| U.S. Pro Tennis Championships | |
|---|---|
| Defunct tennis tournament | |
| Tour | Pro tours (1927–69) Grand Prix Circuit (1970–89) ATP World Tour (1997–99) |
| Founded | 1927 |
| Abolished | 1999 |
| Location | United States |
| Venue | Multiple |
| Surface | Grass,Clay, Wood,Hard |
The U.S. Pro Tennis Championships (for a period from 1951 to 1962 billed as theCleveland International Pro orCleveland World Pro Tennis Championships[1]) was the oldest professional tennis tournament played until its final year of 1999 and is considered to have been aprofessional major from 1927–1967 until the advent ofOpen Era. In 1953, 1955, 1956, and 1960, the Cleveland World Pro had a women's draw, withPauline Betz winning the first three of these, and defeating the reigning U.S. women's championDoris Hart in the 1956 final.[2] Althea Gibson defeated Pauline Betz in the 1960 women's final.[3]
American's first prominent professional player,Vincent Richards, arranged what became the first U.S. Professionals by negotiating with Doc Kelton to have a tournament played at the Notlek Tennis Club, located at 119th Street and Riverside Drive in Manhattan, New York, on September 23–25, 1927.[4][5] Richards, tour proHoward Kinsey and teaching pros from the eastern U.S. comprised the field, with Richards defeating Kinsey in the final in straight sets, a victory which earned him $1,000 first-prize money.[5]
The tournament was held annually at various locations, including theWest Side Tennis Club in Forest Hills, New York City; theSouth Shore Tennis Club in Chicago; in Rye, New York; at theTerrace Club in Brooklyn; the Chicago Town and Tennis Club in Chicago; at the L.A. Tennis Club in Los Angeles; at various clubs around Cleveland, Ohio andCleveland Arena in Cleveland. In 1951, two U.S. Pro events were held, one at Cleveland won byFrank Kovacs and another at Forest Hills won byPancho Segura. In 1954, theUSPLTA authorized Kramer to hold the U.S. Pro Championships at the L.A. Tennis Club in California, Gonzales winning the event, and the Benrus Cup (emblematic of the U.S. Pro) was awarded to Gonzales.[6] There are two U.S. Pro events listed here for both 1951 (Cleveland and Forest Hills) and for 1954 (Cleveland and L.A. Tennis Club). Gonzales won two U.S. Pro titles in 1954. Its final permanent home was theLongwood Cricket Club in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, where it was held from 1964 to 1999. It became part of theGrand Prix Tennis Tour shortly after the advent ofopen tennis in 1968. From 1970 to 1977, it was a prominent tournament of theGrand Prix Super Series. It then became a tennis event within theATP Tour with reorganization of the top tier of pro tour tennis.
The tournament was later played on Har-Tru clay courts and was initially an important tune-up event for theUS Open. But when this Grand Slam tournament moved to hardcourts in 1978, the U.S. Professionals did not follow suit, electing instead to hold its tournament during the US clay court season in early summer instead of during its hitherto pre-Open Era (late summer) time slot. Remaining a clay event into the 1990s, it was a non-ATP exhibition event from 1990 through 1995. During the last stint of the tournament, from 1997 to 1999, it was again an ATP event and was played on hardcourts.
Pancho Gonzales holds the record for most wins with nine, two of those wins in the multiple year of 1954.[5][7]
| Year | Champions | Runners-up | Score | Venue | Surface |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Professional era | |||||
| 1927 | 11–9, 6–4, 6–3 | Notlek Tennis Club, Manhattan | Grass | ||
| 1928 | 8–6, 6–3, 0–6, 6–2 | West Side Tennis Club | Grass | ||
| 1929 | 6–4, 6–4, 4–6, 4–6, 7–5 | West Side Tennis Club | Grass | ||
| 1930 | 2–6, 10–8, 6–3, 6–4 | West Side Tennis Club | Grass | ||
| 1931 | 7–5, 6–2, 6–1 | West Side Tennis Club | Grass | ||
| 1932 | 6–2, 6–2, 7–5 | South Shore Country Club | Clay | ||
| 1933 | 6–3, 6–0, 6–2 | Westchester Country Club | Grass | ||
| 1934 | 6–4, 6–2, 1–6, 7–5 | South Shore Country Club | Clay | ||
| 1935 | 0–6, 6–1, 6–4, 0–6, 6–4 | Terrace Club, Brooklyn | Clay | ||
| 1936 | 4–6, 4–6, 6–3, 6–2, 6–3 | Tudor City Tennis Club, New York | Clay | ||
| 1937[a] | 6–2, 6–3, 4–6, 4–6, 6–1 | Greenbrier | Clay | ||
| 1938 | 6–3, 6–2, 6–4 | Chicago Arena | Canvas (i) | ||
| 1939 | 8–6, 6–8, 6–1, 20–18 | Beverly Hills Tennis Club | Hard | ||
| 1940 | 6–3, 5–7, 6–4, 6–3 | Chicago Town and Tennis Club | Clay | ||
| 1941 | 6–4, 6–8, 6–2, 6–3 | Chicago Town and Tennis Club | Clay | ||
| 1942 | 6–2, 6–2, 6–2 | West Side Tennis Club | Grass | ||
| 1943 | 6–1, 7–9, 7–5, 4–6, 6–3 | Fort Knox | Clay | ||
| 1944 | not held | ||||
| 1945 | 6–4, 6–2, 6–2 | Rips Tennis Courts, Manhattan | Clay | ||
| 1946 | 6–3, 6–1, 6–1 | West Side Tennis Club | Grass | ||
| 1947 | 3–6, 6–3, 10–8, 4–6, 6–3 | West Side Tennis Club | Grass | ||
| 1948 | 14–12, 6–2, 3–6, 6–3 | West Side Tennis Club | Grass | ||
| 1949 | 9–7, 3–6, 6–3, 7–5 | West Side Tennis Club | Grass | ||
| 1950 | 6–1, 1–6, 8–6, 4–4 ret. | Skating Club, Cleveland | Clay (i) | ||
| 1951 | 6–2, 3–6, 6–3, 1–6, 9–7 | Lakewood, Cleveland | Cement (i) | ||
| 1951[b][c] | 6–3, 6–4, 6–2r[31] | West Side Tennis Club | Grass | ||
| 1952 | 3–6, 6–4, 3–6, 6–4, 6–0 | Lakewood, Cleveland | Cement (i) | ||
| 1953 | 4–6, 6–4, 7–5, 6–2 | Lakewood, Cleveland | Cement (i) | ||
| 1954 | 6-3, 9-7, 3-6, 6-2 | Cleveland Arena, Cleveland | Hard (i) | ||
| 1954[d] | 6–4, 4–6, 2–6, 6–2, 6–4[37] | Los Angeles Tennis Club | Cement | ||
| 1955[e] | 21–16, 19–21, 21–8, 20–22, 21–19v | Cleveland Arena | Hard (i) | ||
| 1956 | 21–15, 13–21, 21–14, 22–20v | Cleveland Arena | Hard (i) | ||
| *1956 | 21-16, 19-21, 21-12 | Cleveland Arena (Women's event) | Hard (i) | ||
| 1957 | 6–3, 3–6, 7–5, 6–1 | Cleveland Arena | Hard (i) | ||
| 1958 | 3–6, 4–6, 14–12, 6–1, 6–4 | Cleveland Arena | Hard (i) | ||
| 1959 | 6–4, 6–2, 6–4 | Cleveland Arena | Hard (i) | ||
| 1960 | 7–5, 6–4 | Cleveland Arena | Hard (i) | ||
| *1960 | 7-5, 2-6, 6-5 | Cleveland Arena (Women's event) | Hard (i) | ||
| 1961 | 6–3, 7–5 | Cleveland Arena | Hard (i) | ||
| 1962 | 6–4, 6–3, 6–4 | Cleveland Arena | Hard (i) | ||
| 1963 | 6–4, 6–2, 6–2 | West Side Tennis Club | Grass | ||
| 1964 | 4–6, 6–3, 7–5, 6–4 | Longwood Cricket Club | Grass | ||
| 1965 | 6–4, 6–3, 6–3 | Longwood Cricket Club | Grass | ||
| 1966 | 6–4, 4–6, 6–2, 8–10, 6–3 | Longwood Cricket Club | Grass | ||
| 1967 | 4–6, 6–4, 6–3, 7–5 | Longwood Cricket Club | Grass | ||
| Open Era | |||||
| 1968 | 6–4, 6–4, 9–7 | Longwood Cricket Club | Grass | ||
| 1969 | 7–5, 6–2, 4–6, 6–1 | Longwood Cricket Club | Hard | ||
| 1970 | 3–6, 6–4, 1–6, 6–2, 6–2 | Longwood Cricket Club | Hard | ||
| 1971 | 6–4, 6–3, 6–0 | Longwood Cricket Club | Hard | ||
| 1972 | 6–4, 2–6, 6–4, 6–4 | Longwood Cricket Club | Hard | ||
| 1973[38] | 6–3, 4–6, 6–4, 3–6, 6–2 | Longwood Cricket Club | Hard | ||
| 1974 | 7–6, 6–1, 6–1 | Longwood Cricket Club | Clay | ||
| 1975 | 6–3, 6–4, 6–2 | Longwood Cricket Club | Clay | ||
| 1976 | 6–7, 6–4, 6–1, 6–2 | Longwood Cricket Club | Clay | ||
| 1977 | 7–6, 7–5, 6–4 | Longwood Cricket Club | Clay | ||
| 1978 | 6–4, 6–3 | Longwood Cricket Club | Clay | ||
| 1979 | 6–3, 6–1 | Longwood Cricket Club | Clay | ||
| 1980 | 6–2, 6–1 | Longwood Cricket Club | Clay | ||
| 1981 | 0–6, 6–2, 6–2 | Longwood Cricket Club | Clay | ||
| 1982 | 6–4, 6–0 | Longwood Cricket Club | Clay | ||
| 1983 | 6–3, 3–6, 6–0 | Longwood Cricket Club | Clay | ||
| 1984 | 7–6, 3–6, 6–4 | Longwood Cricket Club | Clay | ||
| 1985 | 6–2, 6–4 | Longwood Cricket Club | Clay | ||
| 1986 | 7–5, 6–4 | Longwood Cricket Club | Clay | ||
| 1987 | 7–6, 6–1 | Longwood Cricket Club | Clay | ||
| 1988 | 6–2, 6–2 | Longwood Cricket Club | Clay | ||
| 1989 | 6–1, 6–4 | Longwood Cricket Club | Clay | ||
| 1990[f] | 7–5, 6–3 | Longwood Cricket Club | Clay | ||
| 1991 | 7–5, 6–4 | Longwood Cricket Club | Clay | ||
| 1992 | 6–3, 6–3 | Longwood Cricket Club | Hard | ||
| 1993 | 5–7, 6–3, 7–6 | Longwood Cricket Club | Hard | ||
| 1994 | 7–5, 7–6 | Longwood Cricket Club | Hard | ||
| 1995 | not completed due to rain | ||||
| 1996 | not held | ||||
| 1997 | 7–5, 6–3 | Longwood Cricket Club | Hard | ||
| 1998 | 6–3, 6–4 | Longwood Cricket Club | Hard | ||
| 1999 | 6–4, 7–6(13–11) | Longwood Cricket Club | Hard | ||
Notes:
| Year | Champions | Runners-up | Score | Venue | Surface |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Professional era | |||||
| 1927 | no doubles event | Notlek Tennis Club, Manhattan | Grass | ||
| 1928 | no doubles event | West Side Tennis Club | Grass | ||
| 1929 | 5–7, 6–1, 6–3, 6–1 | West Side Tennis Club | Grass | ||
| 1930 | 6–2, 15–13, 7–5 | West Side Tennis Club | Grass | ||
| 1931 | 7–9, 7–5, 3–6, 6–4, 6–3 | West Side Tennis Club | Grass | ||
| 1932 | 6–2, 6–1, 6–3 | South Shore Country Club | Clay | ||
| 1933 | 6–4, 6–3, 5–7, 6–3 | Westchester Country Club | Grass | ||
| 1934 | 6–1, 6–4, 7–5 | South Shore Country Club | Clay | ||
| 1935 | 6–2, 6–3, 6–3 | Terrace Club, Brooklyn | Clay | ||
| 1936 | 6–4, 4–1, 6–2[39] | Tudor City Tennis Club, New York | Clay | ||
| 1937 | 1–6, 6–8, 6–3, 7–5, 9–7 | Greenbrier | Clay | ||
| 1938 | 6–4, 2–6, 7–5, 13–11 | Chicago Arena | Canvas (i) | ||
| 1939 | 6–2, 7–5, 11–9 | Beverly Hills Tennis Club | Hard | ||
| 1940 | 7–5, 6–3, 9–7[40] | Chicago Town and Tennis Club | Clay | ||
| 1941 | 6–4, 6–4, 6–3 | Chicago Town and Tennis Club | Clay | ||
| 1942 | 2–6, 6–3, 6–4, 6–3 | West Side Tennis Club | Grass | ||
| 1943 | 6–4, 6–0, 6–0 | Fort Knox | Clay | ||
| 1944 | not held | ||||
| 1945 | 7–5, 6–4, 6–2 | Rips Tennis Courts, Manhattan | Clay | ||
| 1946 | 1–6, 6–3, 7–5, 6–4[41] | West Side Tennis Club | Grass | ||
| 1947 | 7–5, 9–7, 4–6, 11–9 | West Side Tennis Club | Grass | ||
| 1948 | 4–6, 5–7, 6–2, 7–5, 8–6 | West Side Tennis Club | Grass | ||
| 1949 | 6–2, 6–2, 6–4 | West Side Tennis Club | Grass | ||
| 1950 | 1–6, 6–4, 6–4 | Skating Club, Cleveland | Clay (i) | ||
| 1951 | no doubles event | Lakewood, Cleveland | Cement (i) | ||
| 1951 | West Side Tennis Club | Grass | |||
| 1952 | no doubles event | Lakewood, Cleveland | Cement (i) | ||
| 1953 | 6–1, 6–4 | Lakewood, Cleveland | Cement (i) | ||
| 1954 | 11-9, 3-6, 6-3 | Cleveland Arena, Cleveland | Hard (i) | ||
| 1954 | 6–2, 6–2, 6–4[43] | Los Angeles Tennis Club | Cement | ||
| 1955 | 24–22, 21–16, 21–18[44] | Cleveland Arena | Hard (i) | ||
| 1956 | 18–21, 21–11, 21–14, 13–21, 23–21 | Cleveland Arena | Hard (i) | ||
| 1957 | 6–1, 6–4 | Cleveland Arena | Hard (i) | ||
| 1958 | W/O | Cleveland Arena | Hard (i) | ||
| 1959 | no doubles event | Cleveland Arena | Hard (i) | ||
| 1960 | 6–3, 6–4 | Cleveland Arena | Hard (i) | ||
| 1961 | 7–5, 7–5 | Cleveland Arena | Hard (i) | ||
| 1962 | 6–2, 6–3 | Cleveland Arena | Hard (i) | ||
| 1963 | 10–8, 8–6, 6–4 | West Side Tennis Club | Grass | ||
| 1964 | no doubles event | Longwood Cricket Club | Grass | ||
| 1965 | no doubles event | Longwood Cricket Club | Grass | ||
| 1966 | 6–4, 2–6, 6–4 | Longwood Cricket Club | Grass | ||
| 1967 | 16–14, 7–5 | Longwood Cricket Club | Grass | ||
| Open Era | |||||
| 1968 | no doubles event | Longwood Cricket Club | Grass | ||
| 1969 | 6–4, 5–7, 6–4 | Longwood Cricket Club | Hard | ||
| 1970 | 6–1, 7–6 | Longwood Cricket Club | Hard | ||
| 1971 | 6–4, 6–4 | Longwood Cricket Club | Hard | ||
| 1972 | 6–3, 1–6, 7–6 | Longwood Cricket Club | Hard | ||
| 1973 | 4–6, 6–4, 7–5 | Longwood Cricket Club | Hard | ||
| 1974 | 3–6, 6–4, 6–3 | Longwood Cricket Club | Clay | ||
| 1975 | 4–6, 6–3, 7–6 | Longwood Cricket Club | Clay | ||
| 1976 | 3–6, 6–3, 7–6 | Longwood Cricket Club | Clay | ||
| 1977 | 6–3, 6–4 | Longwood Cricket Club | Clay | ||
| 1978 | 6–3, 3–6, 6–1 | Longwood Cricket Club | Clay | ||
| 1979 | not played | Longwood Cricket Club | Clay | ||
| 1980 | 1–6, 6–4, 6–4 | Longwood Cricket Club | Clay | ||
| 1981 | 6–4, 7–6 | Longwood Cricket Club | Clay | ||
| 1982 | 6–2, 6–3 | Longwood Cricket Club | Clay | ||
| 1983 | 7–5, 6–3 | Longwood Cricket Club | Clay | ||
| 1984 | 6–4, 6–4 | Longwood Cricket Club | Clay | ||
| 1985 | 2–6, 6–4, 7–6 | Longwood Cricket Club | Clay | ||
| 1986 | 4–6, 7–5, 6–0 | Longwood Cricket Club | Clay | ||
| 1987 | 7–6, 3–6, 6–1 | Longwood Cricket Club | Clay | ||
| 1988 | 6–2, 7–5 | Longwood Cricket Club | Clay | ||
| 1989 | 7–6, 6–2 | Longwood Cricket Club | Clay | ||
| 1990–96 | not held | ||||
| 1997 | 6–3, 7–6(7–3) | Longwood Cricket Club | Hard | ||
| 1998 | 6–3, 6–2 | Longwood Cricket Club | Hard | ||
| 1999 | 5–7, 7–6(7–2), 6–3 | Longwood Cricket Club | Hard | ||
Source:[45]