Grand Prix Super Series

The Grand Prix Super Series of men's tennis tournaments was part of the Grand Prix and World Championship Tennis tours between 1978 and 1989, sometimes also referred to as the Super Grand Prix. They were held annually throughout the year in Europe, North America, Africa and Asia. These tournaments were the most prestigious and highest level events of the Grand Prix Tour after the majors and year-end championships.

When the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) became the sole governing body of men's tennis in 1990, all of the surviving tournaments of the Grand Prix were absorbed into the new ATP Tour. The nine top events existing at that time are now known as ATP Tour Masters 1000 tournaments.

History The Grand Prix tennis circuit was conceived from idea put forward by former world No. 1 player Jack Kramer, turned promoter in 1968. He proposed "a series of tournaments with a money bonus pool that would be split up on the basis of a cumulative point system." and to "encourage players to compete regularly in the series and qualify for a special championship tournament at the end of the tour season". This system formed the basis of the men's professional game. The WCT founded by Lamar Hunt and David Dixon (1968) was merged into the Grand Prix Tour in 1978. The WCT withdrew from 1982 to 1984, and sued the Men's Tennis Council who organized the men's tennis tour. A settlement resulted in WCT's reincorporation into the Grand Prix in 1985. After the Majors and Year-end Championships, these events were the highest in-terms of status at the time.

Tournament finals

1978 Grand Prix – Super Series The 1978 Grand Prix circuit was the ninth edition of the Grand Prix circuit and consisted of 84 tournaments which were held from January through December. The tournaments were graded in three main categories: 1) Grand Slam events 2) Super Series tournaments with prize money of at least $175,000 and 3) tournaments with prize money between $50,000 and $175,000. Both latter categories were subdivided in four prize money categories which determined the number of ranking points available. In addition the season-ending Masters tournament carried prize money of $400,000. There were 32 Super Series tournaments, including 8 WCT tournaments.

TournamentSinglesDoublesWinnerRunner-upScoreWinnerRunner-upScoreBirmingham WCT Björn Borg Dick Stockton7–6, 7–5 Vitas Gerulaitis Sandy Mayer Frew McMillan Dick Stockton3–6, 6–1, 7–6Philadelphia WCT Jimmy Connors Roscoe Tanner6–2, 6–4, 6–3 Bob Hewitt Frew McMillan Vitas Gerulaitis Sandy Mayer6–3, 6–4Richmond WCT Vitas Gerulaitis John Newcombe7–5, 6–3 Bob Hewitt Frew McMillan Vitas Gerulaitis Sandy Mayer6–3, 7–5St. Louis WCT Sandy Mayer Eddie Dibbs7–6, 6–4 Bob Hewitt Frew McMillan Wojciech Fibak Tom Okker6–3, 6–2Palm Springs Roscoe Tanner Raúl Ramírez6–1, 7–6 Raymond Moore Roscoe Tanner Bob Hewitt Frew McMillan6–4, 6–4Memphis Jimmy Connors Tim Gullikson7–6, 6–3 Raúl Ramírez Brian Gottfried Phil Dent John Newcombe3–6, 7–6, 6–2Milan WCT Björn Borg Vitas Gerulaitis6–3, 6–3 Víctor Pecci Wojciech Fibak José Higueras Raúl Ramírez5–7, 7–6, 7–6Rotterdam WCT Jimmy Connors Raúl Ramírez7–5, 7–5 Raúl Ramírez Fred McNair Bob Lutz Stan Smith6–2, 6–3Monte Carlo WCT Raúl Ramírez Tomáš Šmíd6–3, 6–3, 6–4 Tomáš Šmíd Peter Fleming Jaime Fillol Ilie Năstase6–4, 7–5Houston WCT Brian Gottfried Ilie Năstase3–6, 6–2, 6–1 Tom Okker Wojciech Fibak Tom Leonard Mike Machette7–5, 7–5Las Vegas Harold Solomon Corrado Barazzutti6–1, 3–0 (retired) Álvaro Fillol Jaime Fillol Bob Hewitt Raúl Ramírez6–3, 7–6Hamburg Guillermo Vilas Wojciech Fibak6–2, 6–4, 6–2 Wojciech Fibak Tom Okker Antonio Muñoz Víctor Pecci6–2, 6–4Rome Björn Borg Adriano Panatta1–6, 6–3, 6–1, 4–6, 6–3 Víctor Pecci Belus Prajoux Jan Kodeš Tomáš Šmíd6–7, 7–6, 6–1Washington Jimmy Connors Eddie Dibbs7–5, 7–5 Arthur Ashe Bob Hewitt Fred McNair Raúl Ramírez6–3, 6–3Louisville Harold Solomon John Alexander6–2, 6–2 Víctor Pecci Wojciech Fibak Victor Amaya John James6–4, 6–7, 6–4North Conway Eddie Dibbs John Alexander6–4, 6–4 Van Winitsky Robin Drysdale Mike Fishbach Bernard Mitton4–6, 7–6, 6–3Indianapolis Jimmy Connors José Higueras7–5, 6–1 Hank Pfister Gene Mayer Jeff Borowiak Chris Lewis6–3, 6–1Toronto Eddie Dibbs José Luis Clerc6–7, 6–4, 6–1 Wojciech Fibak Tom Okker Colin Dowdeswell Heinz Günthardt6–3, 7–6Boston Manuel Orantes Harold Solomon6–4, 6–3 Balázs Taróczy Víctor Pecci Heinz Günthardt Van Winitsky6–3, 3–6, 6–1Los Angeles Arthur Ashe Brian Gottfried6–2, 6–4 Phil Dent John Alexander Fred McNair Raúl Ramírez6–3, 7–6San Francisco John McEnroe Dick Stockton2–6, 7–6, 6–2 Peter Fleming John McEnroe Bob Lutz Stan Smith5–7, 6–4, 6–4Barcelona Balázs Taróczy Ilie Năstase1–6, 7–5, 4–6, 6–3 Hans Gildemeister Željko Franulović Jean-Louis Haillet Gilles Moretton6–1, 6–4Sydney Jimmy Connors Geoff Masters6–0, 6–0, 6–4 Tony Roche John Newcombe Mark Edmondson John Marks6–4, 6–3Tokyo Björn Borg Brian Teacher6–3, 6–4 Ross Case Geoff Masters Pat DuPré Tom Gorman6–3, 6–4Stockholm John McEnroe Tim Gullikson6–2, 6–2 Tom Okker Wojciech Fibak Stan Smith Bob Lutz6–3, 6–2London John McEnroe Tim Gullikson6–7, 6–4, 7–6, 6–2 Peter Fleming John McEnroe Bob Hewitt Frew McMillan7–6, 4–6, 6–4Buenos Aires José Luis Clerc Víctor Pecci6–4, 6–4 Chris Lewis Van Winitsky José Luis Clerc Belus Prajoux6–4, 3–6, 6–0Johannesburg Tim Gullikson Harold Solomon2–6, 7–6, 7–6, 6–7, 6–4 Raymond Moore Peter Fleming Bob Hewitt Frew McMillan6–3, 7–6

1979 Grand Prix – Super Series The 1979 Grand Prix circuit was the tenth edition of the Grand Prix circuit and consisted of 91 tournaments which were held from January through December. The tournaments were graded in one of twelve categories which determined the number of ranking points available: Grand Slam events, comprising four Grand Slam tournaments, Grand Prix Masters, Super Series. TournamentSinglesDoublesWinnerRunner-upScoreWinnerRunner-upScoreBirmingham WCT Jimmy Connors Eddie Dibbs6–2, 3–6, 7–5 Stan Smith Dick Stockton Ilie Năstase Tom Okker6–2, 6–3Philadelphia Jimmy Connors Arthur Ashe6–3, 6–4, 6–1 Wojciech Fibak Tom Okker Peter Fleming John McEnroe6–4, 6–3Richmond WCT Bjorn Borg Guillermo Vilas6–3, 6–1 Brian Gottfried John McEnroe Ion Țiriac Guillermo Vilas6–4, 6–3Rancho Mirage Roscoe Tanner Brian Gottfried6–4, 6–2 Gene Mayer Sandy Mayer Cliff Drysdale Bruce Manson6–4, 7–6Memphis Jimmy Connors Arthur Ashe6–4, 5–7, 6–3 Tom Okker Wojciech Fibak Frew McMillan Dick Stockton6–4, 6–4New Orleans WCT John McEnroe Roscoe Tanner6–4, 6–2 Peter Fleming John McEnroe Bob Lutz Stan Smith6–1, 6–3Milan WCT John McEnroe John Alexander6–4, 6–3 Peter Fleming John McEnroe José Luis Clerc Tomáš Šmíd6–1, 6–3Rotterdam WCT Bjorn Borg John McEnroe6–4, 6–2 Peter Fleming John McEnroe Heinz Gunthardt Bernard Mitton6–4, 6–4Monte Carlo WCT Björn Borg Vitas Gerulaitis6–2, 6–1, 6–3 Ilie Năstase Raúl Ramírez Víctor Pecci Balázs Taróczy6–3, 6–4Houston WCT José Higueras Gene Mayer6–3, 2–6, 7–6 Gene Mayer Sherwood Stewart John Alexander Geoff Masters6–1, 5–7, 6–4Las Vegas Björn Borg Jimmy Connors6–3, 6–2 Marty Riessen Sherwood Stewart Adriano Panatta Raúl Ramírez4–6, 6–4, 7–6HamburgJosé Higueras Harold Solomon3–6, 6–1, 6–4, 6–1 Jan Kodeš Tomáš Šmíd Mark Edmondson John Marks6–3, 6–1, 7–6Rome Vitas Gerulaitis Guillermo Vilas6–7, 7–6, 6–7, 6–4, 6–2 Peter Fleming Tomáš Šmíd José Luis Clerc Ilie Năstase4–6, 6–1, 7–5Washington Guillermo Vilas Victor Pecci7–6, 7–6 Marty Riessen Sherwood Stewart Brian Gottfried Raúl Ramírez2–6, 6–3, 6–4Louisville John Alexander Terry Moor7–6, 6–7, 3–3 rtd. Marty Riessen Sherwood Stewart Vijay Amritraj Raúl Ramírez6–2, 1–6, 6–1North Conway Harold Solomon José Higueras5–7, 6–4, 7–6 Ion Țiriac Guillermo Vilas John Sadri Tim Wilkison6–4, 7–6Indianapolis Jimmy Connors Guillermo Vilas6–1, 2–6, 6–4 Gene Mayer John McEnroe Jan Kodeš Tomáš Šmíd6–4, 7–6Toronto Björn Borg John McEnroe6–3, 6–3 Peter Fleming John McEnroe Heinz Günthardt Bob Hewitt6–7, 7–6, 6–1Boston José Higueras Hans Gildemeister6–3, 6–1 Syd Ball Kim Warwick Heinz Günthardt Pavel SložilNot playedLos Angeles Peter Fleming John McEnroe6–4, 6–4 Marty Riessen Sherwood Stewart Wojciech Fibak Frew McMillan6–4, 6–4San Francisco John McEnroe Peter Fleming4–6, 7–5, 6–2 Peter Fleming John McEnroe Wojciech Fibak Frew McMillan6–1, 6–4Barcelona Hans Gildemeister Eddie Dibbs6–4, 6–3, 6–1 Paolo Bertolucci Adriano Panatta Carlos Kirmayr Cássio Motta6–4, 6–3Sydney Vitas Gerulaitis Guillermo Vilas4–6, 6–3, 6–1, 7–6 Rod Frawley Francisco González Vijay Amritraj Pat Du Préw/oTokyo Björn Borg Jimmy Connors6–2, 6–2 Marty Riessen Sherwood Stewart Mike Cahill Terry Moor6–4, 7–6Stockholm John McEnroe Gene Mayer6–7, 6–3, 6–3 John McEnroe Peter Fleming Tom Okker Wojciech Fibak6–4, 6–4London John McEnroe Harold Solomon6–3, 6–4, 7–5 John McEnroe Peter Fleming Tomáš Šmíd Stan Smith6–3, 6–2Buenos Aires Guillermo Vilas José Luis Clerc6–1, 6–2, 6–2 Tomáš Šmíd Sherwood Stewart Marcos Hocevar João Soares6–1, 7–5Johannesburg Andrew Pattison Victor Pecci6–3, 6–2, 6–3 Bob Hewitt Frew McMillan Heinz Günthardt Paul McNamee1–6, 6–1, 6–4

1980 Grand Prix – Super Series The 1980 Grand Prix circuit was the eleventh edition of the Grand Prix circuit and consisted of 83 tournaments which were held from January 80 through January 81. The tournaments were graded in one of twelve prize money categories which determined the number of ranking points available: Grand Slam events, comprising four Grand Slam tournaments, Grand Prix Masters, Super Series, Regular Series. TournamentSinglesDoublesWinnerRunner-upScoreWinnerRunner-upScorePhiladelphia WCT Jimmy Connors John McEnroe6–3, 2–6, 6–3, 3–6, 6–4 Peter Fleming John McEnroe Brian Gottfried Raúl Ramírez7–6, 4–6, 6–3Monte Carlo Björn Borg Guillermo Vilas6–1, 6–0, 6–2 Paolo Bertolucci Adriano Panatta Vitas Gerulaitis John McEnroe6–2, 5–7, 6–4Las Vegas Björn Borg Harold Solomon6–3, 6–1 Robert Lutz Stan Smith Wojciech Fibak Gene Mayer6–2, 7–5Hamburg Harold Solomon Guillermo Vilas6–7, 6–2, 6–4, 2–6, 6–3 Hans Gildemeister Andrés Gómez Reinhart Probst Max Wünschig6–3, 6–4Rome Guillermo Vilas Yannick Noah6–0, 6–4, 6–4 Mark Edmondson Kim Warwick Balázs Taróczy Eliot Teltscher7–6, 7–6Toronto Ivan Lendl Björn Borg4–6, 5–4 (retired) Bruce Manson Brian Teacher Heinz Günthardt Sandy Mayer6–3, 3–6, 6–4Tokyo Jimmy Connors Tim Gullikson6–1, 6–2 Victor Amaya Hank Pfister Marty Riessen Sherwood Stewart6–3, 3–6, 7–6Stockholm Björn Borg John McEnroe6–3, 6–4 Heinz Günthardt Paul McNamee Stan Smith Bob Lutz (tennis)6–7, 6–3, 6–2London John McEnroe Gene Mayer6–4, 6–4, 6–3 John McEnroe Peter Fleming Bill Scanlon Eliot Teltscher7–5, 6–3

1981 Grand Prix – Super Series The 1981 Grand Prix circuit was the twelfth edition of the Grand Prix circuit and consisted of 89 tournaments which were held from January 1981 through January 1982. The tournaments were graded in one of twelve categories which determined the number of ranking points available: Grand Slam events, comprising four Grand Slam tournaments, Grand Prix Masters, Super Series, Regular Series. The Super Series consisted of 28 tournaments with prize money of at least $175,000 (excluding Grand Slams).