Avon Futures of Montreal
| Avon Futures of Montreal | |
|---|---|
| Defunct tennis tournament | |
| Tour | Avon Futures Circuit |
| Founded | 1978 |
| Abolished | 1982 |
| Editions | 4 |
| Location | Montreal, Canada |
| Venue | Club Sportif Cote de Liesse (1978, 1979) Mirabel Racquet Club (1981, 1982) |
| Surface | Hard / indoor |
| Draw | 32 (S) |
| Prize money | $20,000 (1978) $40,000 (1982) |
The Avon Futures of Montreal [1] was a WTA affiliated indoor hard court tennis tournament. It was first played at the Club Sportif Cote de Liesse, in Montreal, Canada in 1978, The event ran annually until 1982 when it was discontinued.
History
The Avon Futures of Canada launched in 1978 at the Club Sportif Côte de Liesse, in Montreal, Canada. In 1981 it moved to the Mirabel Racquet Club.[2] The event was established as a vital winter stop for the women's Avon Futures Circuit. Hana Strachoňová claimed the inaugural title,[3] marking the start of a brief but significant era for professional indoor tennis in Montreal. These early editions provided a competitive platform for rising stars to earn points and transition toward the main Avon Championships Circuit.
During the late 1970s and early 1980s, the tournament featured future champions like Hana Mandlikova and Kathleen Horvath competing on fast indoor surfaces. Played typically in January or February, the club's specialized indoor facilities to host high-level international play during the harsh Canadian winters.
The final edition concluded its run at the Montreal venue in 1982 with Glynis Coles securing the final singles championship over Leigh-Anne Thompson. Although it was discontinued shortly after, its history remains a key chapter in the development of the WTA's global reach and talent pipeline.
Past finals
Singles
| Year | Winner | Runner-up | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978[4] |  Hana Strachoňová |
 Stephanie Tolleson |
4–6, 6–1, 7–5 |
| 1979[5] | Hana Mandlíková |
Leslie Allen |
7–6, 6–2 |
| 1981[6] | Kathleen Horvath |
Candy Reynolds |
6–4, 7–6 |
| 1982[7] |  Glynis Coles |
Leigh-Anne Thompson |
6–4, 6–4 |
Doubles
| Year | Winners | Runners-up | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Pam Shriver Betsy Nagelsen |
Ann Kiyomura Jane Stratton |
6–1, 6–4 |
| 1979 | .svg.png){kind=small} Marjorie Blackwood.svg.png){kind=small} Kym Ruddell |
 Raquel Giscafré Jane Stratton |
6–4, 3–6, 6–4 |
| 1981 | Carol Baily Candy Reynolds |
Diane Desfor Barbara Hallquist |
6–2, 6–3 |
| 1982[8] | Marjorie Blackwood (2) Susan Leo |
Diane Desfor Barbara Jordan |
6–2, 6–4 |
References
- ↑ Bacon, Dick. "Tournament Returns Here Avon Builds Confidence". The Montreal Gazette. p. 40. Retrieved 30 March 2026.
- ↑ Phillips, Randy (22 January 1981). "Smith ralllies t advance in tennis". The Montreal Gazette. p. 40. Retrieved 30 March 2026.
- ↑ Bacon, Dick. "Tournament Returns Here Avon Builds Confidence". The Montreal Gazette. p. 40.
- ↑ "Tennis is best in Junior Classic". St. Petersburg Times. 20 February 1978. p. 28. Retrieved 31 March 2026.
- ↑ "Mandlikova Wins Avon Net Singles". The Montreal Gazette. 12 February 1979. p. 45. Retrieved 31 March 2026.
- ↑ "Meet the star's of this week's Sunbird Cup tennis tourney". Lakeland Ledger. 21 April 1981. p. 30. Retrieved 31 March 2026.
- ↑ "Coles Continues Comeback, Blackwood Wins Doubles". The Montreal Gazette. 23 January 1982. p. 192. Retrieved 31 March 2026.
- ↑ Coles Continues Comeback, Blackwood Wins Doubles". The Montreal Gazette. 23 January 1982. p. 192.