The Virginia Slims of Richmond is a defunct WTA Tour affiliated women's tennis tournament founded in 1968 as the Westwood Indoor Invitation.[1] It was held at the Westwood Racquet Club in Richmond, Virginia in the United States and played on indoor clay courts. The 1970 invitational tournament was the second women's only tennis tournament after the 1970 Houston Women's Invitation.[2]
History
In 1927 the Westwood Golf Club was established as a public club that was active till 1935 when it was closed down.[3] In 1939 it reopened as a private members club called the Westwood Supper Club.[4] In the mid 1940s the venue changed its name to "The Officer's Club of Virginia".[5] In 1955 new tennis courts were constructed at the venue.[6] In 1967 the club changed its name to the Westwood Racquet Club.[7] In 1968 it established a new tennis event called the "Westwood Indoor Invitation
usually held in November that ran until 1969. In November 1970, a group of professional women tennis players called the "Original Nine" played in a historical tournament at Westwood.[8] this first all-women's tennis event known as the "Virginia Slims Invitational" that was part of the 1970 ILTF Women's Tennis Circuit that year. Philip Morris, Inc.. was the tournaments title sponsor with Westwood Racquet Club as host venue.[9] In 1971 the event was not held however in 1972 it was revived as the Virginia Slims of Richmond that ran til 1973.
In 1959 the Westwood Country Club of St. Louis also established a Westwood Invitation tournament a combined men's and women's tournament played on outdoor clay courts,[11] as opposed to this event that was played on clay indoors.[11] The Westwood Invitation of St.Louis ran until 1969.[11]
