The 1986 Virginia Slims World Championship Series[1] was the 14th season since the foundation of the Women's Tennis Association. It commenced on March 24, 1986, and concluded in December, 1986 after 41 events. The season was abbreviated in order to return the tour to a calendar year basis.
The Virginia Slims World Championship Series was the elite tour for professional women's tennis organised by the Women's Tennis Association (WTA). It was held in place of the WTA Tour from 1983 until 1987 and featured tournaments that had previously been part of the Toyota Series and the Avon Series. It included the four Grand Slam tournaments and a series of other events. ITF tournaments were not part of the tour, although they awarded points for the WTA World Ranking. No Australian Open was held during 1986 due to the tournament start date being moved from November to January.
The table below shows the 1986 Virginia Slims World Championship Series schedule.
Week
|
Tournament
|
Champions
|
Runners-up
|
Semifinalists
|
Quarterfinalists
|
24 Mar |
Virginia Slims of Arizona Phoenix, United States Hard (i) – $75,000 – 32S/16D Singles – Doubles |
Beth Herr 6–0, 3–6, 7–5 |
Ann Henricksson
|
Claudia Porwik Peanut Louie
|
Camille Benjamin Hu Na Jennifer Mundel Tina Mochizuki
|
Susan Mascarin Betsy Nagelsen 6–4, 5–7, 6–4
|
Alycia Moulton Linda Gates
|
Bridgestone Doubles Championships Nashville, United States Carpet (i) – $175,000 – 8D |
Barbara Potter Pam Shriver 6–4, 6–3 |
Kathy Jordan Elizabeth Smylie
|
Mandlíková / Turnbull Parkhomenko / Savchenko
|
Fairbank / Reynolds Piatek / White Burgin / Walsh Fernández / White
|
31 Mar |
Tournament of Champions Marco Island, United States Clay – $150,000 – 24S/16D |
Chris Evert-Lloyd 6–2, 6–4 |
Claudia Kohde-Kilsch
|
Janine Tremelling Bonnie Gadusek
|
Gabriela Sabatini Pat Medrado Andrea Temesvári Kathy Rinaldi
|
Martina Navratilova Andrea Temesvári 7–5, 6–2
|
Elise Burgin Kathy Jordan
|
Week
|
Tournament
|
Champions
|
Runners-up
|
Semifinalists
|
Quarterfinalists
|
7 Apr |
Family Circle Cup Hilton Head Island, United States Clay – $200,000 – 56S/32D
|
Steffi Graf 6–4, 7–5
|
Chris Evert-Lloyd
|
Stephanie Rehe Hana Mandlíková
|
Helena Suková Sabrina Goleš Manuela Maleeva Gabriela Sabatini
|
Chris Evert-Lloyd Anne White 6–3, 6–3
|
Steffi Graf Catherine Tanvier
|
14 Apr |
Sunkist WITA Championships Amelia Island, United States Clay – $275,000 – 56S/32D
|
Steffi Graf 6–4, 5–7, 7–6(7–3)
|
Claudia Kohde-Kilsch
|
Kathy Rinaldi Gabriela Sabatini
|
Laura Gildemeister Helena Suková Manuela Maleeva Angelikí Kanellopoúlou
|
Claudia Kohde-Kilsch Helena Suková 6–2, 5–7, 7–6(9–7)
|
Gabriela Sabatini Catherine Tanvier
|
21 Apr |
Wild Dunes Charleston, United States Clay – $75,000 – 32S/16D
|
Elise Burgin 6–1, 6–3
|
Tine Scheuer-Larsen
|
Laura Gildemeister Catherine Tanvier
|
Neige Dias Susan Mascarin Debbie Spence Lilian Drescher
|
Sandra Cecchini Sabrina Goleš 4–6, 6–0, 6–3
|
Laura Gildemeister Marcela Skuherská
|
27 Apr |
U.S. Clay Court Championships Indianapolis, United States Clay – $275,000 – 56S/32D
|
Steffi Graf 2–6, 7–6(7–5), 6–4
|
Gabriela Sabatini
|
Mercedes Paz Manuela Maleeva
|
Terry Phelps Melissa Gurney Robin White Regina Maršíková
|
Steffi Graf Gabriela Sabatini 6–2, 6–0
|
Gigi Fernández Robin White
|
Week
|
Tournament
|
Champions
|
Runners-up
|
Semifinalists
|
Quarterfinalists
|
5 May |
Virginia Slims of Houston Houston, United States Clay (i) – $150,000 – 32S/16D |
Chris Evert-Lloyd 6–4, 2–6, 6–4 |
Kathy Rinaldi
|
Pam Casale Laura Gildemeister
|
Kate Gompert Wendy White Zina Garrison Wendy Turnbull
|
Chris Evert-Lloyd Wendy Turnbull 6–2, 6–4
|
Elise Burgin JoAnne Russell
|
Barcelona Open Barcelona, Spain Clay – $50,000 – 32S/16D |
Petra Huber 7–6(7–4), 6–0 |
Laura Garrone |
Arantxa Sánchez Vicario Pat Medrado |
Nathalie Herreman| Mercedes Paz Carina Karlsson Isabelle Demongeot
|
Iva Budařová Catherine Tanvier 6–2, 6–1
|
Nathalie Herreman Corrinne Vanier
|
12 May |
German Open West Berlin, West Germany Clay – $150,000 – 56S/29D |
Steffi Graf 6–2, 6–3 |
Martina Navratilova |
Claudia Kohde-Kilsch Hana Mandlíková
|
Jo Durie Petra Huber Bettina Bunge Andrea Temesvári
|
Steffi Graf Helena Suková 7–5, 6–2
|
Martina Navratilova Andrea Temesvári
|
19 May |
European Open Lugano, Switzerland Clay – $100,000 – 56S/32D Singles – Doubles |
Raffaella Reggi 5–7, 6–3, 7–6(8–6) |
Manuela Maleeva |
Sabrina Goleš Bettina Bunge |
Angelikí Kanellopoúlou Helen Kelesi Terry Phelps Mary Joe Fernández
|
Elise Burgin Betsy Nagelsen 6–2, 6–3
|
Jenny Byrne Janine Thompson
|
26 May |
French Open Paris, France Grand Slam Clay – $1,150,000 – 128S/64D/64X Singles – Doubles – Mixed doubles |
Chris Evert-Lloyd 2–6, 6–3, 6–3 |
Martina Navratilova |
Hana Mandlíková Helena Suková |
Kathy Rinaldi Mary Joe Fernández Steffi Graf Carling Bassett
|
Martina Navratilova Andrea Temesvári 6–1, 6–2
|
Steffi Graf Gabriela Sabatini
|
Kathy Jordan Ken Flach 3–6, 7–6(7–3), 6–3
|
Rosalyn Fairbank Mark Edmondson
|
Week
|
Tournament
|
Champions
|
Runners-up
|
Semifinalists
|
Quarterfinalists
|
9 Jun |
Edgbaston Cup Birmingham, Great Britain Grass – $125,000 – 56S/32D Singles |
Pam Shriver 6–2, 7–6(7–0) |
Manuela Maleeva |
Larisa Savchenko| Kathy Rinaldi |
Etsuko Inoue Ann Henricksson Alycia Moulton Molly Van Nostrand
|
Elise Burgin Rosalyn Fairbank 6–2, 6–4 |
Elizabeth Smylie Wendy Turnbull
|
16 Jun |
Pilkington Glass Championships Eastbourne, Great Britain Grass – $200,000 – 64S/32D |
Martina Navratilova 3–6, 6–3, 6–4 |
Helena Suková |
Claudia Kohde-Kilsch Robin White
|
Etsuko Inoue Zina Garrison Larisa Savchenko Gabriela Sabatini
|
Martina Navratilova Pam Shriver 6–2, 6–4 |
Claudia Kohde-Kilsch Helena Suková
|
23 Jun |
Wimbledon Championships London, Great Britain Grand Slam Grass – $1,306,690 – 128S/64Q/64D/64X Singles – Doubles – Mixed doubles |
Martina Navratilova 7–6(7–1), 6–3 |
Hana Mandlíková |
Gabriela Sabatini Chris Evert-Lloyd
|
Bettina Bunge Catarina Lindqvist Lori McNeil Helena Suková
|
Martina Navratilova Pam Shriver 6–1, 6–3 |
Hana Mandlíková Wendy Turnbull
|
Kathy Jordan Ken Flach 6–3, 7–6(9–7) |
Martina Navratilova Heinz Günthardt
|
Week
|
Tournament
|
Champions
|
Runners-up
|
Semifinalists
|
Quarterfinalists
|
7 Jul |
Ellesse Grand Prix Perugia, Italy Clay – $75,000 – 32S/16D |
Nathalie Herreman 6–2, 6–4 |
Csilla Bartos-Cserepy |
Sabrina Goleš Laura Garrone |
Isabel Cueto Ivanna Madruga-Osses Lorenza Jachia Bettina Fulco
|
Carin Bakkum Nicole Muns-Jagerman 6–4, 6–4 |
Csilla Bartos-Cserepy Amy Holton
|
14 Jul |
Virginia Slims of Newport Newport, United States Grass – $150,000 – 32S/16D Singles – Doubles |
Pam Shriver 6–4, 6–2 |
Lori McNeil |
Cammy Macgregor Anne White |
Cláudia Monteiro Wendy White Adriana Villagrán Terry Holladay
|
Terry Holladay Heather Ludloff 6–1, 6–7(4–7), 6–3 |
Cammy MacGregor Gretchen Magers
|
Elektra Cup Bregenz, Austria Clay – $50,000 – 32S/16D/32Q |
Sandra Cecchini 6–4, 6–0 |
Mariana Pérez Roldán |
Patricia Tarabini Tine Scheuer-Larsen |
Isabel Cueto Barbara Paulus Olga Votavová Gabriela Dinu
|
Petra Huber Petra Keppeler 6–2, 6–4 |
Sabrina Goleš Tine Scheuer-Larsen
|
21 Jul |
Federation Cup Prague, Czechoslovakia Team event Clay
|
United States 2–1 |
Czechoslovakia
|
Argentina West Germany
|
Australia Austria Bulgaria Italy
|
North Face Open Berkeley Berkeley, United States Hard – $50,000 – 32S/16D |
Melissa Gurney 6–1, 6–3 |
Barbara Gerken |
Beverly Bowes-Hackney Elly Hakami |
Monica Reinach Monique Javer Kris Kinney Camille Benjamin
|
Beth Herr Alycia Moulton 6–1, 6–2 |
Amy Holton Elna Reinach
|
28 Jul |
Virginia Slims of San Diego San Diego, United States Hard – $75,000 – 32S/16D |
Melissa Gurney 6–2, 6–4 |
Stephanie Rehe |
Kate Gompert Caroline Kuhlman |
Kathy Jordan Betsy Nagelsen Dinky Van Rensburg Debbie Spence
|
Beth Herr Alycia Moulton 5–7, 6–2, 6–4 |
Elise Burgin Rosalyn Fairbank
|
Week
|
Tournament
|
Champions
|
Runners-up
|
Semifinalists
|
Quarterfinalists
|
4 Aug |
Player's Canadian Open Montreal, Canada Hard – $250,000 – 56S/32D |
Helena Suková 6–2, 7–5 |
Pam Shriver |
Rosalyn Fairbank Zina Garrison |
Raffaella Reggi Marianne Werdel Catarina Lindqvist Kathy Jordan
|
Zina Garrison Gabriela Sabatini 7–6(7–2), 5–7, 6–4 |
Pam Shriver Helena Suková
|
11 Aug |
Virginia Slims of Los Angeles Manhattan Beach, United States Hard – $250,000 – 56S/32D |
Martina Navratilova 7–6(7–5), 6–3 |
Chris Evert-Lloyd |
Helena Suková Pam Shriver |
Zina Garrison Claudia Kohde-Kilsch Gabriela Sabatini Manuela Maleeva
|
Martina Navratilova Pam Shriver 6–4, 6–3 |
Claudia Kohde-Kilsch Helena Suková
|
18 Aug |
United Jersey Bank Classic Mahwah, United States Hard – $150,000 – 56S/32D |
Steffi Graf 7–5, 6–1 |
Molly Van Nostrand |
Jo Durie Monica Reinach |
Isabelle Demongeot Sara Gomer Regina Maršíková Helena Suková
|
Betsy Nagelsen Elizabeth Smylie 7–6(7–4), 6–3 |
Steffi Graf Helena Suková
|
25 Aug |
US Open New York City, United States Grand Slam Hard – $1,400,000 – 128S/64Q/64D/32X Singles – Doubles – Mixed doubles |
Martina Navratilova 6–3, 6–2 |
Helena Suková |
Steffi Graf Chris Evert-Lloyd
|
Pam Shriver Bonnie Gadusek Wendy Turnbull Manuela Maleeva
|
Martina Navratilova Pam Shriver 6–4, 3–6, 6–3 |
Hana Mandlíková Wendy Turnbull
|
Raffaella Reggi Sergio Casal 6–4, 6–4 |
Martina Navratilova Peter Fleming
|
Week
|
Tournament
|
Champions
|
Runners-up
|
Semifinalists
|
Quarterfinalists
|
8 Sep |
Pan Pacific Open Tokyo, Japan Carpet (i) – $250,000 – 28S/16D |
Steffi Graf 6–4, 6–2 |
Manuela Maleeva |
Catherine Tanvier Bettina Bunge |
Wendy White Katerina Maleeva Robin White Melissa Gurney
|
Bettina Bunge Steffi Graf 6–1, 6–7(4–7), 6–2 |
Katerina Maleeva Manuela Maleeva
|
15 Sep |
Eckerd Open Tampa United States Hard – $150,000 – 32S/16D |
Lori McNeil 2–6, 7–5, 6–2 |
Zina Garrison |
Terry Phelps Michelle Torres |
Elise Burgin Mary Joe Fernández Marianne Werdel Kate Gompert
|
Elise Burgin Rosalyn Fairbank 7–5, 6–2 |
Gigi Fernández Kim Sands
|
Athens Trophy Athens, Greece Clay – $75,000 – 32S/16D Singles – Doubles |
Sylvia Hanika 7–5, 6–1 |
Angelikí Kanellopoúlou |
Laura Garrone Mariana Pérez Roldán |
Isabel Cueto Judith Polz Lilian Drescher Federica Bonsignori
|
Isabel Cueto Arantxa Sánchez Vicario 4–6, 6–2, 6–4 |
Silke Meier Wiltrud Probst
|
22 Sep |
Virginia Slims of Tulsa Tulsa, United States Hard – $75,000 – 32S/16D |
Lori McNeil 6–0, 6–1 |
Beth Herr |
Dinky Van Rensburg Mary Lou Piatek
|
Tina Mochizuki Peanut Louie-Harper Wendy White Janine Tremelling
|
Camille Benjamin Dinky Van Rensburg 7–6(7–4), 7–5 |
Svetlana Parkhomenko Larisa Savchenko
|
29 Sep |
Virginia Slims of New Orleans New Orleans, United States Carpet (i) – $150,000 – 32S/16D |
Martina Navratilova 6–1, 4–6, 6–2 |
Pam Shriver |
Zina Garrison Gabriela Sabatini |
Terry Phelps Wendy Turnbull Laura Gildemeister Kate Gompert
|
Candy Reynolds Anne Smith 6–3, 3–6, 6–3 |
Svetlana Parkhomenko Larisa Savchenko
|
Hewlett-Packard Trophy Hilversum, Netherlands Carpet (i) – $75,000 – 32S/16D |
Helena Suková 6–2, 7–5 |
Catherine Tanvier |
Raffaella Reggi Sylvia Hanika
|
Nathalie Herreman Christiane Jolissaint Nicole Muns-Jagerman Nathalie Tauziat
|
Kathy Jordan Helena Suková 6–3, 3–6, 6–4 |
Tine Scheuer-Larsen Catherine Tanvier
|
Week
|
Tournament
|
Champions
|
Runners-up
|
Semifinalists
|
Quarterfinalists
|
6 Oct |
European Indoors Zürich, Switzerland Carpet (i) – $150,000 – 32S/16D |
Steffi Graf 4–6, 6–2, 6–4 |
Helena Suková |
Eva Pfaff Lori McNeil |
Stephanie Rehe Grace Kim Laura Gildemeister Zina Garrison
|
Steffi Graf Gabriela Sabatini 1–6, 6–4, 6–4 |
Lori McNeil Alycia Moulton
|
Taipei Women's Championships Taipei, Taiwan Carpet (i) – $50,000 – 32S/16D Singles – Doubles |
Patricia Hy 6–7(6–8), 6–2, 6–3 |
Adriana Villagrán |
Barbara Gerken Wiltrud Probst |
Helen Kelesi Gigi Fernández Hu Na Susan Leo
|
Lea Antonoplis Barbara Gerken 6–1, 6–2 |
Gigi Fernández Susan Leo
|
13 Oct |
Porsche Tennis Grand Prix Filderstadt, West Germany Carpet (i) – $175,000 – 32S/16D |
Martina Navratilova 6–2, 6–3 |
Hana Mandlíková |
Pam Shriver Gabriela Sabatini
|
Catarina Lindqvist Ann Henricksson Robin White Zina Garrison
|
Martina Navratilova Pam Shriver 7–6(7–5), 6–4 |
Zina Garrison Gabriela Sabatini
|
Suntory Japan Open Tokyo, Japan Hard – $50,000 – 32S/16D |
Helen Kelesi 6–2, 6–2 |
Bettina Fulco |
Masako Yanagi Beth Herr |
Gigi Fernández Etsuko Inoue Kumiko Okamoto Neige Dias
|
Susan Mascarin Betsy Nagelsen 7–5, 5–7, 6–3 |
Lea Antonoplis Barbara Gerken
|
20 Oct |
Pretty Polly Classic Brighton, Great Britain Carpet (i) – $200,000 – 32S/16D |
Steffi Graf 6–3, 6–3 |
Catarina Lindqvist |
Rosalyn Fairbank Bettina Bunge
|
Robin White Jo Durie Claudia Kohde-Kilsch Helena Suková
|
Steffi Graf Helena Suková 6–4, 6–4 |
Tine Scheuer-Larsen Catherine Tanvier
|
Singapore Women's Open Singapore Hard (i) – $50,000 – 32S/16D Singles – Doubles |
Gigi Fernández 6–4, 2–6, 6–4 |
Mercedes Paz |
Patricia Hy Nicole Bradtke |
Helen Kelesi Maria Lindström Akiko Kijimuta Manon Bollegraf
|
Anna-Maria Fernandez Julie Richardson 6–3, 6–2 |
Sandy Collins Sharon Walsh
|
27 Oct |
Virginia Slims of Indianapolis Indianapolis, United States Hard – $75,000 – 32S/16D |
Zina Garrison 6–3, 6–3 |
Melissa Gurney |
Barbara Potter Dianne Balestrat |
Wendy Prausa Susan Sloane-Lundy Ginny Purdy Kim Shaefer
|
Zina Garrison Lori McNeil 4–5, ret. |
Candy Reynolds Anne Smith
|
Week
|
Tournament
|
Champions
|
Runners-up
|
Semifinalists
|
Quarterfinalists
|
3 Nov |
Virginia Slims of New England Worcester, United States $250,000 – hard (i) – 32S/28D |
Martina Navratilova 6–2, 6–2 |
Hana Mandlíková |
Pam Shriver Bettina Bunge
|
Gabriela Sabatini Alycia Moulton Helena Suková Lori McNeil
|
Martina Navratilova Pam Shriver 6–3, 6–1 |
Claudia Kohde-Kilsch Helena Suková
|
Virginia Slims of Arkansas Little Rock, United States Carpet (i) – $75,000 – 32S/16D |
Kathy Rinaldi 6–4, 6–7(7–9), 6–0 |
Natasha Zvereva |
Silke Meier Neige Dias
|
Marianne Werdel Elizabeth Minter Beth Herr Ann Henricksson
|
Svetlana Parkhomenko Larisa Savchenko 6–2, 1–6, 6–1 |
Iva Budařová Beth Herr
|
10 Nov |
Virginia Slims of Chicago Chicago, United States Carpet (i) – $150,000 – 28S/14D |
Martina Navratilova 7–5, 7–5 |
Hana Mandlíková |
Zina Garrison Pam Shriver |
Gabriela Sabatini Katerina Maleeva Kathy Rinaldi Claudia Kohde-Kilsch
|
Claudia Kohde-Kilsch Helena Suková 6–7(5–7), 7–6(7–5), 6–3 |
Steffi Graf Gabriela Sabatini
|
Puerto Rico Open San Juan, Puerto Rico Hard – $75,000 – 32S/16D |
Raffaella Reggi 7–6(7–4), 4–6, 6–3 |
Sabrina Goleš |
Gigi Fernández Marianne Werdel
|
Lori McNeil Silke Meier Camille Benjamin Lilian Drescher
|
Lori McNeil Mercedes Paz 6–2, 3–6, 6–4 |
Gigi Fernández Robin White
|
17 Nov |
Virginia Slims Championships New York City, United States Carpet (i) – $500,000 – 16S/8D |
Martina Navratilova 7–6(8–6), 6–3, 6–2 |
Steffi Graf |
Pam Shriver Helena Suková |
Bettina Bunge Hana Mandlíková Claudia Kohde-Kilsch Manuela Maleeva
|
Martina Navratilova Pam Shriver 7–6(7–1), 6–3 |
Claudia Kohde-Kilsch Helena Suková
|
Titles won by player
edit
These tables present the number of singles (S), doubles (D), and mixed doubles (X) titles won by each player and each nation during the season, within all the tournament categories of the 1986 Virginia Slims World Championship Series: the Grand Slam tournaments, the Year-end championships and regular events. The players/nations are sorted by:
- total number of titles (a doubles title won by two players representing the same nation counts as only one win for the nation);
- highest amount of highest category tournaments (for example, having a single Grand Slam gives preference over any kind of combination without a Grand Slam title);
- a singles > doubles > mixed doubles hierarchy;
- alphabetical order (by family names for players).
Total titles
|
Player
|
Grand Slam tournaments
|
Year-end championships
|
Regular tournaments
|
All titles
|
Singles |
Doubles |
Mixed |
Singles |
Doubles |
Singles |
Doubles |
Singles |
Doubles |
Mixed
|
Titles won by nation
edit
Total titles
|
Country
|
Grand Slam tournaments
|
Year-end championships
|
Regular tournaments
|
All titles
|
Singles |
Doubles |
Mixed |
Singles |
Doubles |
Singles |
Doubles |
Singles |
Doubles |
Mixed
|
Below are the 1986 WTA year-end rankings (December 21, 1986) in both singles and doubles competition: