The 1973 Commercial Union Assurance Grand Prix was a tennis circuit administered by the International Lawn Tennis Federation (ILTF) which served as a forerunner to the current Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) World Tour and the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) Tour.[ 1] The circuit consisted of the four modern Grand Slam tournaments and open tournaments recognised by the ILTF. Bonus points were awarded to players who were nominated to play in certain 1973 Davis Cup ties and who miss tournaments through competing in those ties.[ 2] The Commercial Union Assurance Masters is included in this calendar but did not count towards the Grand Prix.
Key
AA events
Grand Prix Masters
A events
B events
C events
Team events
Week
Tournament
Champions
Runners-up
Semifinalists
Quarterfinalists
7 May
Rothmans British Hard Court Championships Bournemouth , Great Britain Group B Clay – 64S/32D/32XD
Adriano Panatta 6–8, 7–5, 6–3, 8–6
Ilie Năstase
Barry Phillips-Moore Ross Case
Geoff Masters Buster Mottram François Jauffret Patrice Dominguez
Juan Gisbert Sr. Ilie Năstase 6–4, 8–6
Adriano Panatta Ion Țiriac
Virginia Wade Frew McMillan 6–2, 6–3
Ilana Kloss Bernard Mitton
21 May
French Open Paris, France Grand Slam – Group AA Clay – 128S/64D/32XD Singles – Doubles – Mixed doubles
Ilie Năstase 6–3, 6–3, 6–0
Nikola Pilić
Adriano Panatta Tom Gorman
Tom Okker Paolo Bertolucci Jan Kodeš Roger Taylor
John Newcombe Tom Okker 6–1, 3–6, 6–3, 5–7, 6–4
Jimmy Connors Ilie Năstase
Françoise Dürr Jean-Claude Barclay 6–1, 6–4
Betty Stöve Patrice Dominguez
Week
Tournament
Champions
Runners-up
Semifinalists
Quarterfinalists
4 Jun
Italian Open Rome, Italy Group A Clay – $101,600 – 96S/48D
Ilie Năstase 6–1, 6–1, 6–1
Manuel Orantes
Tom Okker Paolo Bertolucci
Stan Smith Péter Szőke Jiří Hřebec Jan Kodeš
John Newcombe Tom Okker 6–3, 6–2, 6–4
Ross Case Geoff Masters
Berlin Open Berlin, West Germany Group C Clay – 32S/16D
Hans-Jürgen Pohmann 6–3, 3–6, 6–3, 6–3
Karl Meiler
Jürgen Fassbender Eddie Dibbs
Attila Korpás Ulrich Pinner Harald Elschenbroich Bernard Mignot
Jürgen Fassbender Hans-Jürgen Pohmann 4–6, 6–4, 6–4
Raúl Ramírez Joaquín Loyo-Mayo
11 Jun
German Open Hamburg , West Germany Group B Clay – 62S/28D
Eddie Dibbs 6–1, 3–6, 7–6, 6–3
Karl Meiler
Jaime Fillol Jürgen Fassbender
Paul Gerken Harald Elschenbroich Jiří Hřebec Martin Mulligan
Jürgen Fassbender Hans-Jürgen Pohmann 7–6, 7–6, 7–6
Manuel Orantes Ion Țiriac
John Player Open Nottingham , Great Britain Group B Grass – 40S/21D
Erik van Dillen 3–6, 6–1, 6–1
Frew McMillan
Tom Gorman Jimmy Connors
Jaidip Mukerjea Mark Cox Dick Stockton Stephen Warboys
Tom Gorman Erik van Dillen 6–4, 6–4
Bob Carmichael Frew McMillan
18 Jun
Rothmans Championships London, Great Britain Group C Grass – 48S/32D Singles – Doubles
Ilie Năstase 9–8, 6–3
Roger Taylor
Alex Metreveli Owen Davidson
Ismail El Shafei Jürgen Fassbender John Newcombe Cliff Drysdale
Tom Okker Marty Riessen 6–4, 7–5
Ray Keldie Raymond Moore
Rothmans South of England Championships Eastbourne , Great Britain Group B Grass – 32S/16D
Mark Cox 6–2, 2–6, 6–3
Patrice Dominguez
Onny Parun Allan Stone
Paul Gerken Andrés Gimeno Ian Fletcher Graham Stilwell
Ove Bengtson Jim McManus 6–4, 4–6, 7–5
Manuel Orantes Ion Țiriac
25 Jun
Wimbledon Championships London, Great Britain Grand Slam – Group AA Grass – 128S/64D/56XD Singles – Doubles – Mixed doubles
Jan Kodeš 6–1, 9–8(7–5) , 6–3
Alex Metreveli
Sandy Mayer Roger Taylor
Jürgen Fassbender Jimmy Connors Björn Borg Vijay Amritraj
Jimmy Connors Ilie Năstase 3–6, 6–3, 6–4, 8–9(3–7) , 6–1
John Cooper Neale Fraser
Billie Jean King Owen Davidson 6–3, 6–2
Janet Newberry Raúl Ramírez
Week
Tournament
Champions
Runners-up
Semifinalists
Quarterfinalists
9 Jul
Swedish Open Båstad , Sweden Group B Clay – $50,000 – 32S/22D Singles – Doubles
Stan Smith 6–4, 6–2, 7–6
Manuel Orantes
Björn Borg Leif Johansson
Martin Mulligan Jaime Pinto Bravo Bob Carmichael Antonio Zugarelli
Nikola Pilić Stan Smith 2–6, 6–4, 6–4
Bob Carmichael Frew McMillan
Swiss Open Gstaad , Switzerland Group B Clay – 32S
Ilie Năstase 6–4, 6–3, 6–3
Roy Emerson
Patrick Proisy Karl Meiler
Brian Fairlie Allan Stone Sandy Mayer Tom Okker
Green Shield Welsh Open Newport , Great Britain Group C Grass – 64S/32D
Roger Taylor 9–8, 8–6
Bob Giltinan
John Paish Jeff Simpson
Terry Ryan John Bartlett Byron Bertram Dick Bohrnstedt
Title shared .
Bertram / Lloyd Giltinan / Keldie
16 Jul
U.S. Professional Tennis Championships Boston , United States Group B Hard – 32S/16D Singles
Jimmy Connors 6–3, 4–6, 6–4, 3–6, 6–2
Arthur Ashe
Cliff Richey Clark Graebner
Dick Stockton Marty Riessen John Alexander Roscoe Tanner
Austrian Open Kitzbühel , Austria Group C Clay – 32S/17D
Title shared.
Raúl Ramírez Manuel Orantes
Marcelo Lara Ion Țiriac
Vladimír Zedník José Edison Mandarino Barry Phillips-Moore Vladimir Korotkov
Jim McManus Raúl Ramírez 6–2, 6–2, 6–3
José Edison Mandarino Tito Vázquez
Dutch Open Hilversum , the Netherlands Group C Clay – 32S/16D Singles
Tom Okker 2–6, 6–4, 6–4, 6–7, 6–3
Andrés Gimeno
Allan Stone Geoff Masters
Wanaro N'Godrella Attila Korpás Ian Fletcher Iván Molina
Iván Molina Allan Stone 4–6, 7–6, 6–4
Andrés Gimeno Antonio Muñoz
23 Jul
Washington Star International Washington , United States Group A Clay – $75,000 – 64S/32D
Arthur Ashe 6–4, 6–2
Tom Okker
Jaime Fillol Tom Gorman
Paul Gerken Marty Riessen Nikola Pilić Dick Stockton
Ross Case Geoff Masters 2–6, 6–4, 6–4
Dick Crealy Andrew Pattison
Volvo International Bretton Woods , United States Group C Clay – 32S/16D Singles
Vijay Amritraj 7–5, 2–6, 7–5
Jimmy Connors
Ian Fletcher John Alexander
Bob Carmichael Gerald Battrick Tom Edlefsen Rod Laver
Rod Laver Fred Stolle 7–6, 4–6, 7–5
Bob Carmichael Frew McMillan
30 Jul
First National Bank Classic Louisville , United States Group A Clay – $75,000 – 64S/32D
Manuel Orantes 3–6, 6–3, 6–4
John Newcombe
Vitas Gerulaitis Guillermo Vilas
Dick Crealy Ross Case Nikola Pilić Antonio Muñoz
Manuel Orantes Ion Țiriac 0–6, 6–4, 6–3
Clark Graebner John Newcombe
Buckeye Championships Columbus , United States Group C Hard – $25,000 – 32S/16D
Jimmy Connors 3–6, 6–3, 6–3
Charlie Pasarell
Paul Gerken Haroon Rahim
Pancho Gonzales Andrew Pattison Colin Dibley Brian Gottfried
Gerald Battrick Graham Stilwell 6–4, 7–6
Colin Dibley Charlie Pasarell
Week
Tournament
Champions
Runners-up
Semifinalists
Quarterfinalists
6 Aug
Western Championships Cincinnati , United States Group B Clay – $50,000 – 32S/16D
Ilie Năstase 5–7, 6–3, 6–4
Manuel Orantes
Nikola Pilić Jimmy Connors
John Alexander Guillermo Vilas Roscoe Tanner Patrick Proisy
John Alexander Phil Dent 1–6, 7–6, 7–6
Brian Gottfried Raúl Ramírez
Tanglewood International Tennis Classic Clemmons , United States Group C Clay – 32S/16D
Jaime Fillol 6–2, 6–4
Gerald Battrick
Jeff Borowiak Vijay Amritraj
Ross Case Brian Fairlie Georges Goven Frew McMillan
Bob Carmichael Frew McMillan 6–3, 6–4
Brian Fairlie Ismail El Shafei
13 Aug
U.S. Clay Court Championships Indianapolis , United States Group B Clay – $90,000 – 50S/22D
Manuel Orantes 6–4, 6–1, 6–4
Georges Goven
Cliff Richey Raúl Ramírez
Brian Gottfried Roscoe Tanner Patrick Proisy Paolo Bertolucci
Bob Carmichael Frew McMillan 6–3, 6–4
Manuel Orantes Ion Țiriac
Pennsylvania Championships Merion , United States Group C Grass – 64S/32D
Mike Estep 7–5, 3–6, 7–6, 3–6, 7–5
Gene Scott
Vijay Amritraj Herb Fitzgibbon
Brian Teacher Ian Fletcher Anand Amritraj Jean-Baptiste Chanfreau
Colin Dibley Allan Stone 7–6, 6–3
Jeff Austin Fred McNair
20 Aug
Canadian Open Toronto , Ontario, Canada Group A Hard – $100,000 – 64S/32D Singles – Doubles
Tom Okker 6–3, 6–2, 6–1
Manuel Orantes
Cliff Drysdale Iván Molina
Paolo Bertolucci Björn Borg John Newcombe Arthur Ashe
Rod Laver Ken Rosewall 7–5, 7–6
Owen Davidson John Newcombe
Eastern Championships South Orange , United States Group C Grass – 32S/16D
Colin Dibley 6–4, 6–7, 6–4
Vijay Amritraj
Pancho Gonzales Clark Graebner
Paul Gerken Dick Stockton Ion Țiriac Onny Parun
Jimmy Connors Ilie Năstase 6–7, 6–3, 6–2
Pancho Gonzales Tom Gorman
27 Aug
US Open New York City, United States Grand Slam – Group AA Grass – $118,000–128S/62D/32XD Singles – Doubles – Mixed doubles
John Newcombe 6–4, 1–6, 4–6, 6–2, 6–3
Jan Kodeš
Stan Smith Ken Rosewall
Onny Parun Nikola Pilić Vijay Amritraj Jimmy Connors
Owen Davidson John Newcombe 7–5, 2–6, 7–5, 7–5
Rod Laver Ken Rosewall
Billie Jean King Owen Davidson 6–3, 3–6, 7–6
Margaret Court Marty Riessen
Week
Tournament
Champions
Runners-up
Semifinalists
Quarterfinalists
10 Sep
U.S. Hard Court Championships Aptos , United States Group C Hard – 32S/16D
Jeff Austin 7–6, 6–4
Onny Parun
Haroon Rahim Dick Bohrnstedt
Tom Edlefsen Erik van Dillen John Lloyd Mike Machette
Jeff Austin Fred McNair 6–2, 6–1
Raymond Moore Onny Parun
Rainier International Tennis Classic Seattle , United States Group C Carpet (i) – $37,500 – 32S/16D Singles – Doubles
Tom Okker 7–5, 6–4
John Alexander
Tom Gorman Cliff Richey
Torben Ulrich Mark Cox Brian Gottfried Arthur Ashe
Tom Gorman Tom Okker 2–6, 6–4, 7–6
Bob Carmichael Frew McMillan
17 Sep
Pacific Southwest Open Los Angeles, United States Group A Hard – $75,000 – 64S/32D Singles – Doubles
Jimmy Connors 7–5, 7–6(11–9)
Tom Okker
Raúl Ramírez Ilie Năstase
Stan Smith Charlie Pasarell Ken Rosewall Raymond Moore
Jan Kodeš Vladimír Zedník 6–2, 6–4
Jimmy Connors Ilie Năstase
24 Sep
Pacific Coast Championships San Francisco, United States Group B Hard – $50,000 – 32S/16D Singles – Doubles
Roy Emerson 5–7, 6–1, 6–4
Björn Borg
Raymond Moore Arthur Ashe
Stan Smith Tom Gorman Roscoe Tanner John Alexander
Roy Emerson Stan Smith 6–2, 6–1
Ove Bengtson Jim McManus
Tam International Chicago , United States Group B Carpet (i) – 32S/16D
Tom Okker 3–6, 7–6, 6–3
John Newcombe
Ilie Năstase Marty Riessen
Graham Stilwell Gerald Battrick Eddie Dibbs Brian Gottfried
Owen Davidson John Newcombe 6–7, 7–6, 7–6
Gerald Battrick Graham Stilwell
Week
Tournament
Champions
Runners-up
Semifinalists
Quarterfinalists
1 Oct
Fort Worth Open Fort Worth , United States Group B Hard – 32S/16D
Eddie Dibbs 7–5, 6–2, 6–4
Brian Gottfried
Jaime Fillol Roscoe Tanner
Phil Dent Harold Solomon Andrew Pattison John Newcombe
Brian Gottfried Dick Stockton 7–6, 6–4
Owen Davidson John Newcombe
Quebec Open Quebec , Canada Group B 32S/16D
Jimmy Connors 6–1, 6–1, 6–7, 6–0
Marty Riessen
Mark Cox Kjell Johansson
Onny Parun Raymond Moore Clark Graebner Tenny Svensson
Bob Carmichael Frew McMillan 6–2, 7–6
Jimmy Connors Marty Riessen
Osaka Open Osaka , Japan Group C Hard – 32S/16D
Ken Rosewall 6–2, 6–4
Toshiro Sakai
Cliff Drysdale Željko Franulović
Jun Kuki Milan Holeček Paul Kronk Sherwood Stewart
Jeff Borowiak Tom Gorman 6–4, 7–6
Jun Kamiwazumi Ken Rosewall
8 Oct
Trofeo Conde de Godó Barcelona , Spain Group A Clay – 58S/32D Singles – Doubles
Ilie Năstase 2–6, 6–1, 8–6, 6–4
Manuel Orantes
Jan Kodeš Björn Borg
José Higueras Barry Phillips-Moore Andrew Pattison Buster Mottram
Ilie Năstase Tom Okker 4–6, 6–3, 6–2
Antonio Muñoz Manuel Orantes
Japan Open Tennis Championships Tokyo, Japan Group B 48S/24D
Ken Rosewall 6–1, 6–4
John Newcombe
Hans-Jürgen Pohmann Cliff Drysdale
Colin Dibley Brian Gottfried Jeff Borowiak Kim Warwick
Mal Anderson Ken Rosewall 7–5, 7–5
Colin Dibley Allan Stone
15 Oct
Trofeo Melia Madrid , Spain Group A Clay – 64S/31D
Tom Okker 4–6, 6–3, 6–3, 7–5
Jaime Fillol
Ilie Năstase Buster Mottram
Nikola Pilić José Higueras Rod Laver Pierre Barthès
Ilie Năstase Tom Okker 6–3, 6–0
Bob Carmichael Frew McMillan
Indian Open New Delhi , India Group B 32S/16D
Vijay Amritraj 6–4, 5–7, 8–9, 6–3, 11–9
Mal Anderson
Raúl Ramírez Mike Estep
Ian Fletcher Fred Stolle Paul Gerken Jasjit Singh
Jim McManus Raúl Ramírez 6–2, 6–4
Anand Amritraj Vijay Amritraj
Milo International Tennis Classic Manila , the Philippines Group C 32S/16D
Ross Case 6–1, 6–0
Geoff Masters
John Newcombe Colin Dibley
Milan Holeček Jürgen Fassbender Hans-Jürgen Pohmann Allan Stone
Marcelo Lara Sherwood Stewart 4–6, 7–5, 7–6
Jürgen Fassbender Hans-Jürgen Pohmann
22 Oct
Aryamehr Cup Tehran , Iran Group A Clay – 48S/21D
Raúl Ramírez 6–7, 6–1, 7–5, 6–3
John Newcombe
Željko Franulović Rod Laver
Ilie Năstase Syd Ball Hans-Jürgen Pohmann Bob Giltinan
Rod Laver John Newcombe 7–6, 6–2
Ross Case Geoff Masters
Czechoslovakian Championships Prague , Czechoslovakia Group C Clay – 32S/16D
Jiří Hřebec 4–6, 6–1, 3–6, 6–0, 7–5
Jan Kodeš
Jan Písecký Ove Bengtson
Vladimír Zedník František Pála Barry Phillips-Moore Kjell Johansson
Jan Kodeš Vladimír Zedník 7–6, 7–6
Róbert Machán Balázs Taróczy
29 Oct
Jean Becker Open Paris, France Group B Hard (i) – $50,000 – 48S/23D Singles – Doubles
Ilie Năstase 4–6, 6–1, 3–6, 6–0, 6–2
Stan Smith
Tom Okker Karl Meiler
Jean-Baptiste Chanfreau Arthur Ashe Roscoe Tanner Leif Johansson
Juan Gisbert Sr. Ilie Năstase 6–4, 6–4
Arthur Ashe Roscoe Tanner
Indonesia Open Jakarta , Indonesia Group C 32S/16D
John Newcombe 7–6, 7–6, 6–3
Ross Case
Ian Fletcher Jürgen Fassbender
Marcelo Lara Ray Keldie Gondo Widjojo Allan Stone
Mike Estep Ian Fletcher 7–5, 6–4
John Newcombe Allan Stone
Viceroy Classic Hong Kong Group C Hard – 32S/16D Singles – Doubles
Rod Laver 6–3, 3–6, 6–2, 6–2
Charlie Pasarell
Anand Amritraj Fred Stolle
Paul Gerken Mal Anderson Brian Gottfried Raúl Ramírez
Colin Dibley Rod Laver 6–3, 5–7, 17–15
Paul Gerken Brian Gottfried
Week
Tournament
Champions
Runners-up
Semifinalists
Quarterfinalists
5 Nov
Stockholm Open Stockholm , Sweden Group A Hard (i) – 48S/24D Singles – Doubles
Tom Gorman 6–3, 4–6, 7–6(7–5)
Björn Borg
Tom Okker Jimmy Connors
Stan Smith Arthur Ashe Manuel Orantes Nikola Pilić
Jimmy Connors Ilie Năstase 6–3, 6–7, 6–2
Bob Carmichael Frew McMillan
Australian Indoor Championships Sydney , Australia Group B Hard (i) – 32S/16D Singles – Doubles
Rod Laver 3–6, 7–5, 6–3, 3–6, 6–4
John Newcombe
Phil Dent Ken Rosewall
Geoff Masters Ross Case Sherwood Stewart Raúl Ramírez
Rod Laver John Newcombe 7–6, 6–2
Mal Anderson Ken Rosewall
12 Nov
Dewar Cup London, Great Britain Group B Carpet (i) – 32S/16D
Tom Okker 6–3, 6–4
Ilie Năstase
Jimmy Connors Mark Cox
Raymond Moore Patrick Proisy Tom Gorman Ion Țiriac
Mark Cox Owen Davidson 6–4, 8–6
Gerald Battrick Graham Stilwell
Benson & Hedges Classic Christchurch , New Zealand Group C 29S/12D
Fred Stolle 7–6, 6–4, 6–1
Brian Gottfried
Sherwood Stewart Fred McNair
Allan Stone Dick Dell Mike Estep Jim McManus
Anand Amritraj Fred McNair Walkover
Jürgen Fassbender Jeff Simpson
19 Nov
South African Championships [ note 1] Johannesburg , South Africa Group A Hard – 32S/16D/16XD
Jimmy Connors 6–4, 7–6, 6–3
Arthur Ashe
Cliff Drysdale Tom Okker
Byron Bertram Bob Hewitt Jaime Fillol Mark Cox
Arthur Ashe Tom Okker 6–2, 4–6, 6–2, 6–4
Lew Hoad Bob Maud
Evonne Goolagong Jürgen Fassbender 6–3, 6–2
Ilana Kloss Bernard Mitton
South American Championships Buenos Aires , Argentina Group B Clay – 32S/4D Singles
Guillermo Vilas 3–6, 6–7, 6–4, 6–6(5–5) ret.
Björn Borg
Iván Molina Eddie Dibbs
Ion Țiriac Željko Franulović Toma Ovici Jaime Pinto Bravo
Ricardo Cano Guillermo Vilas 7–6, 6–2
Patricio Cornejo Iván Molina
26 Nov
Davis Cup Final Cleveland , United States – carpet
Australia 5–0
United States
Romania Czechoslovakia
Grand Prix points system [ edit ]
The tournaments listed above were divided into four groups. Group AA consisted of the Triple Crown – the French Open, the Wimbledon Championships and the US Open – while the other tournaments were divided into Groups A, B and C by prize money and draw size. Points were allocated based on these groups and the finishing position of a player in a tournament. No points were awarded to first round losers and ties were settled by the number of tournaments played. The points allocation is listed below:
Group AA
Champion: 100
Runner-up: 75
Semifinalist: 50
Quarterfinalist: 25
Fourth Round: 12
Third Round: 6
Second Round: 3
Group A
Champion: 60
Runner-up: 40
Semifinalist: 30
Quarterfinalist: 15
9th – 16th: 7
17th – 32nd: 3
33rd – 64th: 1
Group B
Champion: 40
Runner-up: 30
Semifinalist: 20
5th – 8th: 10
9th – 16th: 5
17th – 32nd: 2
Group C
Champion: 20
Runner-up: 15
Semifinalist: 10
5th – 8th: 5
9th – 16th: 3
17th – 32nd: 1
Grand Prix rankings [ edit ]
1) Ilie Năstase 610 points, 2) John Newcombe 512.5 points, 3) Tom Okker 498 points, 4) Jimmy Connors 383 points, 5) Manuel Orantes 358.5 points, 6) Jan Kodeš 315 points, 7) Stan Smith 274 points, 8) Tom Gorman 270 points, 9) Björn Borg 240 points, 10) Arthur Ashe 236 points, 11) Rod Laver 230 points, 12) Nikki Pilic 210 points, 13) Jaime Fillol 203 points, 14) Raúl Ramírez 186.5 points, 15) Onny Parun 177 points, 16) Vijay Amritraj 169.5 points, 17) Ken Rosewall 169 points, 18) Eddie Dibbs 155 points, 19) Karl Meiler 155 points, 20) Marty Riessen 141 points, 21) Alex Metreveli 141 points, 22) Jiří Hřebec 131 points, 23) Ross Case 126 points, 24) Roger Taylor 126 points, 25) Guillermo Vilas 121 points, 26) Adriano Panatta 119 points, 27) Brian Gottfried 118 points, 28) Mark Cox 118 points, 29) Jürgen Fassbender 115 points, 30) Charles Pasarell 112 points, 31) Cliff Drysdale 112 points, 32) Paolo Bertolucci 104 points, 33) Geoff Masters 100 points, 34) Ray Moore 98 points, 35) John Alexander 98 points[ 3]
On 23 August 1973 the Association of Tennis Professionals published its first list of computer rankings, using points averages rather than points totals in their calculations. These are the ATP rankings of the top twenty singles players in the first list[ 4] and at the end of the 1973 season,[ 5] with numbers of ranking points, points averages, numbers of tournaments played, year-end rankings in 1973, highest and lowest positions during the season and number of spots gained or lost from the first rankings to the year-end rankings.
^ The tournament started on 14 November.
Collins, Bud (2010). The Bud Collins History of Tennis: An Authoritative Encyclopedia and Record Book (2nd ed.). New York: New Chapter Press. ISBN 978-0-942257-70-0 .