U.S. Men's Clay Court Championships

U.S. Men's Clay Court Championship
 ATP World Tour
Location Houston, Texas
 United States
Venue River Oaks Country Club
Category GP Championship Series (1970–86)
ATP World Series
(1990–1997)
ATP International Series
(1998–2008)
ATP World Tour 250 series
(2009–current)
Surface Maroon Clay / Outdoors
Draw 28S/32Q/16D
Prize money $500,000
Website Men's Clay Court

The U.S. Men's Clay Court Championship is an annual ATP Tour tennis tournament that started in 1910. It is the last remaining ATP Tour-level tournament in the United States to be played on clay courts.

The tournament began in 1910 when the Western Lawn Tennis Association (a section of the United States Lawn Tennis Association now known as the USTA/Midwest) lobbied the USLTA that a National Clay Court Championship would help promote the establishment of more clay courts in the West. Clay courts were more economical to install and maintain than grass courts, and the hope was that the lower costs associated with court construction would allow for a more rapid expansion of the game. The first National Clay Court Championships were held at the Omaha Field Club with a crowd of 5,000 watching the finals. Participation and play on clay grew as a result of the event and others, and in 1914 the event was moved to the Cincinnati Tennis Club. It has since been played in numerous cities and is today held in Houston, Texas. Between 1970 and 1989 it was part of the Grand Prix Tennis Tour as part of the Grand Prix Championship Series of events (1970-1986).

Contents

Newest home

The event was held at the Westside Tennis Club from 2001-07. On May 8, 2007, the U.S. Tennis Association announced that the River Oaks Country Club in the River Oaks neighborhood would host the tournament starting in 2008, which will keep the event in Houston for several years. Other cities that competed for the event were Atlanta, Georgia, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. The tournament pays out US$500,000 with the winner receiving US$79,000.[1] The River Oaks venue features a stadium with seating for 3,000. Temporary seating for 500 will be installed for the second court.[2]

In 2007, after a few years being held on the same red clay used at the French Open, the event was held on Har-Tru green clay. In 2008, the event went to a maroon color of Har-Tru clay as the River Oaks Country Club renovated their courts in 2005. After renovating their courts again in late 2008, the surface remained the same. The 2011 event at River Oaks was won by Ryan Sweeting in singles and Bob and Mike Bryan in doubles. The 2012 tournament will be held April 9-15.

Open Era Finals

Year City Champion Runner-up Score
2011 Houston, Texas Ryan Sweeting Kei Nishikori 6–4, 7–6(7–3)
2010 Houston, Texas Juan Ignacio Chela Sam Querrey 5–7, 6–4, 6–3
2009 Houston, Texas Lleyton Hewitt Wayne Odesnik 6–2, 7–5
2008 Houston, Texas Marcel Granollers James Blake 6–4, 1–6, 7–5
2007 Houston, Texas Ivo Karlović Mariano Zabaleta 6–4, 6–1
2006 Houston, Texas Mardy Fish Jürgen Melzer 3–6, 6–4, 6–3
2005 Houston, Texas Andy Roddick Sébastien Grosjean 6–2, 6–2
2004 Houston, Texas Tommy Haas Andy Roddick 6–3, 6–4
2003 Houston, Texas Andre Agassi Andy Roddick 3–6, 6–3, 6–4
2002 Houston, Texas Andy Roddick Pete Sampras 7–6(11–9), 6–3
2001 Houston, Texas Andy Roddick Hyung-Taik Lee 7–5, 6–3
2000 Orlando, Florida Fernando González Nicolás Massú 6–2, 6–3
1999 Orlando, Florida Magnus Norman Guillermo Cañas 6–0, 6–3
1998 Orlando, Florida Jim Courier Michael Chang 7–5, 3–6, 7–5
1997 Orlando, Florida Michael Chang Grant Stafford 4–6, 6–2, 6–1
1996 Pinehurst, North Carolina Fernando Meligeni Mats Wilander 6–4, 6–2
1995 Pinehurst, North Carolina Thomas Enqvist Javier Frana 6–3, 3–6, 6–3
1994 Birmingham, Alabama Jason Stoltenberg Gabriel Markus 6–3, 6–4
1993 Charlotte, North Carolina Horacio de la Peña Jaime Yzaga 3–6, 6–3, 6–4
1992 Charlotte, North Carolina MaliVai Washington Claudio Mezzadri 6–3, 6–3
1991 Charlotte, North Carolina Jaime Yzaga Jimmy Arias 6–3, 7–5
1990 Kiawah Island, South Carolina David Wheaton Mark Kaplan 6–4, 6–4
1989 Charleston, South Carolina Jay Berger Lawson Duncan 6–4, 6–3
1988 Charleston, South Carolina Andre Agassi Jimmy Arias 6–2, 6–2
1987 Indianapolis, Indiana Mats Wilander Kent Carlsson 7–5, 6–3
1986 Indianapolis, Indiana Andrés Gómez Thierry Tulasne 6–4, 7–6
1985 Indianapolis, Indiana Ivan Lendl Andrés Gómez 6–1, 6–3
1984 Indianapolis, Indiana Andrés Gómez Balázs Taróczy 6–0, 7–6
1983 Indianapolis, Indiana Jimmy Arias Andrés Gómez 6–4, 2–6, 6–4
1982 Indianapolis, Indiana José Higueras Jimmy Arias 7–5, 5–7, 6–3
1981 Indianapolis, Indiana José Luis Clerc Ivan Lendl 4–6, 6–4, 6–2
1980 Indianapolis, Indiana José Luis Clerc Mel Purcell 7–5, 6–3
1979 Indianapolis, Indiana Jimmy Connors Guillermo Vilas 6–1, 2–6, 6–4
1978 Indianapolis, Indiana Jimmy Connors José Higueras 7–5, 6–1
1977 Indianapolis, Indiana Manuel Orantes Jimmy Connors 6–1, 6–3
1976 Indianapolis, Indiana Jimmy Connors Wojtek Fibak 6–2, 6–4
1975 Indianapolis, Indiana Manuel Orantes Arthur Ashe 6–2, 6–2
1974 Indianapolis, Indiana Jimmy Connors Björn Borg 5–7, 6–3, 6–4
1973 Indianapolis, Indiana Manuel Orantes Georges Goven 6–4, 6–1, 6–4
1972 Indianapolis, Indiana Bob Hewitt Jimmy Connors 7–6, 6–1, 6–2
1971 Indianapolis, Indiana Željko Franulović Cliff Richey 6–3, 6–4, 0–6, 6–3
1970 Indianapolis, Indiana Cliff Richey Stan Smith 6–2, 10–8, 3–6, 6–1
1969 Indianapolis, Indiana Željko Franulović Arthur Ashe 8–6, 6–3, 6–4

Pre-Open Era Finals

Year City Champion Runner-up Score
1968 Milwaukee, Wisconsin Clark Graebner Stan Smith 6–3, 7–5, 6–0
1967 Milwaukee, Wisconsin Arthur Ashe Marty Riessen 4–6, 6–3, 6–1, 7–5
1966 Milwaukee, Wisconsin Cliff Richey Frank Froehling II 13–11, 6–1, 6–3
1965 River Forest, Illinois Dennis Ralston Cliff Richey 6–4, 4–6, 6–4, 6–3
1964 River Forest, Illinois Dennis Ralston Chuck McKinley 6–2, 6–2, 6–1
1963 River Forest, Illinois Chuck McKinley Dennis Ralston 6–2, 6–2, 6–4
1962 Chicago, Illinois Chuck McKinley Fred Stolle 6–3, 8–6, 6–4
1961 River Forest, Illinois Bernard Bartzen Donald Dell 6–1, 2–6, 6–2, 6–0
1960 River Forest, Illinois Barry MacKay Bernard Bartzen 4–6, 7–5, 6–4, 6–0
1959 River Forest, Illinois Bernard Bartzen Whitney Reed 6–0, 8–6, 9–7
1958 River Forest, Illinois Bernard Bartzen Sam Giammalva 3–6, 7–5, 6–2, 6–2
1957 River Forest, Illinois Vic Seixas Herbert Flam 1–6, 8–6, 6–1, 6–3
1956 River Forest, Illinois Herbert Flam Edward Moylan 3–6, 6–3, 1–6, 6–3, 6–3
1955 Atlanta, Georgia Tony Trabert Bernard Bartzen 10–8, 6–1, 6–4
1954 River Forest, Illinois Bernard Bartzen Tony Trabert 6–4, 4–6, 6–0, 6–2
1953 River Forest, Illinois Vic Seixas Hamilton Richardson 6–2, 6–4, 6–3
1952 River Forest, Illinois Arthur Larsen Richard Savitt 4–6, 6–4, 6–2, 6–4
1951 River Forest, Illinois Tony Trabert Arthur Larsen 6–8, 2–6, 6–4, 6–3, 8–6
1950 River Forest, Illinois Herbert Flam Ted Schroeder 6–1, 6–2, 6–2
1949 River Forest, Illinois Pancho Gonzalez Frank Parker 6–1, 3–6, 8–6, 6–3
1948 River Forest, Illinois Pancho Gonzalez Nick Carter 7–5, 6–2, 6–3
1947 Salt Lake City, Utah Frank Parker Ted Schroeder 8–6, 6–2, 6–4
1946 River Forest, Illinois Frank Parker William Talbert 6–4, 6–4, 6–2
1945 Chicago, Illinois William Talbert Pancho Segura 6–4, 4–6, 6–2, 2–6, 6–2
1944 Detroit, Michigan Pancho Segura William Talbert 6–3, 2–6, 7–5, 6–3
1943 Detroit, Michigan Seymour Greenberg William Talbert 6–1, 4–6, 6–3, 6–3
1942 St. Louis, Missouri Seymour Greenberg Harris Everett 5–7, 7–5, 7–9, 7–5
1941 River Forest, Illinois Frank Parker Robert Riggs 6–3, 7–5, 6–8, 4–6, 6–3
1940 Chicago, Illinois Donald McNeill Robert Riggs 6–1, 6–4, 6–8, 6–3
1939 Chicago, Illinois Frank Parker Gardnar Mulloy 6–3, 6–0, 5–7, 6–1
1938 River Forest, Illinois Robert Riggs Gardnar Mulloy 6–4, 5–7, 4–6, 6–1, 7–5
1937 Chicago, Illinois Robert Riggs Joe Hunt 6–3, 4–6, 6–3, 6–4
1936 River Forest, Illinois Robert Riggs Frank Parker 6–1, 6–8, 6–4
1935 Chicago, Illinois Bryan Grant Frank Parker 4–6, 6–1, 3–6, 6–3, 6–0
1934 Chicago, Illinois Bryan Grant Donald Budge 6–2, 8–6, 6–3
1933 Chicago, Illinois Frank Parker Gene Mako 6–3, 6–3, 6–3
1932 Memphis, Tennessee George Lott Bryan Grant 3–6, 6–2, 3–6, 6–3, 6–3
1931 St. Louis, Missouri Ellsworth Vines Keith Gledhill 6–3, 6–3, 6–3
1930 Kansas City, Missouri Bryan Grant Wilbur F. Coen, Jr. 6–2, 6–4, 6–2
1929 Indianapolis, Indiana Emmett Pare J. Gilbert Hall 6-4, 6-3, 4-6, 3-6, 6-1
1928 Not Held
1927 Detroit, Michigan William Tilden John F. Hennessey 6–4, 6–1, 6–2
1926 Detroit, Michigan William Tilden Brian I. C. Norton Default
1925 St. Louis, Missouri William Tilden George Lott 3–6, 6–3, 2–6, 6–2, 8–6
1924 St. Louis, Missouri William Tilden Harvey Snodgrass 6–2, 6–1, 6–1
1923 Indianapolis, Indiana William Tilden Manuel Alonso 6–2, 6–8, 6–1, 7–5
1922 Indianapolis, Indiana William Tilden Zenzo Shimizu 7–5, 6–3, 6–1
1921 Chicago, Illinois Walter T. Hayes Alexander Squair 6–0, 6–2, 6–4
1920 Chicago, Illinois Roland Roberts Vincent Richards 6–3, 6–1, 6–3
1919 Chicago, Illinois William Johnston William Tilden 0–6, 1–6, 6–4, 2–6
1918 Chicago, Illinois William Tilden Charles Garland 6–4, 6–4, 3–6, 6–2
1917 Cincinnati, Ohio Samuel Hardy Charles Garland 3–6, 6–1, 6–3, 6–3
1916 Cleveland, Ohio Willis E. Davis Conrad B. Doyle 6–2, 7–5, 6–3
1915 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Richard N. Williams Clarence Griffin Default
1914 Cincinnati, Ohio Clarence Griffin Elia Fottrell 3–6, 6–8, 8–6, 6–0, 6–2
1913 Omaha, Nebraska John R. Strachan Walter Merrill Hall 6–0, 6–4, 4–6, 6–4
1912 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Richard N. Williams Gus Touchard 6–3, 9–7, 6–3
1911 Omaha, Nebraska Walter T. Hayes Percy D. Siverd 7–5, 6–2, 6–1
1910 Omaha, Nebraska Melville H. Long Walter Merrill Hall 6–0, 6–1, 6–1

References

  1. ^ "ATP Web site". http://www.atpworldtour.com/1/en/tournaments/profile/717.asp. Retrieved 2009-02-03. 
  2. ^ Robertson, Dale (May 7, 2007). "River Oaks keeps Clay Courts in town". Houston Chronicle. http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=2007_4341169. Retrieved 2007-05-09. 

Additional References

External links

Awards and achievements
Preceded by
Båstad		 ATP International Series Tournament of the Year
2003, 2004
(shared with Båstad)		 Succeeded by
Båstad
USMCC Championships
1969
1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979
1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
2010 2011
1998–2008 Adelaide • Doha • Chennai • Sydney • Auckland • Coral Springs/Delray Beach • Marseille • San Jose • Scottsdale/Las Vegas • Estoril
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Båstad • Amsterdam/Amersfoort • Umag • Los Angeles • Long Island/New Haven • Bucharest • Stockholm • Moscow • St. Petersburg • Lyon • Basel
1998/2000–2001 Bogotá • 1998–2001/2003–2008 Shanghai/Ho Chi Minh City/Mumbai/Bangalore • 1998/2000–2008 Santiago/Viña del Mar • 1998/2006–2008 Split/Zagreb
1998 Rotterdam • Kitzbühel • Ostrava • Mexico City • 1998–1999 Prague • Bologna Outdoor/Merano • Boston • 1998–2000 Dubai • San Marino • Bournemouth/Brighton • Toulouse
1998–2001 Atlanta • 1998–2002 Hong Kong • Tashkent • 1998–2003 Copenhagen • 1998–2006 Palermo • 2001–2005 Milan • 2002 Stuttgart
2001–2008 Buenos Aires • Sopot/Warsaw • Costa do Sauípe • 2003–2008 Indianapolis • Washington • Bangkok • Metz • 2004–2008 Beijing
ATP World Series (1990–1997)
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1990 Memphis • Rio de Janeiro • Sanremo  • Wembley • Itaparica • 1990–1991 Geneva • Berlin • 1990–1992/1996 Singapore • 1990/1992–1997 Casablanca • 1990–1992 Milan • Guaruja • Brisbane • 1990–1994 Manchester • Florence • Schenectady • Athens • Madrid • 1990–1995 Nice • Bordeaux • Vienna • 1990–1996 Seoul • Tel Aviv • 1991 Brasilia • Birmingham, UK • 1991–1992 Buzios • 1991–1993 Sao Paulo • Tampa • 1991–1997 Copenhagen • 1992 Maceió • Cologne • 1992–1993 Bolzano • Taipei • 1992–1994 Antwerp • 1992–1995 Johannesburg/Durban/Sun City • 1992–1997 Scottsdale • 1993–1994 Zaragoza • Osaka • 1993–1995 Kuala Lumpur • 1993–1996 Jakarta • 1993–1997 Doha • Delray Beach  • Santiago/Vina del Mar • Marseille • Buenos Aires • Halle • Beijing • Bucharest • Birmingham, USA • Dubai • Mexico City • 1994 Oahu • 1994–1995 Montevideo • 1994–1997 Ostrava • Bogotá • 1995–1996 Bermuda • 1995–1997 Valencia/Marbella • Nottingham • Stockholm • St. Petersburg • Porto • 1996–1997 Chennai • Shanghai • Stuttgart Outdoor • Zagreb • Bournemouth/Brighton • 1997 Boston • Tashkent
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