The Western Championships also known as the Western States Championships or Western Sectional Championships was a men's and women's open tennis tournament staged annually at various locations from 1887 until 1978.

History On July 4, 1887, the first Championships of the Western States were inaugurated at the Scarlett Ribbon Club in Chicago, Illinois, United States, and the first men's champion was Charles Amherst Chase. In 1895 a women's championship event was added to the schedule which was won by Marion Capwell.

In 1973 the final ladies championship was held that was won by the Australian player Evonne Goolagong. The men's tournament continued to play until 1978 which was won by the American player Eddie Dibbs.

The championships were part of the USLTA Circuit from 1887 until 1923. It became of part of the ILTF Circuit following the United States joining the International Lawn Tennis Federation in 1925 until 1969 In 1970 the tournament became part of the ILTF Grand Prix Circuit. In 1955 and from 1969 until 1973 the women's event was also valid as the Tri-State Championships.

Locations The championships have been played in the following cities; Chicago, Cincinnati, Harbor Springs, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Lake Forest, Minnetonka, Neenah, River Forest and Sharonville.

Finals

Men's singles (incomplete roll) Year LocationChampion Runner up ScoreWestern States Championships↓  USNLTA Circuit  ↓ 1887 Chicago Charles A. Chase B.F. Cummins7-5, 6-3, 6-4 1888 Chicago Charles A. Chase (2) E.W. McClellan6-4, 6-2, 6-1Chicago Tribune 8 Jul, 18881889 Chicago Charles A. Chase (3) Samuel T. Chase6-4, 6-4, 6-3 1890 Chicago Charles A. Chase (4) John Ryerson6-3, 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 1891 Chicago Samuel T. Chase B.F. Cummins3-6, 6-2, 6-3, 6-2 1892 Chicago Samuel T. Chase (2) John Ryerson6-4, 6-3, 6-2 Wright & Ditson's (1893) Lawn Tennis Guide for 1892. Boston. p. 531893Evanston Samuel T. Chase (3) Evarts Wrenn6-3, 6-0, 6-4 1897 Chicago Kreigh Collins Carr Neel6-3, 7-5, 7-9, 9-7 1899 Chicago Carr Neel Kreigh Collins6-4, 6-3, 6-31900 Chicago Kreigh Collins (2) Carr Neelw.o.Wright & Ditson's (1901) Lawn Tennis Guide for 1900 pp. 114-1181907Lake Forest Nat Emerson Harry Waidner6-4, 2-6, 6-1, 6-3 1908 Chicago Nat Emerson (2) Harry Waidner8-10, 6-0, 3-6, 6-1, 7-5Western Championships1919Kansas City Willis E. Davis) Ralph Burdick10-8, 4-6, 6-3, 2-6, 6-2 1921Indianapolis Vinnie Richards Walter T. Hayes6-1, 6-4, 6-2 1922Chicago John F. HennesseyWalter Wesbrook6-3, 5-7, 6-1, 11-9 ↓  ILTF Circuit  ↓1923Chicago Walter Wesbrook George Lott? 1924Indianapolis Bill Tilden II John F. Hennessey6-2, 6-1, 6-2 1925Detroit Harvey Snodgrass Walter Wesbrook3-6, 8-6, 7-5, 8-6 1926Indianapolis Alfred H. Chapin Brian Norton 6-4, 5-7, 6-3, 2-6, 6-11927Dayton George Lott John F. Hennessey7-5, 7-5, 6-41928Chicago Emmett Pare Stanley Gordon Lum6-4, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 1929Skokie Keith Gledhill Ellsworth Vines12-10, 0-6, 6-2, 5-7, 6-1 1930Chicago Harris Coggeshall Clifford Sutter2-2 sets retd.1931Chicago Harris Coggeshall (2) Marcel Rainville ? 1932 River Forest Frank Parker Lester Stoefen2-6, 7-5, 6-4, 6-2 1933Chicago George Lott (2) Frank Parker0-6, 7-5, 6-1, 3-6, 6-21934River Forest Bryan Grant John McDiarmid6-1, 6-3, 6-3 1935Chicago Wilbur Coen John McDiarmid6-4, 6-2, 6-2 1936Harbor Springs Ernie Sutter Julius Heldman6-4, 6-0, 6-3 1937Harbor Springs Walter Senior William Murphy6-4, 6-2, 10-8 1939Chicago William Murphy Jack Tidball6-8, 6-1, 6-1, 9-7 1940Indianapolis Bobby Riggs Welby Van Horn6-3, 6-1, 6-2 1941Indianapolis Bobby Riggs (2) Don McNeill7-5, 3-6, 10-8, 6-4 1942Chicago Seymour Greenberg Jimmy Evert7-5, 6-0, 6-2 1944Neenah Pancho Segura Bill Talbert3-6, 6-1 4-6, 6-3, 11-9 1945Neenah Bill Talbert Elwood Cooke6-2, 6-8, 7-5 1946Indianapolis Bill Talbert (2) Seymour Greenberg6-2, 6-2, 4-6, 7-5 1947Chicago Gardner Larned Seymour Greenberg6-2, 6-2, 4-6, 7-5 1948Indianapolis Pancho Gonzales Jack Tuero6-3, 6-1, 6-3 1949Chicago James Brink Herbert (Buddy) Behrens7-5, 6-4, 6-3 1950Indianapolis Herb Flam Tony Trabert6-3, 6-3, 6-4 1951Chicago Bernard Bartzen Seymour Greenberg6-3, 6-1 1952Indianapolis Art Larsen Dick Savitt6-2, 1-6, 8-6, 6-4 1953Milwaukee Noel Brown George Worthington6-3, 6-1, 7-5 1954Indianapolis Vic Seixas Ham Richardson7-5, 3-6, 2-6, 6-2, 6-1 1955Cincinnati Bernard Bartzen (2) Tony Trabert7-9, 11-9, 6-4 1956Indianapolis Vic Seixas Edward Moylan6-4, 6-,3 4-6, 6-2 1957Milwaukee Vic Seixas (2) Bernard Bartzen7-5, 6-2, 6-2 1958Indianapolis Alex Olmedo Bernard Bartzen1-6, 8-6, 6-0 1959Milwaukee Bernard Bartzen (3) Warren Woodcock6-1, 6-2, 3-6, 6-2 1960Indianapolis Whitney Reed Reg Bennett6-2, 6-4, 6-3 1961Milwaukee Donald Dell Marty Riessen2-6, 7-9, 6-0, 6-0, 6-3 1962Indianapolis Charlie Pasarell Marty Riessen2-6, 3-6, 6-4, 6-1, 6-2 1963Milwaukee Billy Lenoir Marty Riessen8-10, 2-6, 6-0, 6-1, 6-2 1964Indianapolis Dennis Ralston Marty Riessen6-4, 6-1, 6-1 1965Milwaukee Cliff Richey Marty Riessen5-7, 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 1966Indianapolis Cliff Richey (2) Dennis Ralston6-1, 1-6, 6-1, 6-2 1967Indianapolis Mike Belkin Pancho Guzmán3-6, 6-3, 6-1, 6-2 1968Indianapolis Jaime Fillol Cliff Richey6-1, 7-5, 6-2↓  Open era  ↓1969Cincinnati Cliff Richey (3) Allan Stone6–1, 6–2.↓  Grand Prix circuit  ↓1970Cincinnati Ken Rosewall Cliff Richey7–9, 9–7, 8–61971Cincinnati Stan Smith Juan Gisbert, Sr.7–6, 6–31972Cincinnati Jimmy Connors Guillermo Vilas6–3, 6–31973Cincinnati Ilie Năstase Manuel Orantes 5–7, 6–3, 6–41974Cincinnati Marty Riessen Robert Lutz 7–6(8–6), 7–6(7–5)1975Cincinnati Tom Gorman Sherwood Stewart 7–5, 2–6, 6–41976Cincinnati Roscoe Tanner Eddie Dibbs7–6, 6–31977Cincinnati Harold Solomon Mark Cox6–2, 6–31979Cincinnati Eddie Dibbs Raúl Ramírez5–7, 6–3, 6–2

Women' singles (incomplete roll) Year LocationChampion Runner up ScoreWestern States Championships↓  USNLTA Circuit  ↓ 1895 Chicago Marion Capwell Carrie Neely 6-2, 6-2, 3-6, 4-6, 7-5 1896 Chicago Jennie Craven Carrie Neely 8-6, 6-3, 6-0 1897 Chicago Louise Pound Jennie Craven 6-0, 6-3, 7-5 1898 Chicago Juliette Atkinson Louise Pound 6-4, 6-3, 7-5 1899 Chicago Juliette Atkinson (2) Myrtle McAteer 5-7, 10-8, 6-4, 6-2 1900 Chicago Myrtle McAteer Maud Banks 6-3, 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 1901 Chicago Myrtle McAteer (2) Winona Closterman 6-2, 6-1, 6-1 1902 Chicago Myrtle McAteer (3) Carrie Neely 9-7, 4-6, 6-0 1903 Chicago Myrtle McAteer (4) Winona Closterman 8-6, 6-1 1904 Chicago May Sutton Marie Wimer 6-2, 6-1 1905 Chicago Myrtle McAteer (5) Carrie Neely 6-4, 6-2 1906 Chicago Winona Closterman Neff Miriam Steever 5-7, 6-4, 6-2 1907Lake Forest Carrie Neely Louise Riddell Williams 7-5, 6-4 1908 Chicago Carrie Neely (2) Miriam Steever3-6, 6-4, 6-2 1909Lake Forest Carrie Neely (3) Alice Day Beard 6-1, 7-5 1910Lake Forest Gwendolyn Rees Carrie Neely5-7, 6-2, 7-5 1911Lake Forest Hazel Hotchkiss Carrie Neely6-1, 6-1 1912Lake Forest May Sutton (2) Mary Browne 6-0, 6-3 1913Lake Forest Gwendolyn Rees (2) Carrie Neely6-2, 6-4 1914Lake Forest Mary Browne Louise Riddell Williams 6-4, 6-3 1915Lake Forest Carrie Neely (4) Louise Pound 6-3, 6-4 1916Lake Forest Marguerite Davis Carrie Neely6-3, 6-3 1917 Chicago Carrie Neely (5) Mary K. Voorhees 6-0, 6-3 1918 Chicago Carrie Neely (6) Ethel Billings Northup 6-3, 6-4Western Championships 1919Kansas City Corinne Gould Marguerite Davis 4-6, 6-0, 6-1 1920Cincinnati Roberta Esch Mildred Rask 8-6, 4-6 6-3 1921Indianapolis Mrs H.S. Adams Ruth Wise 6-2, 6-3 1922 Chicago Marion Leighton Jessie Grieve 6-1, 6-1↓  ILTF Circuit  ↓ 1923 Chicago Ruth Smith Riese Marion Leighton 6-1, 7-5 1924Indianapolis Marion Leighton (2) Lillian Litt Alter6-2, 6-4 1925Detroit Mrs J. Johnston Marion Leighton5-7, 7-5, 7-5 1926Indianapolis Charlotte Hosmer Chapin Marion Leighton6-2, 7-5 1927Dayton Marion Leighton (3) Clara Zinke2-6, 7-5, 6-4 1928Dayton Marjorie Gladman Ruth Smith Riese6-1, 6-3 1929Glencoe Ruth Bailey Clara Zinke6-2, 6-3 1930 Chicago Catherine Wolf Clara Zinke3-6, 6-4, 6-1 1931 Chicago Catherine Wolf (2) Mae Ceurvorst1-6, 6-0, 6-2 1932River Forest Dorothy Weisel Hack Catherine Wolf6-4, 4-6, 11-9 1933 Chicago Catherine Wolf (3) Helen Fulton6-3, 6-3 1934River Forest Gracyn Wheeler Esther Hare Bartosh6-3, 6-1 1935Chicago Catherine Wolf (4) Eunice Dean6-0, 6-3 1936Harbor Springs Catherine Wolf (5) Elizabeth Kesting6-4, 6-4 1937Harbor Springs Catherine Wolf (6) Elizabeth Kesting7-5, 4-6, 6-4 1939 Chicago Virginia Wolfenden Patricia Canning5-7, 6-1, 6-1 1940Indianapolis Alice Marble Virginia Wolfenden6-2, 8-6 1941Indianapolis Pauline Betz Dorothy Bundy9-7, 4-6, 6-3 1942Chicago Catherine Wolf (7) Baba Lewis 6-3, 6-4 1944Neenah Pauline Betz (2) Dorothy Bundy6-1, 6-2 1945Neenah Doris Hart Mary Arnold6-3, 8-6 1946Indianapolis Mary Arnold Prentiss Shirley Fry3-6, 6-1, 6-3 1947 Chicago Lucille Davidson Doris Popple6-4, 1-6, 6-4 1948Indianapolis Dorothy Head Baba Lewis6-3, 6-3 1949 Chicago Magda Rurac Beverly Baker2-6, 6-3, 7-5 1950Indianapolis Beverly Baker Melita Ramirez6-1, 6-2 1951 Chicago Toby Greenberg Jeanne Arth6-1, 3-6, 6-3 1952Indianapolis Anita Kanter Karol Fageros7-5, 6-4 1953Milwaukee Thelma Coyne Long Althea Gibson7-5, 6-3 1954Indianapolis Lois Felix Ethel Norton6-3, 3-6, 6-2 1955Cincinnati Mimi Arnold Barbara Breit6-4, 6-3 1956Indianapolis Mary Ann Mitchell Barbara Green6-8, 6-2, 6-2 1957Milwaukee Karol Fageros Lois Felix6-3, 6-2 1958Indianapolis Susan Hodgeman Marilyn Montgomery6-3, 6-0 1959Milwaukee Karol Fageros (2) Dottie Head Knode3-6, 6-4, 6-3 1960 Indianapolis Susan Hodgeman Farel Footman6-1, 6-2 1961Milwaukee Mary Habicht Lynn Haines1-6, 6-2, 6-0 1962 Indianapolis Tory Ann Fretz Julie Heldman8-6, 6-3 1963Milwaukee Nancy Richey Vicki Palmer6-2, 7-5 1964Indianapolis Julie Heldman Jean Danilovich6-4, 0-6, 7-5 1965Milwaukee Nancy Richey (2) Carole Caldwell Graebner6-1, 6-0 1966Indianapolis Nancy Richey (3) Peachy Kellmeyer6-0, 6-1 1967Indianapolis Nancy Richey (4) Kerry Melville6-4, 6-0 1968Indianapolis Nancy Richey (5) Stephanie DeFina6-3, 6-2↓  Open era  ↓ 1969Cincinnati Lesley Turner Bowrey Gail Sherriff Chanfreau1-6, 7-5, 10-10, ret.↓  Grand Prix circuit  ↓ 1970Cincinnati Rosemary Casals Nancy Richey6-3, 6-3 1971Cincinnati Virginia Wade Linda Tuero6-3, 6-3 1972Cincinnati Margaret Smith Court Evonne Goolagong3-6, 6-2, 7-5 1973Cincinnati Evonne Goolagong Chris Evert6-2, 7-5

Tournament statistics Men Most Singles Titles: Charles A. Chase (4) Most Singles Finals: Marty Riessen (6)

Women Most Singles Titles: Catherine Wolf (7) Most Singles Finals: Carrie Neely (14)

See also Western Indoor Open (indoor event from 1920 to 1978)

References