The Jacksonville Open also known as the Greater Jacksonville Invitation or Greater Jacksonville Open is a defunct men's and women's tennis tournament founded in 1961 as the Jacksonville Invitation originally played on outdoor hard courts later switching to indoor courts. The tournament ran until 1977.
History The Jacksonville Open tennis tournament was founded in 1961 as the Jacksonville Invitation. The tournament was part South Florida-Caribbean Circuit which was a major feature of the international tennis scene in from the 1930s to early 1970s. In 1972 it part of the 1972 USLTA Indoor Circuit. The event was held in Jacksonville, Florida and was played on indoor hard courts. Jimmy Connors won the singles title, defeating Clark Graebner in the final.
In 1970 a women's event was included in the schedule for one year only that was won by Nancy Richey.Daily Press (Virginia) In 1972 a Jacksonsville Invitation tournament for women was established as an outdoor clay court event. It sponsorship name was the Virginia Slims of Jacksonville.
Finals
Men's singles YearWinnersRunners-upScore1961 Bill Tym Jack Bryan6–0, 7–5, 11–9 1964 Paul Scarpa Hank Veno6–1, 6–11968 Clark Graebner Ronald Holmberg8–6, 6–21969 Pancho Guzmán Mike Belkin6–4, 6–21970 Arthur Ashe Brian Fairlie6–3, 4–6, 6–3Daily Press (Virginia)1971 Tom Edlefsen Clark Graebner7–5, 4–6, 6–31972 Jimmy Connors Clark Graebner 7–5, 6–41975 Danny Sullivan Bill Cantrell 6–4, 5–7, 6–31977 Zdravko Mincek Bill Cantrell 6–3, 6–0
Women's singles Note: two editions were held in 1970 in March and May. YearWinnersRunners-upScoreGreater Jacksonville Invitation1969Pensacola News Journal Judy Alvarez Wendy Overton7–5, 2–6, 6–1Greater Jacksonville Open1970Daily Press (Virginia) Nancy Richey Val Ziegenfuss6–1, 6–3Jacksonville Invitation1970 Isabel Fernández de Soto Toni Kramer6–0, 6–2
References
External links Singles draw