Orlando Professional Championships
| Orlando Professional Championships | |
|---|---|
| Defunct tennis tournament | |
| Tour | Pro Tennis Tour (1942, 1964-1967) WCT Circuit (1968) ILTF World Circuit (1969) |
| Founded | 1942 |
| Abolished | 1969 |
| Location | Orlando, United States |
| Venue | Orlando Tennis Club Orlando Sports Stadium |
| Surface | Clay / outdoor Carpet / indoor |
The Orlando Professional Championships also known WCT Orlando Pro Championships was a men's professional tennis tournament founded in 1942.[1] It was held in Orlando, Florida, United States.[1] In 1968 it was part of the WCT Circuit. In 1969 it became part of National Tennis League then was discontinued.[1]
History[edit]
The Orlando Professional Championships was a men's and women's tennis tournament sanctioned by the Professional Lawn Tennis Association,[2] and first held from 24 January to 2 February 1942,[1] and was played on outdoor clay courts of the Orlando Tennis Club in Orlando, Florida, United States.[1] That event was discontinued, but in 1964 the tournament was revived at the same venue. The 1968 edition was part of the WCT Circuit that year and branded as the WCT Orlando Pro Championships,[3] and was held at the Orlando Sports Stadium and played on indoor astroturf courts.[4] In 1969 it was not renewed as a WCT Circuit event and instead became part of the National Tennis League for one season only,[1] when it was branded as the Orlando Invitational Pro Championships.[5] This tournament was succeeded by a new Orlando tennis event in 1974,[1] called the WCT Orlando Classic played at the Vistana Racquet Club.[6]
Finals[edit]
Men's singles[edit]
(Incomplete roll)
| Year | Champions | Runners-up | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1942[7] |  Wayne Sabin |
Keith Gledhill |
4–6, 6–3, 8–6, 6–2.[1] |
| 1964 | Pancho Gonzales |
Pancho Segura |
6–2, 6–3, 6–3.[1] |
| 1965[8] | Pancho Gonzales (2) |
Pancho Segura |
6–1, 6–1.[1] |
| 1966[9] | Pancho Gonzales (3) |
 Rod Laver |
6–3, 6–0.[1] |
| 1967 | Rod Laver |
Pancho Gonzales |
6–4, 2–6, 6–0.[1] |
| 1968[10] | Dennis Ralston |
 Niki Pilic |
31–28 RR Final.[1] |
| ↓ Open era ↓ | |||
| 1969 | Rod Laver (2) |
Ken Rosewall |
6–3, 6–2.[1] |
Event names[edit]
- Orlando Professional Championships (1942, 1964–1967)
- WCT Orlando Pro Championships (1968)
- Orlando Invitational Pro Championships (1969)
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "Tournaments: Orlando Professional Championships". The Tennis Base. Madrid, Spain: Tennismem SL. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
- ^ "PRO NETTERS READY FOR ORLANDO TOURNEY". The Palm Beach Post. West Palm Beach, Florida: newspapers.comm. 25 Jan 1942. p. 16. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
- ^ McCauley, Joe (2003). The History of Professional Tennis. Windsor, Berkshire, England: Short Run Book Company. p. 254. ASIN B001EOVE56.
- ^ "Pro Netters In Orlando Tonight". The Orlando Sentinel. Orlando, Florida: newspapers.com. 20 Feb 1968. p. 21. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
- ^ "Rod Laver Wins Meet". Omaha World-Herald. Omaha, Nebraska: newspapers.com. 12 Feb 1969. p. 52. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
- ^ "George Baylor: Man Behind Classic's Sprint To Birth". The Orlando Sentinel. Orlando, Florida: newspapers.com. 7 Apr 1974. p. 25. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
- ^ "Wayne Sabin Wins Orlando Pro Play". The Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, California: newspapers.com. 2 Feb 1942. p. 15. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
- ^ McCarthy, Larry (12 Apr 1965). "'He's Too Good' - Segura". The Orlando Sentinel. Orlando, Florida: newspapers.com. p. 5. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
- ^ Mueller, Ralph (12 Dec 1966). "Pancho Enjoys Visit". Orlando Evening Star. Orlando, Florida: newspapers.com. p. 7. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
- ^ "NET CROWN FOR RALSTON". The Kansas City Star. Kansas City, Missouri: newspapers.com. 23 Feb 1968. p. 22. Retrieved 22 January 2024.