The 1971 Virginia Slims Grass Court Championships, also known as the Virginia Slims of Newport, was a women's tennis tournament played on outdoor grass courts at the Newport Casino in Newport, Rhode Island in the United States that was part of the 1971 Virginia Slims World Championship Series. It was the inaugural edition of the tournament and was held from August 24 through August 29, 1971. Fourth-seeded Kerry Melville won the singles title and earned $4,400 first-prize money. It is the only women's tournament to date where the singles title was decided by a sudden death nine point tiebreak.[1] [2]
Kerry Melville defeated 
Françoise Dürr 6–3, 6–7(3–5), 7–6(5–4)
Judy Dalton / Françoise Dürr defeated Kerry Harris / Kerry Melville 6–2, 6–1
| Event | W | F | 3rd | 4th | QF | Round of 16 | Round of 32 | ||
| style=background:#efefef | Singles | $4,400 | $2,800 | $1,800 | $1,500 | $800 | $300 | $150 |
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