The Grand Prix Points Race:the real ranking system in the 70s/80s?

[kiki]

GP was inspired in car racing Formula 1.Just an addition of points, with no division by nº of tournaments.

[Doug_Hartley_2012]

Not a good indicator in the early 70s.

[kiki]

Originally Posted by Doug_Hartley_2012

Not a good indicator in the early 70s.

True.WCT had also a very similar system, which qualified the 8 guys with most points for Dallas.They had 2 groups of 32 players in 1971-1973 and in 1974-1976 they had a three group system, with 21 players in each group.Except for Connors, all the big names competed in the WCT tour.

In 1978, WCT and Gran prix merged, but it lasted just 4 years, till WCT went his own way from 1982 till 1989, when it ceased operations after severe economic downfall.

Pro tennis, and tennis fans of the 70´s and 80´s ow so much to Lamar Hunt,Al Hill,Dixon et al.

[urban]

In 1971 and 72, the WCT had one group of 32 players, with 20 tournaments played over the year. They were filled up at certain events like Rome, Berkeley or Melbourne by other non contract players. Since 1973 they had 2 then 3 groups, and played only in spring over 10 or 11 events each.

[kiki]

In 1977 WCT run exclusively 16 men drafts with all the best players in the world bar Borg and Vilas ( who took part in Philadelphia and Montecarlo, anyway).The only tournament with a bigger field was Philadelphia, with 64.it was known back then as the unofficial World´s Indoor Championship.