3–6, 6–2, 7–5
1987
Pat Cash
Brad Gilbert
7–6, 4–6, 2–6, 6–0, 6–1
1988
Jakob Hlasek
Christo van Rensburg
6–7, 6–4, 6–1, 7–6
1989
Christo van Rensburg
Paul Chamberlin
6–4, 7–6, 6–3
1990
Wayne Ferreira
Mark Kaplan
6–3 7–5 7–6
1991
Todd Witsken
Wayne Ferreira
4–6 6–4 6–4
1992
Aaron Krickstein
Alexander Volkov
6–4, 6–4
1993
Aaron Krickstein
Grant Stafford
6–3, 7–6
1994
Markus Zoecke
Hendrik Dreekmann
6–4, 6–1
1995
Martin Sinner
Guillaume Raoux
6–1, 6–4
1996–2006
Not held
2007 (CH)
Mathieu Montcourt
Rik de Voest
5–7, 6–3, 6–2
2008 (CH)
Ivan Ljubičić
Stefan Koubek
7–6, 6–4
2009
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
Jérémy Chardy
6–4, 7–6
2010
Feliciano López
Stéphane Robert
7–5, 6–1
2011
Kevin Anderson
Somdev Devvarman
4–6, 6–3, 6–2
Men's doubles
Year
Champions
Runners-up
Score
1969
Pancho Gonzales Ray Moore
Bob Hewitt Frew McMillan
6–3, 4–6, 6–1, 6–3
1970
Bob Hewitt Frew McMillan
Cliff Drysdale Roger Taylor
6–3, 6–3, 6–2 [ 6]
1971
Ken Rosewall Fred Stolle
Bob Hewitt Frew McMillan
5–7, 6–2, 6–1, 6–2 [ 7]
1972
Bob Hewitt Frew McMillan
Ray Moore Georges Goven
6–3, 6–3, 6–4 [ 8]
1973
Arthur Ashe Tom Okker
Lew Hoad Robert Maud
6–2, 4–6, 6–2, 6–4
1974
Bob Hewitt Frew McMillan
Tom Okker Marty Riessen
7–6, 6–4, 6–3
1975
Bob Hewitt Frew McMillan
Karl Meiler Charlie Pasarell
7–5, 6–4
1976
Brian Gottfried Sherwood Stewart
Juan Gisbert Stan Smith
1–6, 6–1, 6–2, 7–6
1977
Robert Lutz Stan Smith
Peter Fleming Raymond Moore
6–3, 7–5, 6–7, 7–6
1978
Peter Fleming Raymond Moore
Bob Hewitt Frew McMillan
6–3, 7–6
1979
Bob Hewitt Frew McMillan
Mike Cahill Christopher Mottram
1–6, 6–1, 6–4
1980
Robert Lutz Stan Smith
Heinz Günthardt Paul McNamee
6–7, 6–3, 6–4
1981
Terry Moor John Yuill
Fritz Buehning Russell Simpson
6–3, 5–7, 6–4, 6–7, 12–10
1982
Brian Gottfried Frew McMillan
Shlomo Glickstein Andrew Pattison
6–2, 6–2
1983
Steve Meister Brian Teacher
Andrés Gómez Sherwood Stewart
6–7, 7–6, 6–2
1984
Tracy Delatte Francisco González
Steve Meister Eliot Teltscher
7–6, 6–1
1985
Colin Dowdeswell Christo van Rensburg
Amos Mansdorf Shahar Perkiss
3–6, 7–6, 6–4
1986
Mike De Palmer Christo van Rensburg
Andrés Gómez Sherwood Stewart
3–6, 6–2, 7–6
1987
Kevin Curren David Pate
Eric Korita Brad Pearce
6–4, 6–4
1988
Kevin Curren David Pate
Gary Muller Tim Wilkison
7–6, 6–4
1989
Luke Jensen Richey Reneberg
Kelly Jones Joey Rive
6–0, 6–4
1990–1991
Not Held
1992
Pieter Aldrich Danie Visser
Wayne Ferreira Piet Norval
6–4, 6–4
1993
Lan Bale Byron Black
Johan de Beer Marcos Ondruska
7–6, 6–2
1994
Marius Barnard Brent Haygarth
Ellis Ferreira Grant Stafford
6–3, 7–5
1995
Rodolphe Gilbert Guillaume Raoux
Martin Sinner Joost Winnink
6–4, 3–6, 6–3
1996–2006
Not held
2007 (CH)
Rik de Voest Dominik Meffert
Stéphane Bohli Noam Okun
6–4, 6–2
2008 (CH)
Jonas Björkman Dominik Meffert
Thomas Johansson Stefan Koubek
6–2, 6–2
2009
James Cerretani Dick Norman
Rik de Voest Ashley Fisher
7–6, 2–6, [14–12]
2010
Rohan Bopanna Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi
Karol Beck Harel Levy
6–2, 3–6, [10–5]
2011
James Cerretani Adil Shamasdin
Scott Lipsky Rajeev Ram
6–3, 3–6, [10–7]
Women's singles
Year
Champion
Runner-up
Score
1891
Mabel Grant
Miss Blackburn
6–2, 6–0
1892
Mabel Grant
Mrs MacLagan
Unavailable
1893
Mabel Grant
Mrs MacLagan
6–1, 6–0
1894
Mabel Grant
Miss B. Grant
6–1, 6–0
1895
Miss L. Biddulph
Miss Fry
6–1, 6–4
1896
Mrs H. Green
Miss L. Biddulph
Unavailable
1897
Miss N. Hickman
Mrs H. Green
7–9, 12–10, 6–2
1898
Miss N. Hickman
Miss L. Biddulph
Unavailable
1899
Miss N. Hickman
Mrs H. Green
6–8, 6–2, 6–3
1900–1902
Not held (Boer War)
1903
Miss F. Kuys
Mrs Mackay
6–0, 6–2
1904
Mrs H.A. Kirby
Mrs M. Nevill (Grant)
6–4, 5–7, 6–4
1905
Mrs H.A. Kirby
Mrs S.B.Syfret
6–2, 6–0
1906
Mrs H.A. Kirby
Mrs Greatwood
7–5, 6–2
1907
Mrs H.A. Kirby
Mrs R.H.Miller
6–1, 4–6, 6–2
1908
Miss M. Kelly
Mrs Gillmore
6–2, 6–1
1909
Mrs G. Washington
Miss Edwards
6–2, 7–9, 6–4
1910
Mrs H.A. Kirby
Mrs J Reid
6–1, 6–2
1911
Mrs G. Washington
Miss M. Kelly
6–0, 6–1
1912
Mrs H.A. Kirby
Olive Mathias
6–2, 6–0
1913
Miss M. Coles
Miss M. Kelly
6–3, 9–7
1914
Olive Mathias
Mrs H.A. Kirby
3–6, 6–2, 6–2
1915–1919
Not held (WW1)
1920
Olive Winslow (Mathias)
Miss Phillips
6–3, 7–5
1921
Miss N. Edwards
Mrs W.F. du Plessis
6–1, 6–2
1922
Mrs M. McJannett
Miss J. Parker
6–2, 6–2
1923
Mrs C.K. Pitt
Mrs D.R.Moor
6–4, 6–3
1924
Irene Peacock
Mrs L. McArthur
7–5, 6–4
1925
Irene Peacock
Mrs L. McArthur
5–7, 6–1, 6–1
1926
Irene Peacock
Miss A. de Smit
6–2, 6–1
1927
Mrs M. McJannett
Mrs V. Everett
12–10, 6–4
1928
Bobbie Heine
Billie Tapscott
8–6, 6–3
1929
Mrs M. McJannett
Miss W.N. Miller
7–5, 6–2
1930
Billie Tapscott
Mrs V. Everett
7–5, 6–2
1931
Bobbie Heine
Miss W.N. Miller
6–3, 6–3
1932
Bobbie Heine Miller
Mrs W.N. Lowe (Miller)
6–0, 6–3
1933
Billie Tapscott Robbins
Mrs W.N. Lowe
6–4, 3–6, 6–1
1934
Billie Tapscott Robbins
Mrs W.N. Lowe
6–0, 6–3
1935
Mrs A. Allister
Billie Tapscott Robbins
6–4, 6–3
1936
Bobbie Heine Miller
Mrs V. Everett
6–2, 4–6, 6–4
1937
Bobbie Heine Miller
Alida Neave
6–4, 4–6, 6–0
1938
Billie Tapscott Robbins
Olive Craze
6–4, 6–4
1939
Olive Craze
Sheila Piercey
4–6, 6–3, 6–4
1940
Olive Craze
Sheila Piercey
4–6, 6–4, 6–4
1941–1945
Not held (WW2)
1946
Mary D. Muller
Mrs O. Plessis
6–4, 6–4
1947
Mary D. Muller
Sheila Piercey Summers
6–2, 6–8, 6–2
1948
Sheila Summers
Kay Menzies
6–1, 6–4
1949
Sheila Summers
Thelma Long
6–1, 6–1
1950
Shirley Fry
Doris Hart
4–6, 7–5, 6–3
1951
Sheila Summers
Hazel Redick-Smith
8–6, 2–6, 7–5
1952
Doris Hart
Julia Wipplinger
6–1, 7–5
1953
Hazel Redick-Smith
Julia Wipplinger
6–2, 6–2
1954
Hazel Redick-Smith
Gwendy Love
4–6, 6–3, 6–2
1955
Hazel Redick-Smith
Lucille van der Westhuizen
6–4, 6–3
1956
Dora Kilian
Gwendy Love
4–6, 7–5, 6–4
1957
Heather Brewer
Gwendy Love
8–10, 6–2, 6–3
1958
Bernice Carr
Heather Brewer-Segal
3–6, 7–5, 6–4
1959
Sandra Reynolds
Bernice Vukovich (Carr)
6–0, 8–6
1960
Bernice Vukovich
Sandra Reynolds
6–1, 2–6, 12–10
1961
Sandra Reynolds
Lynette Hutchings
6–4, 7–5
1962
Heather Brewer-Segal
Jean Forbes
6–1, 7–5
1963
Annette Van Zyl
Margaret Hunt
6–4, 2–6, 6–3
1964
Darlene Hard
Ann Haydon-Jones
6–3, 7–5
1965
Christine Truman
Annette Van Zyl
6–2, 6–3
1966
Billie Jean King
Margaret Court
6–3, 6–2
1967
Billie Jean King
Maria Bueno
7–5, 5–7, 6–2
1968
Margaret Court
Virginia Wade
6–4, 6–4
↓ Open Era ↓
1969
Billie Jean King
Nancy Richey
6–3, 6–4
1970
Margaret Court
Billie Jean King
6–4, 1–6, 6–3
1971
Margaret Court
Evonne Goolagong
6–3, 6–1
1972
Evonne Goolagong
Virginia Wade
4–6, 6–3, 6–0
1973
Chris Evert
Evonne Goolagong
6–3, 6–3
1974
Kerry Melville
Dianne Fromholtz
6–3, 7–5
1975
Annette du Plooy (van Zyl)
Brigitte Cuypers
6–3, 3–6, 6–4
1976
Brigitte Cuypers
Laura duPont
6–7, 6–4, 6–1
1977
Linky Boshoff
Brigitte Cuypers
6–1, 6–4
1978
Brigitte Cuypers
Linda Siegel
6–1, 6–0
1979
Brigitte Cuypers
Tanya Harford
7–6, 6–2
1980
Lesley Charles
Rene Uys
7–5, 6–4
1981
Kathy Horvath
Kathy Rinaldi
7–6, 6–4
1982–1983
Not held
1984
Chris Evert-Lloyd
Andrea Jaeger
6–3, 6–0
1985
Not held
1986
Dinky van Rensburg
Rene Mentz
6–3, 6–1
1987
Gretchen Magers
Louise Allen
6–7, 7–6, 6–4
1988–1989
Not held
1990
Amanda Coetzer
Dinky van Rensburg
6–4, 6–4
1991–2011
Not held
See also
References
^ Russell Eldridge, ed. (1977). Tennis : The South African Story . Owen Williams. pp. 14, 15. OCLC 86066820 .
^ 2009 Official Guide to Professional Tennis , page 48, compiled by the ATP World Tour.
^ "Door shut on 2012 ATP-sanctioned SA Open" . SuperSport. 4 May 2011.
^ John Barrett, ed. (1989). The International Tennis Federation World of Tennis 1989 . London: Collins Willow. pp. 408, 409. ISBN 978-0002183116 .
^ "SOUTH AFRICAN TITLE" . The West Australian . Perth. 18 March 1935. p. 15 – via National Library of Australia.
^ "Margaret Court Wins Net Title" . The Indianapolis Star . Associated Press. 5 April 1970. p. 89.
^ "Margaret Court Wins Two Titles". The Indianapolis Star . United Press. 19 April 1971. p. 75.
^ "Evonne Goolagong Wins Title". The Logansport Press . Logansport, Indiana. United Press. 9 April 1972. p. 21.
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2009