Jacksonville Open (tennis) explained

Jacksonville Open
Type:defunct
Location:Jacksonville, Florida, United States
Surface:Hard (outdoor)
Hard (indoor)

The Jacksonville Open also known as the Greater Jacksonville Invitation[1] or Greater Jacksonville Open[2] is a defunct men's and women's tennis tournament founded in 1961 as the Jacksonville Invitation originally played on outdoor hard courts later switching to indoor courts. The tournament ran until 1977.

History

The Jacksonville Open tennis tournament was founded in 1961 as the Jacksonville Invitation. The tournament was part South Florida-Caribbean Circuit which was a major feature of the international tennis scene in from the 1930s to early 1970s. In 1972 it part of the 1972 USLTA Indoor Circuit. The event was held in Jacksonville, Florida and was played on indoor hard courts. Jimmy Connors won the singles title, defeating Clark Graebner in the final.

In 1970 a women's event was included in the schedule for one year only that was won by Nancy Richey.[3] In 1972 a Jacksonsville Invitation tournament for women was established as an outdoor clay court event.[4] It sponsorship name was the Virginia Slims of Jacksonville.

Finals

Men's singles

YearWinnersRunners-upScore
1961 Bill Tym Jack Bryan6–0, 7–5, 11–9
1964 Paul Scarpa Hank Veno6–1, 6–1
1968 Clark Graebner Ronald Holmberg8–6, 6–2
1969[5] Pancho Guzmán Mike Belkin6–4, 6–2
1970[6] Arthur Ashe Brian Fairlie6–3, 4–6, 6–3[7]
1971[8] Tom Edlefsen Clark Graebner7–5, 4–6, 6–3
1972[9] 7–5, 6–4
1975 Bill Cantrell 6–4, 5–7, 6–3
1977 Bill Cantrell 6–3, 6–0

Women's singles

Note: two editions were held in 1970 in March and May.

YearWinnersRunners-upScore
Greater Jacksonville Invitation
1969[10] Judy Alvarez Wendy Overton7–5, 2–6, 6–1
Greater Jacksonville Open
1970[11] Nancy Richey Val Ziegenfuss6–1, 6–3
Jacksonville Invitation
1970 Isabel Fernández de Soto Toni Kramer6–0, 6–2

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Court Brief's with Peit Hudson . 24 October 2023 . . The Wikipedia Library - newspapers.com . 11 Apr 1969 . Pensacola, Florida . 26 . en.
  2. News: Ashe Survives Fairlie's Upset Bid To Win Jacsksonville Tennis Crown . 14 September 2023 . . The Wikipedia Library: Newspapers.Com . 30 Mar 1970 . Newport News, Virginia . 13. subscription.
  3. Daily Press (Virginia)
  4. News: Court Nets Tennis Win . 7 March 2023 . El Paso Herald Post . Newspaper Archives . 24 April 1973 . El Paso, Texas, United States . 23.
  5. Web site: Jacksonville Results 1969 . ATP Tour . ATP . 7 March 2023.
  6. Web site: Jacksonville Results 1970 . ATP Tour . ATP . 7 March 2023.
  7. Daily Press (Virginia)
  8. Web site: Jacksonville Results 1971 . ATP Tour . ATP . 7 March 2023.
  9. Web site: Jacksonville Results 1972 . ATP Tour . ATP . 7 March 2023.
  10. Pensacola News Journal
  11. Daily Press (Virginia)