1974 Italian Open (tennis)

The 1974 Italian Open was a combined men's and women's tennis tournament that was played by men on outdoor clay courts at the Foro Italico in Rome, Italy. The men's tournament was part of the 1974 Commercial Union Assurance Grand Prix circuit while the women's tournament was part of the Women's International Grand Prix circuit. The tournament was held from 26 May through 3 June 1974. The singles titles were won by third-seeded Björn Borg and first-seeded Chris Evert.[3][4][5][6]

1974 Italian Open
Date26 May – 3 June
Edition31st
CategoryGrand Prix (AA)
Draw64S/32D (men)
44S/22D (women)
Prize money$90,000
SurfaceClay court / outdoor
LocationRome, Italy
VenueForo Italico
Champions
Men's singles
Sweden Björn Borg[1]
Women's singles
United States Chris Evert
Men's doubles
United States Brian Gottfried / Mexico Raúl Ramírez[2]
Women's doubles
United States Chris Evert / Soviet Union Olga Morozova
← 1973 · Italian Open · 1975 →

World no. 2 Jimmy Connors and Evonne Goolagong were banned from playing in the 1974 Italian Open by Philippe Chatrier, president of the French Tennis Federation (FTF), because both had signed contracts to play in the World Team Tennis league in the United States.[7][8] The initial rounds in the men's event were played as best-of-three-set matches while the semifinal and final were played as best-of-five-set. Second-seeded Jan Kodeš was disqualified during his second round match against Tonino Zugarelli when he pushed referee Brunetti during an argument over a disputed line call. Borg's semifinal match against Guillermo Vilas was stopped at 1–1 in the final set due to darkness and was finished the next day. Borg won and had to follow up by playing the final against titleholder Ilie Năstase only two hours later.[3][5]

Finals

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Men's singles

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  Björn Borg defeated   Ilie Năstase 6–3, 6–4, 6–2

  • It was Borg's 4th singles title of the year and of his career.

Women's singles

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  Chris Evert defeated   Martina Navratilova 6–3, 6–3

Men's doubles

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  Brian Gottfried /   Raúl Ramírez defeated   Juan Gisbert /   Ilie Năstase 6–3, 6–2, 6–3

Women's doubles

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  Chris Evert /   Olga Morozova defeated   Helga Masthoff /   Heide Orth w.o.[a]

Notes

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  1. ^ Masthoff retired before the final due to an injured knee.[3]

References

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  1. ^ "1974 Rome – Men's singles draw". Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP).
  2. ^ "1974 Rome – Men's doubles draw". Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP).
  3. ^ a b c John Barrett, ed. (1975). World of Tennis '75: a BP and Commercial Union yearbook. London: Queen Anne Press. pp. 75–78. ISBN 9780362002171.
  4. ^ "Borg surprises Nastase for title". Schenectady Gazette. 4 June 1974.
  5. ^ a b "Tireless Borg halts Nastase for crown". St. Petersburg Times. 4 June 1974.
  6. ^ "Chris Evert victorious In Rome Tourney". Observer-Reporter. 3 June 1974.
  7. ^ "Connors-Goolagong lawsuit thrown out by French judge". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. 1 June 1974.
  8. ^ "Italian Open bars Connors from playing". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. 23 May 1974.
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