Southern California Open
Mercury Insurance Open | |
---|---|
Tournament information | |
Founded | 1971 |
Location |
Carlsbad, California United States |
Venue | La Costa Resort and Spa |
Category |
WTA Tier I (2004–2007) WTA Premier tournaments (2010–2013) WTA 125K Series (2015- |
Surface | Hardcourt / Outdoor |
Draw | 32S / 16SQ / 16D |
Prize money | US$125,000 |
The Southern California Open is a WTA 125K Series affiliated professional women's tennis tournament held at the La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad, California.
History
The event was formed in 1984 by Raquel Giscafré as the Ginny of San Diego.[1][2] Prior to this there had been two previous women's tennis tournaments in San Diego: a Virginia Slims event in 1971 and the Wells Fargo Open, which ran from 1979 to 1982. Giscafre's former doubles partner, Jane Stratton, attained co-ownership of the tournament from 1986 until the event's cessation. The tournament has had various principal sponsors throughout its history, and has been played under the headings of the Great American Bank Classic, the Mazda Classic and the Toshiba Classic. The tournament was known for its strong player fields, location in the hills and atmosphere.
Although the tournament achieved Tier I status only in 2004, it became a draw to the heavyweights in women's tennis since its inception in the 1980s, being a crucial warm-up tournament leading to the US Open. Past champions of the tournament include former world number ones Steffi Graf, Jennifer Capriati, Lindsay Davenport, Venus Williams, Martina Hingis, Justine Henin, and Maria Sharapova. Six players won the tournament more than once, four of them consecutively. Graf holds the record for most wins (4); Venus Williams holds the record for most consecutive titles (3).
The tournament was suspended after the 2007 edition. On September 7, 2009, the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour announced the return of professional women's tennis to San Diego in 2010, under the sponsorship of Mercury Insurance. The Mercury Insurance Open was renamed the Southern California Open starting in 2013.
From 2014, the event will be relocated in Tokyo, Japan in September[3]
In a new return by New owners, it has now been established as a WTA 125K event in 2015, moved from its previous spot into a new one in November. New Owners New Location New Name. Carlsbad Classic November 23-29th. Rumors have it going to the Park Hyatt Carlsbad.
Sponsor history:
- Virginia Slims of San Diego: 1971, 1985–1988
- Wells Fargo Open: 1979–1982
- Ginny of San Diego: 1984
- Great American Bank Classic: 1989–1990
- Mazda Classic: 1991–1993
- Toshiba Classic; 1994–1998
- TIG Classic: 1999
- Acura Classic: 2000–2007
- Mercury Insurance Open: 2010–2012
- Southern California Open: 2013
- TBD: 2015
Past finals
Singles
Prior tournaments in San Diego area
Year | Champion | Runner-up | Score |
---|---|---|---|
1971 | Billie Jean King | Rosemary Casals | 3–6, 7–5, 6–1 |
Year | Champion | Runner-up | Score |
---|---|---|---|
1979 | Tracy Austin | Martina Navrátilová | 6–4, 6–2 |
1980 | Tracy Austin | Wendy Turnbull | 6–1, 6–3 |
1981 | Tracy Austin | Pam Shriver | 6–2, 5–7, 6–2 |
1982 | Tracy Austin | Kathy Rinaldi | 7–6, 6–3 |
Subsequent and current organized event
Doubles
Prior
Year | Champions | Runners-up | Score |
---|---|---|---|
1971 | Rosemary Casals Billie Jean King | Françoise Dürr Judy Tegart Dalton | 6–7, 6–2, 6–3 |
Year | Champion | Runner-up | Score |
---|---|---|---|
1979 | Rosemary Casals Martina Navrátilová | Betty Ann Grubb Stuart Ann Kiyomura | 3–6, 6–4, 6–2 |
1980 | Tracy Austin Ann Kiyomura | Rosemary Casals Wendy Turnbull | 3–6, 6–4, 6–3 |
1981 | Kathy Jordan Candy Reynolds | Rosemary Casals Pam Shriver | 6–1, 2–6, 6–4 |
1982 | Kathy Jordan Paula Smith | Patricia Medrado Claudia Monteiro | 6–3, 5–7, 7–6 |
Subsequent & current
See also
External links
References and footnotes
- ↑ "Acura has come a long way, baby, but its run is ending". Retrieved 2007-08-04.
- ↑ Keith Kattan Raising Big Smiling Tennis Kids: A Complete Roadmap for Every Parent and Coach 2006 Page 208 "players-turned-entrepreneurs like Jane Stratton and Raquel Giscafré, who run a prestigious WTA tournament in San Diego "
- ↑ "Carlsbad WTA tournament moves to Tokyo". tennis.com. Retrieved 16 September 2013.
Awards and achievements | ||
---|---|---|
Preceded by Miami |
Favorite WTA Tier I - II Tournament 1996 |
Succeeded by Indian Wells |
|
|
|
|
|