The 1981 Avon Championships World Championship Series was the 9th season since the foundation of the Women's Tennis Association. It commenced on January 4, 1981, and concluded on December 19, 1981, after 36 events. The Avon Championships World Championship Series was the elite tour for professional women's tennis organised by the Women's Tennis Association (WTA). The year is divided into two sponsors with the first three months sponsored by Avon Series and the latter part by Toyota 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.
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The table below shows the 1981 WTA Tour schedule.
- Key
Grand Slam tournaments |
WTA championships |
Avon Championships Circuit |
Toyota Series |
Team events |
January
More information Week, Tournament ...
Week |
Tournament |
Champions |
Runners-up |
Semifinalists |
Quarterfinalists |
12 Jan | Avon Championships of Kansas Kansas City, United States Avon Championships Circuit Carpet (i) – $150,000 – 32S/16D Singles – Doubles | Andrea Jaeger 3–6, 6–3, 7–5 | Martina Navratilova | Barbara Potter Virginia Ruzici
| Kate Latham Sandy Collins Mima Jaušovec Sylvia Hanika |
Barbara Potter Sharon Walsh 6–2, 7–6(7–4) | Rosie Casals Wendy Turnbull |
19 Jan | Avon Championships of Cincinnati Cincinnati, United States Avon Championships Circuit Carpet (i) – $150,000 – 32S/16D Singles – Doubles | Martina Navratilova 6–2, 6–4 | Sylvia Hanika | Jennifer Russell Hana Mandlíková | Barbara Potter Pam Shriver Virginia Ruzici Virginia Wade |
Kathy Jordan Anne Smith 1–6, 6–3, 6–3 | Martina Navratilova Pam Shriver |
26 Jan | Avon Championships of Chicago Chicago, United States Avon Championships Circuit Carpet (i) – $200,000 – 56S/28D Singles – Doubles | Martina Navratilova 6–4, 6–2 | Hana Mandlíková | Wendy Turnbull Barbara Potter | Anne Smith Pam Shriver Peanut Louie Sylvia Hanika |
Martina Navratilova Pam Shriver 6–3, 6–1 | Barbara Potter Sharon Walsh |
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February
More information Week, Tournament ...
Week |
Tournament |
Champions |
Runners-up |
Semifinalists |
Quarterfinalists |
2 Feb | Avon Championships of Detroit Detroit, United States Avon Championships Circuit Carpet (i) – $150,000 – 32S/16D Singles – Doubles | Leslie Allen 6–4, 6–4 | Hana Mandlíková | Pam Shriver Barbara Potter
| Claudia Kohde-Kilsch Bettina Bunge Mima Jaušovec Wendy Turnbull |
Rosie Casals Wendy Turnbull 6–4, 6–2 | Hana Mandlíková Betty Stöve |
9 Feb | Avon Championships of California Oakland, United States Avon Championships Circuit Carpet (i) – $125,000 – 32S/16D Singles – Doubles | Andrea Jaeger 6–3, 6–1 | Virginia Wade | Beth Norton Wendy Turnbull | Claudia Kohde-Kilsch Pam Teeguarden Mima Jaušovec Sue Barker |
Rosie Casals Wendy Turnbull 6–1, 6–4 | Martina Navratilova Virginia Wade |
16 Feb | Avon Championships of Houston Houston, United States Avon Championships Circuit Carpet (i) – $100,000 – 16S/8D Singles – Doubles | Hana Mandlíková 6–4, 6–4 | Bettina Bunge | Kathy Jordan Mima Jaušovec | Pam Teeguarden Zina Garrison Jennifer Russell Kate Latham |
Sue Barker Ann Kiyomura 5–7, 6–4, 6–3 | Regina Maršíková Mary Lou Piatek |
23 Feb | Avon Championships of Seattle Seattle, United States Avon Championships Circuit Carpet (i) – $150,000 – 32S/16D Singles – Doubles | Sylvia Hanika 6–2, 6–1 | Barbara Potter | Kathy Jordan Bettina Bunge | Anne Smith Pam Shriver Wendy Turnbull Hana Mandlíková |
Rosie Casals Wendy Turnbull 6–1, 6–4 | Sue Barker Ann Kiyomura |
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March
More information Week, Tournament ...
Week |
Tournament |
Champions |
Runners-up |
Semifinalists |
Quarterfinalists |
2 Mar | Avon Championships of Los Angeles Los Angeles, United States Avon Championships Circuit Hard – $150,000 – 32S/16D Singles – Doubles | Martina Navratilova 6–4, 6–0 | Andrea Jaeger | Sylvia Hanika Bettina Bunge | Julie Harrington Barbara Potter JoAnne Russell Billie Jean King |
Susan Leo Kim Sands 6–1, 4–6, 6–1 | Peanut Louie Marita Redondo |
9 Mar | Avon Championships of Dallas Dallas, United States Avon Championships Circuit Carpet (i) – $175,000 – 33S/16D Singles – Doubles | Martina Navratilova 6–2, 6–4 | Pam Shriver | Virginia Ruzici Bettina Bunge | Mary Lou Piatek Billie Jean King Kathy Jordan Mima Jaušovec |
Martina Navratilova Pam Shriver 7–5, 6–4 | Kathy Jordan Anne Smith |
15 Mar | Avon Championships of Boston Boston, United States Avon Championships Circuit Carpet (i) – $150,000 – 32S/16D Singles – Doubles | Chris Evert-Lloyd 6–4, 6–4 | Mima Jaušovec | Kathy Jordan Sylvia Hanika | Virginia Ruzici Peanut Louie Wendy Turnbull Hana Mandlíková |
Barbara Potter Sharon Walsh 5–7, 6–4, 6–3 | Jennifer Russell Virginia Ruzici |
23 Mar | Avon Championships New York City, United States WTA Championships Carpet (i) – $300,000 – 8S/4D Singles – Doubles | Martina Navratilova 6–3, 7–6(7–3) | Andrea Jaeger | Bettina Bunge Sylvia Hanika | |
Martina Navratilova Pam Shriver 6–0, 7–6(8–6) | Barbara Potter Sharon Walsh |
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April
More information Week, Tournament ...
Week |
Tournament |
Champions |
Runners-up |
Semifinalists |
Quarterfinalists |
6 Apr | Family Circle Cup Hilton Head Island, United States Toyota Series (Category 5) Clay – $150,000 – 56S/32D Singles – Doubles | Chris Evert-Lloyd 6–3, 6–2 | Pam Shriver | Virginia Ruzici JoAnne Russell | Regina Maršíková Mima Jaušovec Pam Casale Joyce Portman |
Rosie Casals Wendy Turnbull 7–5, 7–5 | Mima Jaušovec Pam Shriver |
13 Apr | Wightman Cup Williamsburg, United States Team event Hard (i)
| United States 7–0 | Great Britain | |
|
20 Apr | Murjani WTA Championships Amelia Island, United States Toyota Series (Category 7) Clay – $250,000 – 56S/32D Singles – Doubles | Chris Evert-Lloyd 6–0, 6–0 | Martina Navratilova | Virginia Ruzici Mima Jaušovec | Pam Shriver Andrea Jaeger Ivanna Madruga Sylvia Hanika |
Kathy Jordan Paula Smith 6–3, 5–7, 7–6(7–2) | Virginia Ruzici JoAnne Russell |
27 Apr | United Airlines Tournament of Champions Orlando, United States Toyota Series (Category 7) Clay – $200,000 – 22S/8D Singles – Doubles | Martina Navratilova 7–5, 6–3 | Andrea Jaeger | Regina Maršíková Hana Mandlíková | Yvonne Vermaak Wendy Turnbull Kathleen Horvath Sylvia Hanika |
Martina Navratilova Pam Shriver 6–1, 7–6(12–10) | Rosie Casals Wendy Turnbull |
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May
More information Week, Tournament ...
Week |
Tournament |
Champions |
Runners-up |
Semifinalists |
Quarterfinalists |
4 May | Italian Open Perugia, Italy Toyota Series (Category 3) Clay – $100,000 – 56S/32D Singles – Doubles | Chris Evert-Lloyd 6–1, 6–2 | Virginia Ruzici | Sandy Collins Joyce Portman | Lucia Romanov Rosalyn Fairbank Ivanna Madruga Elly Appel-Vessies |
Candy Reynolds Paula Smith 7–5, 6–1 | Chris Evert-Lloyd Virginia Ruzici |
Bridgestone Doubles Championships Tokyo, Japan Toyota Series (Category 5) Carpet (i) – $150,000 – 8D Doubles | Sue Barker Ann Kiyomura 7–5, 6–2 | Barbara Potter Sharon Walsh | Casals / Turnbull Jordan / Smith | Peanut Louie/ Redondo Blackwood / Leo duPont / Jordan Jaeger / King |
11 May | Toyota Swiss Open Lugano, Switzerland Toyota Series (Category 3) Clay – $100,000 – 32S/16D Singles – Doubles | Chris Evert-Lloyd 6–1, 6–1 | Virginia Ruzici | Regina Maršíková Sylvia Hanika | Sandy Collins Dianne Balestrat Hana Strachoňová Candy Reynolds |
Rosalyn Fairbank Tanya Harford 2–6, 6–1, 6–4 | Candy Reynolds Paula Smith |
18 May | German Open West Berlin, West Germany Toyota Series (Category 3) Clay – $150,000 – 56S/28D Singles – Doubles | Regina Maršíková 6–2, 6–1 | Ivanna Madruga | Sandy Collins Dianne Fromholtz | Tracy Austin Deborah Jevans Mima Jaušovec Hana Mandlíková |
Rosalyn Fairbank Tanya Harford 6–3, 6–4 | Sue Barker Renáta Tomanová |
25 May 1 June | French Open Paris, France Grand Slam Clay – $300,000 – 112S/64Q/48D/32X Singles – Doubles – Mixed doubles | Hana Mandlíková 6–2, 6–4 | Sylvia Hanika | Chris Evert-Lloyd Andrea Jaeger | Virginia Ruzici Kathy Rinaldi Mima Jaušovec Martina Navratilova |
Rosalyn Fairbank Tanya Harford 6–1, 6–3 | Candy Reynolds Paula Smith |
Andrea Jaeger James Arias 7–6, 6–4 | Betty Stöve Frederick McNair |
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June
More information Week, Tournament ...
Week |
Tournament |
Champions |
Runners-up |
Semifinalists |
Quarterfinalists |
8 Jun | Surrey Championships Surbiton, Great Britain Toyota Series (Category 1) Grass – $50,000 – 56S/32D Singles – Doubles | Betsy Nagelsen 6–0, 6–4 | Barbara Hallquist | Diane Desfor Martina Navratilova | Marjorie Blackwood Laura duPont JoAnne Russell Sue Barker |
Sue Barker Ann Kiyomura 6–1, 6–7, 6–1 | Billie Jean King Ilana Kloss |
15 Jun | BMW Championships Eastbourne, Great Britain Toyota Series (Category 4) Grass – $125,000 – 64S/32D Singles – Doubles | Tracy Austin 6–3, 6–4 | Andrea Jaeger | Barbara Potter Martina Navratilova | Anne Smith Wendy Turnbull Pam Casale Claudia Kohde-Kilsch |
Martina Navratilova Pam Shriver 6–7(5–7), 6–2, 6–1 | Kathy Jordan Anne Smith |
22 Jun 29 Jun | Wimbledon Championships London, Great Britain Grand Slam Grass – $300,000 – 112S/64Q/48D/48X Singles – Doubles – Mixed doubles | Chris Evert-Lloyd 6–2, 6–2 | Hana Mandlíková | Pam Shriver Martina Navratilova | Mima Jaušovec Tracy Austin Virginia Ruzici Wendy Turnbull |
Martina Navratilova Pam Shriver 6–3, 7–6(8–6) | Kathy Jordan Anne Smith |
Betty Stöve Frew McMillan 4–6, 7–6(7–2), 6–3 | Tracy Austin John Austin |
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July
More information Week, Tournament ...
Week |
Tournament |
Champions |
Runners-up |
Semifinalists |
Quarterfinalists |
13 Jul | Austrian Open Kitzbühel, Austria Toyota Series (Category 1) Clay – $50,000 – 32S/16D Singles – Doubles | Claudia Kohde-Kilsch 7–5, 7–6 | Sylvia Hanika | Regina Maršíková Virginia Ruzici | Patricia Medrado Yvonne Vermaak Lena Sandin Marjorie Blackwood |
Claudia Kohde-Kilsch Eva Pfaff 6–4, 6–3 | Elizabeth Little Yvonne Vermaak |
27 Jul | Wells Fargo Open San Diego, United States Toyota Series (Category 4) Hard – $125,000- 32S/16D Singles – Doubles | Tracy Austin 6–2, 5–7, 6–2 | Pam Shriver | Kathy Jordan Kate Latham | Candy Reynolds Mary Lou Piatek Bettina Bunge Yvonne Vermaak |
Kathy Jordan Candy Reynolds 6–1, 2–6, 6–4 | Rosie Casals Pam Shriver |
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August
More information Week, Tournament ...
Week |
Tournament |
Champions |
Runners-up |
Semifinalists |
Quarterfinalists |
3 Aug | U.S. Clay Court Championships Indianapolis, United States Toyota Series (Category 5) Clay – $150,000 – 56S/32D Singles – Doubles | Andrea Jaeger 6–1, 6–0 | Virginia Ruzici | Mima Jaušovec Regina Maršíková | Sue Barker Anne Smith Hana Strachoňová Susan Mascarin
|
JoAnne Russell Virginia Ruzici 6–2, 6–2 | Sue Barker Paula Smith |
10 Aug | Central Fidelity Banks International Richmond, United States Toyota Series (Category 3) Carpet (i) – $100,000 – 32S/16D Singles – Doubles | Mary Lou Piatek 6–4, 6–1 | Sue Barker | Betsy Nagelsen Pam Shriver | Sylvia Hanika Regina Maršíková Wendy Turnbull Sandy Collins |
Sue Barker Ann Kiyomura 4–6, 7–6, 6–4 | Kathy Jordan Anne Smith |
17 Aug | Player's Canadian Open Toronto, Canada Toyota Series (Category 7) Hard – $200,000 – 56S/32D Singles – Doubles | Tracy Austin 6–1, 6–4 | Chris Evert-Lloyd | Andrea Jaeger Martina Navratilova | Hana Mandlíková Rosalyn Fairbank Sylvia Hanika Pam Shriver |
Martina Navratilova Pam Shriver 7–6, 7–6 | Candy Reynolds Anne Smith |
24 Aug | Volvo Women's Cup Mahwah, United States Toyota Series (Category 3) Hard – $100,000 – 56S/32D Singles – Doubles | Hana Mandlíková 6–2, 6–2 | Pam Casale | Bettina Bunge Regina Maršíková | Trey Lewis Virginia Ruzici Wendy White Stacy Margolin |
Rosie Casals Wendy Turnbull 6–2, 6–1 | Candy Reynolds Betty Stöve |
31 Aug 7 Sep | US Open New York City, United States Grand Slam Hard – $400,000 – 128S/64Q/64D/32X Singles – Doubles – Mixed doubles | Tracy Austin 1–6, 7–6(7–4), 7–6(7–1) | Martina Navratilova | Chris Evert-Lloyd Barbara Potter
| Hana Mandlíková Anne Smith Sylvia Hanika Barbara Gerken |
Kathy Jordan Anne Smith 6–3, 6–3 | Rosie Casals Wendy Turnbull |
Anne Smith Kevin Curren 6–4, 7–6(7–4) | JoAnne Russell Steve Denton |
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September
More information Week, Tournament ...
Week |
Tournament |
Champions |
Runners-up |
Semifinalists |
Quarterfinalists |
14 Sep | Toray Sillook Open Tokyo, Japan Toyota Series (Category 3) Carpet (i) – $100,000 – 32S Singles | Ann Kiyomura 6–4, 7–5 | Bettina Bunge | Mima Jaušovec Kathleen Horvath | Sharon Walsh Candy Reynolds Anne Hobbs Leslie Allen |
21 Sep | Toyota Tennis Classic Atlanta, United States Toyota Series (Category 2) Hard – $75,000 – 32S/16D Singles – Doubles | Tracy Austin 4–6, 6–3, 6–3 | Mary Lou Piatek | Laura duPont Susan Mascarin | Beth Norton Wendy White Rosie Casals Sharon Walsh |
Laura duPont Betsy Nagelsen 6–4, 7–5 | Rosie Casals Candy Reynolds |
28 Sep | U.S. Women's Indoor Championships Bloomington, United States Toyota Series (Category 4) Carpet (i) – $125,000 – 32S/16D Singles – Doubles | Martina Navratilova 6–0, 6–2 | Tracy Austin | Candy Reynolds Wendy Turnbull
| Sharon Walsh Julie Harrington Anne Smith Barbara Potter |
Martina Navratilova Pam Shriver 6–3, 7–6 | Rosie Casals Wendy Turnbull |
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October
More information Week, Tournament ...
Week |
Tournament |
Champions |
Runners-up |
Semifinalists |
Quarterfinalists |
5 Oct | Florida Federal Open Tampa, United States Toyota Series (Category 4) Hard – $125,000 – 32S/16D Singles – Doubles | Martina Navratilova 5–7, 6–2, 6–0 | Bettina Bunge | Sylvia Hanika Mary Lou Piatek | Barbara Hallquist Kathy Rinaldi Wendy Turnbull Sandy Collins |
Rosie Casals Wendy Turnbull 6–3, 6–4 | Martina Navratilova Renáta Tomanová |
12 Oct | Borden Classic Kyoto, Japan Toyota Series (Category 1) Hard – $50,000 – 32S/16D Singles – Doubles | Kathy Rinaldi 6–1, 7–5 | Julie Harrington | Pam Casale Patricia Medrado | Dana Gilbert Barbara Jordan Susan Mascarin Beth Norton |
Marianne van der Torre Nanette Schutte 6–2, 6–4 | Elizabeth Smylie Kim Steinmetz |
Lynda Carter Maybelline Classic Deerfield Beach, United States Toyota Series (Category 4) Hard – $125,000 – 32S/16D Singles – Doubles | Chris Evert-Lloyd 4–6, 6–3, 6–0 | Andrea Jaeger | Pam Shriver Sylvia Hanika | Bobbie Gadusek Anne White Rosie Casals Anne Smith |
Mary Lou Piatek Wendy White 6–1, 3–6, 7–5 | Pam Shriver Paula Smith |
19 Oct | Daihatsu Challenge Brighton, Great Britain Toyota Series (Category 4) Carpet (i) – $125,000 – 32S/16D Singles – Doubles | Sue Barker 4–6, 6–1, 6–1 | Mima Jaušovec | Barbara Potter Anne Smith | Tracy Austin Claudia Kohde-Kilsch Pam Shriver Sylvia Hanika |
Barbara Potter Anne Smith 6–7(1–7), 6–3, 6–4 | Mima Jaušovec Pam Shriver |
Japan Open Tokyo, Japan Toyota Series (Category 1) Hard – $50,000 – S/D Singles – Doubles | Marie Pinterová 2–6, 6–4, 6–1 | Pam Casale | Barbara Potter Patricia Medrado | Julie Harrington Barbara Rossi Marianne van der Torre Lee Duk-hee |
Patricia Medrado Cláudia Monteiro 6–3, 3–6, 6–2 | Barbara Jordan Roberta McCallum |
26 Oct | Porsche Tennis Grand Prix Stuttgart, West Germany Toyota Series (Category 4) Hard (i) – $125,000 – 32S/16D Singles – Doubles | Tracy Austin 4–6, 6–3, 6–4 | Martina Navratilova | Virginia Ruzici Sylvia Hanika | Mima Jaušovec JoAnne Russell Jo Durie Anne Smith |
Mima Jaušovec Martina Navratilova 6–4, 6–1 | Barbara Potter Anne Smith |
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November
More information Week, Tournament ...
Week |
Tournament |
Champions |
Runners-up |
Semifinalists |
Quarterfinalists |
2 Nov | Seiko Classic Hong Kong Toyota Series (Category 1) Hard – $50,000 – 32S/16D Singles – Doubles | Wendy Turnbull 6–3, 6–4 | Sabina Simmonds | Marianne van der Torre Marcella Mesker | Anne Hobbs Patricia Medrado Leigh-Anne Thompson Lee Duk-hee |
Ann Kiyomura Sharon Walsh 6–3, 6–4 | Anne Hobbs Susan Leo |
9 Nov | Federation Cup Tokyo, Japan Team event Clay
| United States 3–0 | Great Britain
| Switzerland Australia
| Romania West Germany Soviet Union Netherlands |
16 Nov | National Panasonic Classic Perth, Australia Toyota Series (Category 4) Grass – $125,000 – 56S/32D Singles – Doubles | Pam Shriver 6–1, 7–6(7–4) | Andrea Jaeger | Mima Jaušovec Ann Kiyomura | Leslie Allen Barbara Potter Jane Preyer Anne Smith |
Barbara Potter Sharon Walsh 6–4, 6–2 | Betsy Nagelsen Candy Reynolds |
23 Nov | NSW Building Society Open Sydney, Australia Toyota Series (Category 4) Grass – $125,000 – 56S/32D Singles – Doubles | Chris Evert-Lloyd 6–4, 2–6, 6–1 | Martina Navratilova | Bettina Bunge Wendy Turnbull
| Evonne Goolagong Cawley Anne Smith Andrea Jaeger Barbara Potter |
Martina Navratilova Pam Shriver 6–7, 6–2, 6–4 | Kathy Jordan Anne Smith |
30 Nov 7 Dec | Toyota Australian Open Melbourne, Australia Grand Slam Grass – $200,000 – 64S/32Q/32D Singles – Doubles | Martina Navratilova 6–7(4–7), 6–4, 7–5 | Chris Evert-Lloyd | Wendy Turnbull Pam Shriver | Hana Mandlíková Andrea Jaeger Evonne Goolagong Cawley Tracy Austin |
Kathy Jordan Anne Smith 6–2, 7–5 | Martina Navratilova Pam Shriver |
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December
More information Week, Tournament ...
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Points system
The 31 Toyota Series tournaments were divided into eight point categories. The highest points were allocated to the Grand Slam tournaments; French Open, the Wimbledon Championships, the US Open and the Australian Open. Points were allocated based on these categories and the finishing position of a player in a tournament.[1] The points allocation, with doubles points listed in brackets, is as follows:
More information Category, Grand Slam $300,000+ ...
Category |
Grand Slam $300,000+ |
7 $200,000+ |
6 $175,000+ |
5 $150,000+ |
4 $125,000+ |
3 $100,000+ |
2 $75,000+ |
1 $50,000+ |
Winner | 250 (125) | 200 (105) | 175 (88) | 150 (75) | 125 (62) | 100 (50) | 75 (38) | 50 (25) |
Runner-up | 200 (100) | 160 (90) | 140 (73) | 120 (60) | 95 (47) | 70 (35) | 50 (25) | 30 (15) |
Semifinalist | 160 (80) | 130 (70) | 110 (57) | 90 (45) | 70 (35) | 50 (25) | 35 (17) | 20 (10) |
Quarterfinalist | 120 (60) | 100 (50) | 80 (40) | 60 (30) | 40 (20) | 25 (12) | 20 (8) | 10 (5) |
Fourth round | 80 (40) | 65 (35) | 50 (25) | 35 (17) | 25 (12) | 15 (8) | 10 (5) | 5 (3) |
Third round | 40 (30) | 30 (22) | 25 (15) | 20 (9) | 15 (5) | 5 (3) | 3 (1) | – (–) |
Second round | 15 (10) | 10 (8) | 10 (5) | 7 (2) | 5 (–) | – (–) | – (–) | – (–) |
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Below are the 1981 WTA year-end rankings (December 31, 1981) in both singles and doubles competition:
More information Singles Year-end Ranking ...
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