The 2008 Bausch & Lomb Championship was the last women's professional tennis tournament to be played on the green clay courts at Amelia Island in Florida. Maria Sharapova was the champion.
Martina Navratilova won the inaugural Women's Tennis Association (WTA) Championship in 1980. By winning the Amelia Island tournament at that time, Martina also won back her No. 1 ranking.
"It's a two-horse race" for the No. 1 ranking at the start of 1980. "That's the new, interesting dimension this close battle is giving women's tennis. It's so close, the ranking is literally on the racket," a WTA representative enthused at the time.
Bausch & Lomb began its sponsorship of the Amelia Island Championships in 1987. Steffi Graf was the champion that year. Of Steffi, Martina expressed at the time, "Attitude is everything and that's one thing Steffi has over all of us. Everytime she goes out there she thinks she can win."
Of Martina, Pam Shriver observed in 1984, "She has just set such high standard. In the long run, it’s really going to be great for tennis."
After losing to Martina in 1984, Chris Evert conceded, "With Martina...she gets ahead and really takes the bull by the horns."
"I think the way I've changed the game is the way Chris and (Bjorn) Borg did," Martina remarked.
Although there was a new title sponsor for the 2009 and 2010 championships, the event was played at a different location. Caroline Wozniacki was the champion. After 31 years, the WTA Championships wound up. "The Bausch & Lomb Championships has a rich and vibrant history on Amelia Island," the tournament director readily acknowledged.
Of the 1984 final, Martina mentioned, "I felt bad for Chris...We've been in so many finals together that she's the one person I feel bad for. Of course, she won 2 games which is better than I did the last time." That last time was the 1981 final in which Chris won love and love.
Chris told Sports Illustrated magazine in 1984, "Four or 5 years ago we had a few stars. Now there are only 2 of us."
In 1983, the WTA tour did away with the split format and went back to its year-long format. Virginia Slims also came back as the main sponsor of women's tennis. The World Championship Series at the time comprised of 30 "Formula One" (or major) tournaments. A player would require to play in at least 11 tournaments. "Formula Two" level consisted of another 30 tournaments and about 8 other tournaments were set up for the "Ginny Circuit" which would allow players to win sufficient points to play in the "Formula One" events.
Martina Navratilova won the inaugural Women's Tennis Association (WTA) Championship in 1980. By winning the Amelia Island tournament at that time, Martina also won back her No. 1 ranking.
"It's a two-horse race" for the No. 1 ranking at the start of 1980. "That's the new, interesting dimension this close battle is giving women's tennis. It's so close, the ranking is literally on the racket," a WTA representative enthused at the time.
Bausch & Lomb began its sponsorship of the Amelia Island Championships in 1987. Steffi Graf was the champion that year. Of Steffi, Martina expressed at the time, "Attitude is everything and that's one thing Steffi has over all of us. Everytime she goes out there she thinks she can win."
Of Martina, Pam Shriver observed in 1984, "She has just set such high standard. In the long run, it’s really going to be great for tennis."
After losing to Martina in 1984, Chris Evert conceded, "With Martina...she gets ahead and really takes the bull by the horns."
"I think the way I've changed the game is the way Chris and (Bjorn) Borg did," Martina remarked.
Although there was a new title sponsor for the 2009 and 2010 championships, the event was played at a different location. Caroline Wozniacki was the champion. After 31 years, the WTA Championships wound up. "The Bausch & Lomb Championships has a rich and vibrant history on Amelia Island," the tournament director readily acknowledged.
Of the 1984 final, Martina mentioned, "I felt bad for Chris...We've been in so many finals together that she's the one person I feel bad for. Of course, she won 2 games which is better than I did the last time." That last time was the 1981 final in which Chris won love and love.
Chris told Sports Illustrated magazine in 1984, "Four or 5 years ago we had a few stars. Now there are only 2 of us."
In 1983, the WTA tour did away with the split format and went back to its year-long format. Virginia Slims also came back as the main sponsor of women's tennis. The World Championship Series at the time comprised of 30 "Formula One" (or major) tournaments. A player would require to play in at least 11 tournaments. "Formula Two" level consisted of another 30 tournaments and about 8 other tournaments were set up for the "Ginny Circuit" which would allow players to win sufficient points to play in the "Formula One" events.
