The 1977 Italian Open was a combined men's and women's tennis tournament that was played by men on outdoor clay courts at the Foro Italico in Rome, Italy. The men's tournament was part of the Colgate-Palmolive Grand Prix circuit while the women's tournament was part of the Colgate Series. The tournament was held from 16 May through 22 May 1977. The singles titles were won by eight-seeded Vitas Gerulaitis and fifth-seeded Janet Newberry who earned $21,000 and $6,000 first-prize money respectively. Gerulaitis competed despite being contracted to play for the Indiana Loves World Team Tennis (WTT) franchise and was fined $19,000 for failing to play Björn Borg in the weekend of the final.[3][4][5]
| 1977 Italian Open | |
|---|---|
| Date | 16–22 May |
| Edition | 34th |
| Prize money | $125,000 (M) $35,000 (W) |
| Surface | Clay / outdoor |
| Location | Rome, Italy |
| Venue | Foro Italico |
| Champions | |
| Men's singles | |
 Vitas Gerulaitis[1] | |
| Women's singles | |
| Janet Newberry | |
| Men's doubles | |
Brian Gottfried /  Raúl Ramírez[2] | |
| Women's doubles | |
 Brigitte Cuypers / Marise Kruger | |
Finals
editMen's singles
edit Vitas Gerulaitis defeated
Antonio Zugarelli 6–2, 7–6(7–2), 3–6, 7–6(7–5)
- It was Gerulaitis' 2nd singles title of the year and the 5th of his career.
Women's singles
edit Janet Newberry defeated
Renáta Tomanová 6–3, 7–6(7–5)
- It was Newberry's only singles title of the year and the 2nd and last of her career.
Men's doubles
edit Brian Gottfried /
Raúl Ramírez defeated
Fred McNair /
Sherwood Stewart 6–7, 7–6, 7–5
Women's doubles
edit Brigitte Cuypers /
Marise Kruger defeated
Bunny Bruning /
Sharon Walsh 3–6, 7–5, 6–2
References
edit- ^ "1977 Rome – Men's singles draw". Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP).
- ^ "1977 Rome – Men's doubles draw". Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP).
- ^ John Barrett, ed. (1978). World of Tennis 1978 : a BP yearbook. London: Macdonald and Janes. pp. 97–98. ISBN 9780354090391.
- ^ "It's Veni, Vidi, Vici for Vitas". Sports Illustrated. 15 August 1977.
- ^ "Gerulaitis, Newberry Capture Italian Open Tennis Crowns". The Hour. UPI. 23 May 1977. p. 22.