1977 Italian Open (tennis)

The 1977 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 Colgate-Palmolive Grand Prix circuit while the women's tournament was part of the Colgate Series. The tournament was held from 16 May through 22 May 1977. The singles titles were won by eight-seeded Vitas Gerulaitis and fifth-seeded Janet Newberry who earned $21,000 and $6,000 first-prize money respectively. Gerulaitis competed despite being contracted to play for the Indiana Loves World Team Tennis (WTT) franchise and was fined $19,000 for failing to play Björn Borg in the weekend of the final.[3][4][5]

1977 Italian Open
Date16–22 May
Edition34th
Prize money$125,000 (M)
$35,000 (W)
SurfaceClay / outdoor
LocationRome, Italy
VenueForo Italico
Champions
Men's singles
United States Vitas Gerulaitis[1]
Women's singles
United States Janet Newberry
Men's doubles
United States Brian Gottfried / Mexico Raúl Ramírez[2]
Women's doubles
South Africa Brigitte Cuypers / South Africa Marise Kruger
← 1976 · Italian Open · 1978 →

Finals

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Men's singles

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  Vitas Gerulaitis defeated   Antonio Zugarelli 6–2, 7–6(7–2), 3–6, 7–6(7–5)

  • It was Gerulaitis' 2nd singles title of the year and the 5th of his career.

Women's singles

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  Janet Newberry defeated   Renáta Tomanová 6–3, 7–6(7–5)

  • It was Newberry's only singles title of the year and the 2nd and last of her career.

Men's doubles

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  Brian Gottfried /   Raúl Ramírez defeated   Fred McNair /   Sherwood Stewart 6–7, 7–6, 7–5

Women's doubles

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  Brigitte Cuypers /   Marise Kruger defeated   Bunny Bruning /   Sharon Walsh 3–6, 7–5, 6–2

References

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  1. ^ "1977 Rome – Men's singles draw". Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP).
  2. ^ "1977 Rome – Men's doubles draw". Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP).
  3. ^ John Barrett, ed. (1978). World of Tennis 1978 : a BP yearbook. London: Macdonald and Janes. pp. 97–98. ISBN 9780354090391.
  4. ^ "It's Veni, Vidi, Vici for Vitas". Sports Illustrated. 15 August 1977.
  5. ^ "Gerulaitis, Newberry Capture Italian Open Tennis Crowns". The Hour. UPI. 23 May 1977. p. 22.
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