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1972 World Championship Tennis circuit

Professional male tennis circuit


Professional male tennis circuit

AUS Ken Rosewall (7) The 1972 World Championship Tennis circuit was one of the two rival professional male tennis circuits of 1972. It was organized by World Championship Tennis (WCT). The circuit included twenty-three regular events, and two circuit finals, one taking place in May, counting for the second half of the 1971 season, and the first part of the 1972 season, and a smaller one taking place in November, counting for the second half of the 1972 season, from July through November.

Schedule

This is the complete schedule of events on the 1972 WCT circuit, with player progression documented until the quarterfinals stage.

;Key

Regular series

February

WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists
6 Feb[Fidelity WCT](1972-fidelity-wct-tournament)
Richmond, United States
Regular series
Carpet (i) – $50,000 – 32S/16D
[Singles](1972-fidelity-wct-tournament-singles) – [Doubles](1972-fidelity-wct-tournament-doubles)AUS Rod Laver
2–6, 6–3, 7–5, 6–3RSA Cliff DrysdaleUSA Arthur Ashe
AUS John NewcombeUSA Robert Lutz
AUS Roy Emerson
USA Charlie Pasarell
GBR Roger Taylor
NED Tom Okker
USA Marty Riessen
7–6, 7–6AUS John Newcombe
AUS Tony Roche
8 Feb[U.S. Professional Indoor](1972-u-s-professional-indoor)
Philadelphia, United States
Regular series
Carpet (i) – $50,000 – 32S/16D
[Singles](1972-u-s-professional-indoor-singles) – [Doubles](1972-u-s-professional-indoor-doubles)AUS Rod Laver
4–6, 6–2, 6–2, 6–2AUS Ken RosewallUSA Arthur Ashe
NED Tom OkkerUSA Marty Riessen
RSA Cliff Drysdale
USA Jeff Borowiak
USA Robert Lutz
USA Arthur Ashe
USA Robert Lutz
6–3, 6–7, 6–3AUS John Newcombe
AUS Tony Roche
20 Feb[Canadian Open (WCT)](1972-canadian-open-wct)
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Regular series
Carpet (i) – $50,000 – 32S/16D
[Singles](1972-canadian-open-singles) – [Doubles](1972-canadian-open-doubles)AUS Rod Laver
6–1, 6–4AUS Ken RosewallNED Tom Okker
USA Charlie PasarellGBR Roger Taylor
AUS Roy Emerson
AUS Fred Stolle
USA Marty Riessen
AUS Bob Carmichael
AUS Ray Ruffels
6–4, 4–6, 6–4AUS Roy Emerson
AUS Rod Laver

March

WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists
5 Mar[Saga Bay Tennis Classic](1972-saga-bay-tennis-classic)
Hollywood, United States
Regular series
Hard – $50,000 – 32S/16D
[Singles](1972-saga-bay-tennis-classic-singles) – [Doubles](1972-saga-bay-tennis-classic-doubles)AUS Ken Rosewall
3–6, 6–2, 6–4RSA Cliff DrysdaleAUS Fred Stolle
USA Charlie PasarellGBR Roger Taylor
EGY Ismail El Shafei
GBR Mark Cox
USA Arthur Ashe
NED Tom Okker
USA Marty Riessen
7–5, 6–4AUS Roy Emerson
AUS Rod Laver
16 Mar[Kemper International Tennis Tournament](1972-kemper-international-tennis-tournament)
Chicago, United States
Regular series
Carpet (i) – $50,000 – 32S/16D
[Singles](1972-kemper-international-tennis-tournament-singles) – [Doubles](1972-kemper-international-tennis-tournament-doubles)NED Tom Okker
4–6, 6–2, 6–3USA Arthur AsheUSA Robert Lutz
AUS Ken RosewallUSA Charlie Pasarell
USA Marty Riessen
AUS John Alexander
USA Robert Lutz
NED Tom Okker
USA Marty Riessen
6–2, 6–3AUS Roy Emerson
AUS Rod Laver

April

WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists
9 Apr[River Oaks Tennis Tournament](1972-river-oaks-tennis-tournament)
Houston, United States
Regular series
Clay – $50,000 – 32S/16D
[Singles](1972-river-oaks-tennis-tournament-singles) – [Doubles](1972-river-oaks-tennis-tournament-doubles)AUS Rod Laver
6–2, 6–4AUS Ken RosewallNED Tom Okker
GBR Roger TaylorAUS William Bowrey
AUS John Alexander
AUS John Newcombe
YUG Nikola Pilić
AUS Roy Emerson
AUS Rod Laver
6–3, 6–3AUS Ken Rosewall
AUS Fred Stolle
16 Apr[Rothmans International Quebec](1972-rothmans-international-quebec)
Quebec City, Canada
Regular series
Carpet (i) – $50,000 – 32S/16D
[Singles](1972-quebec-international-tennis-open-singles) – [Doubles](1972-quebec-international-tennis-open-doubles)USA Marty Riessen
7–5, 6–2, 7–5AUS Rod LaverRSA Cliff Drysdale
USA Arthur AsheUSA Charlie Pasarell
GBR Roger Taylor
AUS Roy Emerson
AUS Ken Rosewall
AUS Bob Carmichael
AUS Ray Ruffels
4–6, 6–3, 7–5AUS Terry Addison
AUS John Alexander
23 Apr[Charlotte Tennis Classic](1972-charlotte-tennis-classic)
Charlotte, United States
Regular series
Clay – $50,000 – 32S/16D
[Singles](1972-charlotte-tennis-classic-singles) – [Doubles](1972-charlotte-tennis-classic-doubles)AUS Ken Rosewall
2–6, 6–2, 6–2USA Cliff RicheyRSA Cliff Drysdale
AUS John AlexanderGBR Mark Cox
AUS William Bowrey
NED Tom Okker
USA Marty Riessen
NED Tom Okker
USA Marty Riessen
6–4, 4–6, 7–6AUS John Newcombe
AUS Tony Roche
30 Apr[United Bank Classic](1972-united-bank-classic)
Denver, United States
Regular series
Carpet (i) – $50,000 – 32S
[Singles](1972-united-bank-classic-singles)AUS Rod Laver
4–6, 6–3, 6–4USA Marty RiessenAUS Roy Emerson
NED Tom OkkerUSA Robert Lutz
AUS John Newcombe
USA Arthur Ashe
AUS John Alexander
AUS Roy Emerson
AUS Rod Laver
1–6, 6–4, 6–3RSA Cliff Drysdale
GBR Roger Taylor

May

WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists
1 May[Alan King Tennis Classic](1972-alan-king-tennis-classic)
Las Vegas, United States
Regular series
$50,000 – hard – 32S/16D
[Singles](1972-alan-king-tennis-classic-singles) – [Doubles](1972-alan-king-tennis-classic-doubles)AUS John Newcombe
6–3, 6–4RSA Cliff DrysdaleUSA Marty Riessen
USA Frank FroehlingAUS Rod Laver
GBR Roger Taylor
NED Tom Okker
AUS Ken Rosewall
AUS Roy Emerson
AUS Rod Laver
defaultAUS John Newcombe
AUS Tony Roche
10 May[WCT Finals](1972-world-championship-tennis-finals)
Dallas, United States
WCT Finals
$50,000 – carpet (i) – 8S
[Singles](1972-world-championship-tennis-finals-singles)AUS Ken Rosewall
4–6, 6–0, 6–3, 6–7, 7–6AUS Rod LaverUSA Marty Riessen
USA Arthur AsheAUS John Newcombe
RSA Cliff Drysdale
NED Tom Okker
USA Robert Lutz

July

WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists
1 Jul[Holton Tennis Classic](1972-holton-tennis-classic)
St. Louis, United States
Regular series
Carpet (i) – $50,000 – 32S/16D
[Singles](1972-holton-tennis-classic-singles) – [Doubles](1972-holton-tennis-classic-doubles)AUS John Newcombe
6–3, 6–3YUG Nikola PilićRSA Cliff Drysdale
USA Charlie PasarellAUS Tony Roche
NED Tom Okker
USA Marty Riessen
USA Cliff Richey
AUS John Newcombe
AUS Tony Roche
7–6, 6–2AUS John Alexander
AUS Phil Dent
12 Jul[Washington Star International](1972-washington-star-international)
Washington, United States
Regular series
Clay – $50,000 – 32S/16D
[Singles](1972-washington-star-international-singles) – [Doubles](1972-washington-star-international-doubles)AUS Tony Roche
3–6, 7–6, 6–4USA Marty RiessenAUS Ray Ruffels
AUS John NewcombeAUS John Alexander
USA Cliff Richey
USA Arthur Ashe
EGY Ismail El Shafei
NED Tom Okker
USA Marty Riessen
3–6, 6–3, 6–2AUS John Newcombe
AUS Tony Roche
29 Jul[First National Tennis Classic](1972-first-national-tennis-classic)
Louisville, United States
Regular series
Clay – $50,000 – 32S/16D
[Singles](1972-first-national-tennis-classic-singles) – [Doubles](1972-first-national-tennis-classic-doubles)USA Arthur Ashe
6–4, 6–4GBR Mark CoxAUS John Newcombe
RSA Cliff DrysdaleUSA Marty Riessen
AUS Tony Roche
NED Tom Okker
YUG Nikola Pilić
AUS John Alexander
USA Phil Dent
6–4, 6–3USA Arthur Ashe
USA Robert Lutz

August

WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists
6 Aug[U.S. Pro Tennis Championships](1972-u-s-pro-tennis-championships)
Boston, United States
Hard – $50,000 – 32S/16D
[Singles](1972-u-s-pro-tennis-championships-singles) – [Doubles](1972-u-s-pro-tennis-championships-doubles)USA Robert Lutz
6–4, 2–6, 6–4, 6–4NED Tom OkkerRSA Cliff Drysdale
USA Arthur AsheAUS Rod Laver
USA Marty Riessen
YUG Nikola Pilić
AUS Tony Roche
AUS Tony Roche
AUS John Newcombe
6–3, 1–6, 7–6USA Arthur Ashe
USA Robert Lutz
13 Aug[Cleveland Classic](1972-cleveland-classic)
Cleveland, United States
Regular series
Hard – $50,000 – 32S/16D
[Singles](1972-cleveland-classic-singles) – [Doubles](1972-cleveland-classic-doubles)GBR Mark Cox
6–3, 4–6, 4–6, 6–3, 6–4AUS Ray RuffelsGBR Roger Taylor
RSA Cliff DrysdaleAUS Ken Rosewall
YUG Nikola Pilić
USA Marty Riessen
EGY Ismail El Shafei
RSA Cliff Drysdale
GBR Roger Taylor
7–6, 6–3USA Frank Froehling
USA Charlie Pasarell
20 Aug[Colonial Nat'l Invitation Tennis Tournament](1972-colonial-national-invitation-tennis-tournament)
Fort Worth, United States
Regular series
Hard – 32S/16D
[Singles](1972-colonial-national-invitation-tennis-tournament-singles) – [Doubles](1972-colonial-national-invitation-tennis-tournament-doubles)AUS John Newcombe
5–7, 1–6, 7–5, 6–4, 6–4AUS Ken RosewallNED Tom Okker
USA Arthur AsheAUS John Alexander
AUS Tony Roche
GBR Graham Stilwell
USA Marty Riessen
NED Tom Okker
USA Marty Riessen
6–2, 6–2AUS Ken Rosewall
AUS Fred Stolle

September

WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists
11 Sep[Rothmans International](1972-montreal-wct)
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Regular series
Hard – 32S/16D
[Singles](1972-montreal-rothmans-international-singles) – [Doubles](1972-montreal-rothmans-international-doubles)USA Arthur Ashe
7–5, 4–6, 6–2, 6–3AUS Roy EmersonEGY Ismail El Shafei
NED Tom OkkerAUS John Newcombe
USA Marty Riessen
RSA Cliff Drysdale
USA Cliff Richey
NED Tom Okker
USA Marty Riessen
6–1, 4–6, 7–6USA Robert Maud
AUS Ken Rosewall

October

WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists
1 Oct[Redwood Bank Pacific Coast Championships](1972-redwood-bank-international-tennis-tournament)
Alamo, United States
Regular series
Hard – 32S/16D
[Singles](1972-redwood-bank-international-tennis-tournament-singles) – [Doubles](1972-redwood-bank-international-tennis-tournament-doubles)AUS John Newcombe
6–1, 6–1, 7–5RSA Cliff DrysdaleNED Tom Okker
USA Arthur AsheAUS Terry Addison
GBR Mark Cox
AUS John Alexander
AUS Roy Emerson
NED Tom Okker
USA Marty Riessen
7–6, 6–4EGY Ismail El Shafei
NZL Brian Fairlie
22 Oct[Rothmans International](1972-rothmans-international-vancouver)
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Regular series
Carpet – 32S/16D
[Singles](1972-vancouver-rothmans-international-singles) – [Doubles](1972-vancouver-rothmans-international-doubles)AUS John Newcombe
6–7, 7–6, 7–6, 7–5USA Marty RiessenGBR Mark Cox
USA Robert LutzAUS Roy Emerson
NED Tom Okker
NZL Brian Fairlie
USA Arthur Ashe
AUS John Newcombe
AUS Fred Stolle
7–6, 6–0RSA Cliff Drysdale
AUS Allan Stone
29 Oct[Canada Dry International](1972-essen-wct)
Essen, West Germany
Regular series
Carpet (i) – 32S/16D
[Singles](1972-canada-international-singles)YUG Nikola Pilić
4–6, 6–4, 3–6, 6–4, 7–6USA Robert LutzUSA Cliff Richey
EGY Ismail El ShafeiAUS John Newcombe
FRG Wilhelm Bungert
NED Tom Okker
USA Arthur Ashe

November

WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists
5 Nov[Swedish Pro Tennis Championships](1972-swedish-pro-tennis-championships)
Gothenburg, Sweden
Regular series
Carpet (i) – $50,000 – 32S/16D
[Singles](1972-swedish-pro-tennis-championships-singles) – [Doubles](1972-swedish-pro-tennis-championships-doubles)AUS John Newcombe
6–0, 6–3, 6–1AUS Roy EmersonNED Tom Okker
GBR Mark CoxAUS Allan Stone
GBR Roger Taylor
PAK Haroon Rahim
USA Jeff Borowiak
NED Tom Okker
USA Marty Riessen
6–2, 7–6EGY Ismail El Shafei
NZL Brian Fairlie
18 Nov[Rotterdam Indoors](1972-rotterdam-indoors)
Rotterdam, Netherlands
Regular series
Carpet (i) – $50,000 – 32S/16D
[Singles](1972-rotterdam-indoors-singles) – [Doubles](1972-rotterdam-indoors-doubles)USA Arthur Ashe
3–6, 6–2, 6–1NED Tom OkkerAUS John Newcombe
GBR Mark CoxUSA Charlie Pasarell
USA Robert Lutz
GBR Robin Drysdale
USA Marty Riessen
AUS Roy Emerson
AUS John Newcombe
6–2, 6–3USA Arthur Ashe
USA Robert Lutz
26 Nov[WCT Winter Finals](1972-world-championship-tennis-winter-finals)
Rome, Italy
WCT Finals
Carpet (i) – $25,000 – 8S
[Singles](1972-world-championship-tennis-winter-finals-singles)USA Arthur Ashe
6–2, 3–6, 6–3, 3–6, 7–6USA Robert LutzNED Tom Okker
RSA Cliff DrysdaleYUG Nikola Pilić
USA Marty Riessen
GBR Mark Cox
AUS John Newcombe

Statistical information

These tables present the number of singles (S), and doubles (D) titles won by each player and each nation during the season, within all the tournament categories of the 1972 WCT circuit: the WCT Finals, and the regular series tournaments. The players/nations are sorted by: 1) total number of titles (a doubles title won by two players representing the same nation counts as only one win for the nation); 2) importance of those titles (a WCT Finals win equalling two regular tournaments wins); 3) a singles doubles hierarchy; 4) alphabetical order (by family names for players).

Titles won by player

Total titlesPlayerFinalsRegular seriesAll titlesSSDSD
**10**AUS John Newcombe64**6**
NED Tom Okker19**1****9**
USA Marty Riessen19**1****9**
**7**AUS Rod Laver52**5**
**5**USA Arthur Ashe131**4**
**3**AUS Ken Rosewall12**3**
AUS Tony Roche12**1****2**
AUS Roy Emerson3**0****3**
**2**USA Robert Lutz11**1**
AUS Bob Carmichael2**0****2**
AUS Ray Ruffels2**0****2**
**1**GBR Mark Cox1**1**
YUG Nikola Pilić1**1****0**
USA Stan Smith1**1****0**
AUS John Alexander1**0****1**
USA Jimmy Connors1**0****1**
USA Phil Dent1**0****1**
RSA Cliff Drysdale1**0****1**
USA Pancho Gonzales1**0****1**
AUS Fred Stolle1**0****1**
GBR Roger Taylor1**0****1**

Titles won by nation

Total titlesNationFinalsRegular seriesAll titlesSSDSD
**22**Australia1138**14**
**19**United States1612**7**
**10**Netherlands19**1**
**2**United Kingdom11**1**
**1**1**1**
RSA South Africa1**0****1**

Standings

These are the standings of the top twenty singles players on the WCT circuit, at the end of the 1971 World Championship Tennis circuit, and after each edition of the WCT Finals in the 1972 season.

1971 Standings#Player
1AUS Rod Laver
2NED Tom Okker
3AUS Ken Rosewall
4RSA Cliff Drysdale
5USA Arthur Ashe
6AUS John Newcombe
7USA Marty Riessen
8USA Robert Lutz
9AUS Roy Emerson
10ESP Andrés Gimeno
11USA Charlie Pasarell
12AUS John Alexander
13USA Dennis Ralston
14AUS Ray Ruffels
=EGY Ismail El Shafei
=YUG Nikola Pilić
17RSA Robert Maud
18GBR Mark Cox
19GBR Roger Taylor
20AUS Fred Stolle

||

1972 Standings (May)#Player
1AUS Rod Laver
2AUS Ken Rosewall
3NED Tom Okker
4RSA Cliff Drysdale
5USA Marty Riessen
6USA Arthur Ashe
7USA Robert Lutz
8AUS John Newcombe
9AUS Roy Emerson
=USA Charlie Pasarell
11AUS John Alexander
12GBR Roger Taylor
13ESP Andrés Gimeno
14GBR Mark Cox
15USA Jeff Borowiak
16AUS Fred Stolle
=YUG Nikola Pilić
18EGY Ismail El Shafei
19AUS Bob Carmichael
20AUS Ray Ruffels

||

1972 Standings (November)#Player
1AUS John Newcombe
2USA Arthur Ashe
3NED Tom Okker
4GBR Mark Cox
5RSA Cliff Drysdale
=USA Marty Riessen
7USA Robert Lutz
=YUG Nikola Pilić
9AUS Roy Emerson
=AUS Tony Roche
=EGY Ismail El Shafei
12USA Cliff Richey
13USA Charlie Pasarell
14AUS Ray Ruffels
15AUS Ken Rosewall
=GBR Roger Taylor
17AUS John Alexander
18AUS Bob Carmichael
=AUS Allan Stone
=PAK Haroon Rahim
=USA Jeff Borowiak

|- |}

References

References

  1. (1973). "World of Tennis '73 : a BP and Commercial Union yearbook". [[Queen Anne Press]].
  2. "1972 Grand Prix and WCT circuits calendar". Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP).
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