14 February 2012

1971 (Age 27-28)

Billie Jean King had an extraordinary year. She won 17 singles titles, including the US Open, the U. S. National Women's Clay Courts Championships, the British indoor championships, and the West German and Austrian national championships on clay. She also became the first woman to win US$100,000 in annual prize money (inflation-adjusted to US$653,000 in April 2021 dollars). 

King also dominated in women's doubles, winning Wimbledon and 20 other titles. (She did not play women's doubles at the US Open.) She also went undefeated in mixed doubles, winning Wimbledon and the US Open.

She did not play the Australian Open or the French Open. Skipping Paris may have cost her the year-end World No. 1 ranking. She lost to Evonne Goolagong Cawley in the semifinals of Wimbledon, which was their only match-up of the year. That straight-sets win, her 2 Grand Slam singles titles (the French Open and Wimbledon), and her runner-up finish at the Australian Open were sufficient for most experts to rank Goolagong Cawley as the top singles player for 1971.

King's all events win–loss record was 185–18, 91.1% (69–3, 95.8% indoors, 24–3, 88.9% on hard courts, 46–6, 88.5% on clay, and 46–6, 88.5% on grass). Her 40 titles (out of 60 events played) came on the following surfaces: 18 indoors, 10 on clay, 9 on grass, and 3 on hard courts.

She won 17 singles titles at the 32 singles tournaments she played. Her win–loss record was 112–14, 88.9% (46–2, 95.8% indoors, 14–2, 87.5% on hard courts, 30–5, 85.7% on clay, and 22–5, 81.5% on grass). King defaulted 1 match, which did not count as a loss. (The International Tennis Hall of Fame lists her record as 112-13, apparently not counting as a loss the mid-match retirements by King and Rosemary Casals at the Pacific Southwest Open.) Her titles were on the following surfaces: 10 indoors, 4 on clay, 2 on grass, and 1 on hard courts.

King also won 21 women's doubles titles at the 26 women's doubles tournaments she played. Her documented win–loss record was 63–4, 94.0% (23–1, 95.8% indoors, 16–1, 94.1% on clay, 14–1, 93.3% on grass, and 10–1, 90.9% on hard courts). Her titles were on the following surfaces: 8 indoors, 6 on clay, 5 on grass, and 2 on hard courts.

And finally, she won both of the mixed doubles tournaments she played. Her win–loss record was 10–0, 100% (all on grass).

Lance Tingay at the Daily Telegraph ranked King first in the world at year-end. The United States Lawn Tennis Association ranked King first in the United States.

HEAD-TO-HEAD IN ALL EVENTS (258-22)

20-6  Françoise Durr

13-1  Rosemary Casals

14-3  Kerry Melville Reid
13-2  Ann Haydon Jones

11-1  Judy Tegart Dalton

  7-0  Julie Heldman

  7-1  Mary Ann Eisel Curtis Beattie
  7-1  Valerie Ziegenfuss
  6-0  Karen Krantzke
  6-0  Lesley Hunt
  6-0  Nancy Richey

  5-0  Heidi Schildknecht Orth
  5-0  Helen Gourlay Cawley
  5-0  Kristien Kemmer Shaw Ziska
  5-0  Kristy Pigeon Crawford
  5-0  Lita Liem Sugiarto
  5-0  Wendy Gilchrist Paish
  5-0  Wendy Overton

  4-0  Betty Ann Grubb Hansen Stuart Dent
         Grout
  4-0  Cecilia Martinez
  4-0  Esme Emanuel
  4-0  Linda Tuero

  4-1  Helga Niessen Masthoff
  4-1  Margaret Smith Court
  3-0  Jane "Peaches" Bartkowicz
  3-0  Patricia Ann Reese
  3-0  Tory Fretz
  3-0  Virginia Wade

  3-1  Kerry Harris
  2-0  Betty Stöve
  2-0  Christine Truman Janes
  2-0  Corinne Molesworth
  2-0  Farel Footman
  2-0  Gail Sherriff Chanfreau Lovera
  2-0  Helga Schultze Hösl Thaw
  2-0  Isabel Fernandez
  2-0  Jeanne Arth
  2-0  Jill Cooper
  2-0  Marie Neumannova Pinterova
  2-0  Patti Hogan Fordyce
  2-0  Robert Maud (male)
  2-0  Stephanie DeFina Johnson Hagan

  2-1  Evonne Goolagong Cawley
  2-1  Nell Truman Robinson
  1-0  Allan McDonald (male)
  1-0  Bunny Smith
  1-0  Carole Caldwell Graebner
  1-0  Cherry Armitage
  1-0  Christina Sandberg
  1-0  Daniele Bouteleux
  1-0  Denise Carter Triolo
  1-0  Edda Buding
  1-0  Fiona Bonicelli
  1-0  Frew McMillan (male)
  1-0  Gail Hansen
  1-0  Gardnar Mulloy (male)
  1-0  Hamilton Richardson (male)
  1-0  Helen Amos
  1-0  Ilie Nastase (male)
  1-0  Jackie Fayter
  1-0  Janet Newberry
  1-0  Jenny Helliar
  1-0  Judy Langford
  1-0  Kathy Kraft 
  1-0  Katja Ebbinghaus
  1-0  Lany Kaligis
  1-0  Laura DuPont
  1-0  Laura Rossouw
  1-0  Laurie Tenney
  1-0  Lesley Turner Bowrey
  1-0  Lucia Bassi
  1-0  Mark Elliott (male)
  1-0  Marty Riessen (male)
  1-0  Miloslava Holzibova
  1-0  Mona Schallau Guerrant
  1-0  Nancy Ornstein
  1-0  Natalie Fuchs
  1-0  Pam Austin
  1-0  Pam Teeguarden
  1-0  Patricia Hern
  1-0  Robert Howe (male)
  1-0  Shirley Bloomer Brasher
  1-0  Susan Armstrong
  1-0  Tam O'Shaughnessy
  1-0  Tina Watanabe
  1-0  Veronica Burton
  1-0  Vicky Berner

  1-1  Chris Evert

  0-1  Mid-match retirement of both
          players

HEAD-TO-HEAD IN SINGLES (112-14)

12-1  Rosemary Casals

  8-2  Kerry Melville Reid
  7-1  Ann Haydon Jones

  4-0  Julie Heldman
  4-0  Lita Liem Sugiarto

  3-0  Helen Gourlay Cawley
  3-0  Kristien Kemmer Shaw Ziska
  3-0  Mary Ann Eisel Curtis Beattie
  3-0  Nancy Richey
  3-0  Wendy Gilchrist Paish
  3-0  Wendy Overton

  6-4  Fran
çoise Durr
  2-0  Betty Ann Grubb Hansen Stuart Dent
         Grout
  2-0  Cecilia Martinez
  2-0  Esme Emanuel
  2-0  Heidi Schildknecht Orth
  2-0  Helga Schultze Hösl Thaw
  2-0  Judy Tegart Dalton
  2-0  Karen Krantzke
  2-0  Linda Tuero
  2-0  Valerie Ziegenfuss
  2-0  Virginia Wade

  1-0  Carole Caldwell Graebner
  1-0  Cherry Armitage
  1-0  Christine Truman Janes
  1-0  Christina Sandberg
  1-0  Corinne Molesworth
  1-0  Daniele Bouteleux
  1-0  Isabel Fernandez
  1-0  Jane "Peaches" Bartkowicz
  1-0  Janet Newberry
  1-0  Jeanne Arth
  1-0  Jenny Helliar
  1-0  Jill Cooper
  1-0  Kerry Harris
  1-0  Kristy Pigeon Crawford
  1-0  Laura DuPont
  1-0  Laura Rossouw
  1-0  Laurie Tenney
  1-0  Lesley Hunt
  1-0  Lucia Bassi
  1-0  Marie Neumannova Pinterova
  1-0  Nancy Ornstein
  1-0  Natalie Fuchs
  1-0  Patricia Ann Reese
  1-0  Patricia Hern
  1-0  Patti Hogan Fordyce
  1-0  Shirley Bloomer Brasher
  1-0  Stephanie DeFina Johnson Hagan
  1-0  Tina Watanabe
  1-0  Tory Fretz

  1-1  Chris Evert
  1-1  Helga Niessen Masthoff
  1-1  Margaret Smith Court
  1-1  Nell Truman Robinson

  0-1  Evonne Goolagong Cawley
  0-1  Mid-match retirement of both players

HEAD-TO-HEAD IN WOMEN'S DOUBLES (BY INDIVIDUAL) (126–8)

14-2  Françoise Durr

  8-1  Judy Tegart Dalton

  6-1  Ann Haydon Jones
  6-1  Kerry Melville Reid
  5-0  Lesley Hunt

  5-1  Valerie Ziegenfuss
  4-0  Karen Krantzcke
  4-0  Kristy Pigeon Crawford

  4-1  Mary Ann Eisel Curtis Beattie
  3-0  Heidi Schildknecht Orth
  3-0  Helga Niessen Masthoff
  3-0  Julie Heldman
  3-0  Nancy Richey

  2-0  Betty Ann Grubb Hansen Stuart Dent
         Grout
  2-0  Cecilia Martinez
  2-0  Esme Emanuel
  2-0  Evonne Goolagong Cawley
  2-0  Farel Footman
  2-0  Gail Sherriff Chanfreau Lovera
  2-0  Helen Gourlay Cawley
  2-0  Jane "Peaches" Bartkowicz
  2-0  Kristien Kemmer Shaw Ziska
  2-0  Linda Tuero
  2-0  Margaret Smith Court
  2-0  Patricia Ann Reese
  2-0  Tory Fretz
  2-0  Wendy Gilchrist Paish
  2-0  Wendy Overton

  2-1  Kerry Harris
  1-0  Christine Truman Janes
  1-0  Corinne Molesworth
  1-0  Denise Carter Triolo
  1-0  Edda Buding
  1-0  Fiona Bonicelli
  1-0  Helen Amos
  1-0  Isabel Fernandez
  1-0  Jackie Fayter
  1-0  Jill Cooper
  1-0  Judy Langford
  1-0  Kathy Kraft
  1-0  Katja Ebbinghaus
  1-0  Lany Kaligis
  1-0  Lesley Turner Bowrey
  1-0  Lita Liem Sugiarto
  1-0  Marie Neumannova Pinterova
  1-0  Miloslava Holzibova
  1-0  Mona Schallau Guerrant
  1-0  Nell Truman Robinson
  1-0  Pam Austin
  1-0  Pam Teeguarden
  1-0  Stephanie DeFina Johnson Hagan
  1-0  Susan Armstrong
  1-0  Tam O'Shaughnessy
  1-0  Veronica Burton
  1-0  Vicky Berner

HEAD-TO-HEAD IN MIXED DOUBLES (BY INDIVIDUAL) (20–0)

2-0  Betty Stöve
2-0  Robert Maud (male)

1-0  Allan McDonald (male)
1-0  Bunny Smith
1-0  Frew McMillan (male)
1-0  Gail Hansen
1-0  Gardnar Mulloy (male)
1-0  Hamilton Richardson (male)
1-0  Ilie Nastase (male)
1-0  Jeanne Arth
1-0  Judy Tegart Dalton
1-0  Margaret Smith Court
1-0  Mark Elliott (male)
1-0  Marty Riessen (male)
1-0  Patti Hogan Fordyce
1-0  Robert Howe (male)
1-0  Rosemary Casals
1-0  Virginia Wade


Week of January 4, 1971
British Motor Car Invitational
Virginia Slims National Pro Circuit
Civic Auditorium
San Francisco, California, U. S.
Indoor

King in singles, [1] seed:

1R  d. Esme Emanuel 6-2, 6-3
QF  d. Françoise Durr 3-6, 7-5, 6-1
SF  d. [4]  Ann Haydon Jones 6-0, 6-0
FN  d. [2]  Rosemary Casals 6-3, 6-4

King in women's doubles with Rosemary Casals:

1R  d. Nancy Richey / Jane "Peaches" Bartkowicz 6-3, 6-4
SF  d. Kerry Melville Reid / Karen Krantzcke 6-3, 6-4
FN  d. Ann Haydon Jones / Françoise Durr 6-4, 6-7, 6-1

Week of January 11, 1971
Billie Jean King Invitational
Virginia Slims National Pro Circuit
Billie Jean King Center & Long Beach City College Gym
Long Beach, California, U. S.
Hard & Indoor

King in singles, [1] seed:

1R  d. Françoise Durr 4-6, 7-6(5-4), 6-1 (hard outdoor)
QF  d. Stephanie DeFina Johnson Hagan 6-1, 6-4 (hard outdoor)
SF  d. [3]  Ann Haydon Jones 6-2, 6-0 (indoor)
FN  d. [2]  Rosemary Casals 6-1, 6-2 (indoor)

In the first round, Françoise Durr failed to convert four consecutive match points from (4-1) in the second set tiebreaker.

Darlene Hard lost to Stephanie DeFina Johnson Hagan in the first round, thus preventing a blockbuster quarterfinal match with King.

King in women's doubles with Rosemary Casals:

1R  Advanced by walkover. Darlene Hard / Betty Ann Grubb Hansen Stuart Dent Grout defaulted.
SF  d. Kerry Melville Reid / Karen Krantzcke 6-0, 6-3
FN  d. Ann Haydon Jones / Françoise Durr 7-5, 6-3

Week of January 18, 1971
Virginia Slims National Pro Circuit
Brook Club
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U. S.
Indoor

General Note;

King described the courts as slow and soft.

King in singles, [1] seed:

1R  Advanced by walkover. Unknown opponent from Milwaukee defaulted.
2R  d. Kerry Melville Reid 6-1, 6-3
QF  d. Mary Ann Eisel Curtis Beattie 6-3, 6-2
SF  d. [3]  Ann Haydon Jones 7-5, 6-3
FN  d. [2]  Rosemary Casals 6-3, 6-2

King won 4 of her first 5 service games at love during her semifinal with Ann Haydon Jones.

King in women's doubles with Rosemary Casals:

1R  d. Mary Ann Eisel Curtis Beattie / Valerie Ziegenfuss 6-3, 6-2
SF  d. Kerry Melville Reid / Karen Krantzcke 6-1, 6-1
FN  d. Ann Haydon Jones / Françoise Durr 3-6, 6-1, 6-3

Week of January 25, 1971
Virginia Slims of Oklahoma
Frederickson Field House at Oklahoma City University
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U. S.
Indoor (Sportface)

Draws:

The 8-team (3 rounds) doubles draw beginning with the semifinals and the entire 16-woman (4 rounds) singles draw are available.

King in singles, [1] seed:

1R  d. Valerie Ziegenfuss 6-2, 6-4
QF  d. Kerry Melville Reid 6-7(0-5), 6-2, 6-4
SF  d. [4]  Françoise Durr 6-2, 6-2
FN  d. [2]  Rosemary Casals 1-6, 7-6(5-2), 6-4

Rosemary Casals served for the championship with a 6-1, 6-5 lead. She quickly fell behind (0-40) but then recovered to deuce, only 2 points from victory. But King won that game. In the tiebreak, a lucky net cord gave King a (4-2) lead and 3 consecutive set points. She needed only 1 of them. On match point in the third set, King benefitted from another lucky net cord to win the title.

In the quarterfinal against Kerry Melville Reid, King rallied from 4-2 down in the third set.

King in women's doubles with Rosemary Casals:

1R  d. Kristy Pigeon Crawford / Denise Carter Triolo 6-2, 6-3
SF  d. Esme Emanuel / Cecilia Martinez 6-4, 6-2
FN  d. Mary Ann Eisel Curtis Beattie / Valerie Ziegenfuss 6-7, 6-0, 7-5

Week of February 1, 1971
Virginia Slims Invitational
Sewanee & Chattanooga, Tennessee, U. S.
Indoor

King in singles, [1] seed:

1R  d. Cecilia Martinez 6-2, 6-4
QF  d. Jane "Peaches" Bartkowicz 3-6, 6-0, 6-1
SF  d. [4]  Françoise Durr 6-3, 6-2
FN  d. [3]  Ann Haydon Jones 6-4, 6-1

King in women's doubles with Rosemary Casals:

1R  d. Tory Fretz / Stephanie DeFina Johnson Hagan 6-2, 6-3
SF  d. Judy Tegart Dalton / Jane "Peaches" Bartkowicz 7-5, 7-5
FN  d. Ann Haydon Jones / Françoise Durr 6-4, 7-5

Week of February 8, 1971
Philadelphia International Tennis Championships
Virginia Slims National Pro Circuit
The Spectrum
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U. S.
Indoor

General Note:

No evidence of a women's doubles event was found.

Draw:

The singles draw included 16 women (4 rounds) with 4 seeded players.

King in singles, [1] seed:

1R  d. Mary Ann Eisel Curtis Beattie 6-3, 3-6, 6-2
QF  d. Tory Fretz 6-1, 6-4
SF  lost to [4]  Françoise Durr 6-2, 5-7, 7-6(6)

Françoise Durr had a 5-1 lead in the third set of the semifinal match with King. But King won 5 of the next 6 games, saving 2 match points along the way, to force a match-ending tiebreaker. King took a 
(4-1) lead, but failed to win either of her match points at (6-4) and (6-5). Durr recovered to win the last 4 points of the match.

Week of February 15, 1971
WLOD International Championships
Lighthouse Point Yacht & Tennis Club
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U. S.
Clay

King in singles, [1] seed:

1R  d. Kristy Pigeon Crawford 6-3, 6-3
QF  d. Judy Tegart Dalton 7-6, 6-3
SF  d. Kerry Melville Reid 7-5, 6-4
FN  lost to [4]  Françoise Durr 6-3, 3-6, 6-3

King in women's doubles with Rosemary Casals:

FN  d. Ann Haydon Jones / Françoise Durr 7-6, 6-4

Week of February 22, 1971
U. S. National Indoor Championships
Virginia Slims National Pro Circuit
Winchester Indoor Lawn Tennis Center
Winchester, Massachusetts, U. S.
Indoor

King in singles, [1 domestic] seed:

1R  d. Laurie Tenney 6-1, 6-2
QF  d. Judy Tegart Dalton 6-0, 6-2
SF  d. [2 foreign]  Ann Haydon Jones 6-2, 6-2
FN  d. [2 domestic]  Rosemary Casals 4-6, 6-2, 6-3

King's prize money was US$2,500.

King in women's doubles with Rosemary Casals:

QF  d. Judy Tegart Dalton / Kerry Melville Reid 2-6, 7-6, 6-2
SF  d. Mary Ann Eisel Curtis Beattie / Valerie Ziegenfuss 6-2, 7-5
FN  d. Ann Haydon Jones / Françoise Durr 6-4, 7-5

King and Rosemary Casals won their 30th consecutive doubles match in the final.

Week of March 15, 1971
K-Mart Invitational
Virginia Slims National Pro Circuit
Rochester & Troy, Michigan, U. S.
Indoor

General Notes:

(1) Bloomfield Tennis House was used in Troy, Michigan. The Oakland University Sports and Recreation Building was used in Rochester, Michigan.

(2) The playing surface was considered to be "very fast."

King in singles, [1] seed:

1R  d. Karen Krantzcke 4-6, 6-4, 6-3
QF  d. Valerie Ziegenfuss 6-3, 6-2
SF  d. [3]  Ann Haydon Jones 6-4, 4-6, 6-3
FN  d. [2]  Rosemary Casals 3-6, 6-1, 6-2

King won the first 3 games of the final, but Rosemary Casals won the next 6 games to take the first set.

King's singles prize money was US$2,000 (inflation-adjusted to US$13,350 in April 2021 dollars).

King in women's doubles with Rosemary Casals:

QF  d. Wendy Gilchrist Paish / Kristy Pigeon Crawford 6-4, 6-3
SF  lost to Mary Ann Eisel Curtis Beattie / Valerie Ziegenfuss 7-5, 4-6, 6-3

Week of March 22, 1971
Virginia Slims Invitational
34th Street Armory
New York City, U. S.
Indoor

General Note:

Women's doubles was not held.

King in singles, [1] seed:

1R  d. Carole Caldwell Graebner 6-2, 6-3
QF  d. Julie Heldman 6-2, 6-1
SF  d. [3]  Ann Haydon Jones 6-2, 7-6(5-0)
FN  lost to [2]  Rosemary Casals 6-4, 6-4

Early in the final, King dumped four consecutive service returns into the net, a sure sign she had lost her form. Rosemary Casals kept charging the net. "We really didn't have many rallies," said King. Near the end, the crowd of 1,300 wondered if Casals could finish it off. There was widespread belief that she pysched herself out in matches versus her good friend. Casals's take was, "I don't think I get pysched out against Billie Jean. I think people just forget that she's a tough tennis player." King suggested later that poor lighting and light balls affected her performance. "I've lost in 3 tournaments this year, and in all 3 tournaments, they've used lighter balls. I don't want to make any excuses though, because Rosie served very well. I just wasn't getting any balls back."

In their last career singles match, King defeated Carole Caldwell Graebner in the first round.

Week of March 29, 1971
Virginia Slims National Pro Circuit
Caribe Hilton
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Hard

King in singles, [1] seed:

1R  bye
2R  King defaulted. Denise Carter Triolo advanced by walkover.

Women's doubles:

King did not enter this event.

Week of April 5, 1971
Virginia Slims Masters
St. Petersburg Tennis Center at Bartlett Park
St. Petersburg, Florida, U. S.
Clay

King in singles, [1] seed:

1R  d. Wendy Gilchrist Paish 6-2, 6-1
QF  d. [NS]   Karen Krantzcke 6-2, 7-6(5-4)
SF  lost to [NS]  Chris Evert 6-7(2-5), 6-3, retired (leg cramps or the lingering effects of an abortion)

Chris Evert forced King to run in their semifinal with more than 20-shot rallies, resulting in King getting leg cramps and defaulting at the start of the third set. King trailed 4-1 in the first set before rallying to win the tiebreaker.

King in women's doubles with Rosemary Casals:

1R  Advanced by walkover. Wendy Gilchrist Paish / Kristy Pigeon Crawford defaulted.
SF  King / Casals defaulted. Judy Tegart Dalton / Julie Heldman advanced by walkover.

Week of April 12, 1971
Ceasars Palace World Professional Championships
Virginia Slims National Pro Tour
Caesars Palace Tennis Complex
Las Vegas, Nevada, U. S.
Hard

King in singles, [1] seed:

1R  d. Kristien Kemmer Shaw Ziska 6-1, 6-1
QF  d. Nancy Richey 6-2, 2-6, 6-4
SF  d. Julie Heldman 6-0, 6-2
FN  lost to [3]  Ann Haydon Jones 7-5, 6-4

King in women's doubles with Rosemary Casals:

PR  d. Kristien Kemmer Shaw Ziska / Patricia Ann Reese 6-3, 6-2
QF  d. Tory Fretz / Wendy Gilchrist Paish 6-4, 6-2
SF  d. Kerry Melville Reid / Karen Krantzcke 7-5, 6-2
FN  lost to Ann Haydon Jones / Françoise Durr 0-6, 6-2, 6-4

Week of April 19, 1971
Virginia Slims Invitational
Morley Field Sports Complex
San Diego, California, U. S.
Indoor

King in singles, [1] seed:

1R  d. Janet Newberry 6-1, 7-5
QF  d. Esme Emanuel 6-3, 6-4
SF  d. Julie Heldman 6-3, 6-4
FN  d. [2]  Rosemary Casals 4-6, 7-5, 6-1

While enjoying a huge 6-4, 4-0 lead in the final, Rosemary Casals lent King one of her racquets. "Mrs. King turned the match around after she changed from a wood to steel racquet." King took 13 of the next 15 games to win the title. Her prize money was US$2,500 (US$16,500 in March 2021 dollars).

King in women's doubles with Rosemary Casals:

1R  Advanced by walkover. Wendy Gilchrist Paish / Kristy Pigeon Crawford defaulted.
SF  d. Julie Heldman / Valerie Ziegenfuss 7-5, 6-1
FN  d. Françoise Durr / Judy Tegart Dalton 6-7, 6-2, 6-3

King's share of the winnings was US$250 (US$1,650 in March 2021 dollars).

Week of May 10, 1971
Bio-Strath London Hard Court Championships
Hurlingham, United Kingdom
Clay

General Notes:

While this tournament was underway, the Associated Press reported the following:
Margaret Court, Australia's reigning Wimbledon champion, claimed yesterday she is being snubbed by stars of the "women's lib" tennis group because she has refused to join them. The group of professionals, which was formed in the United States last year in a bid to get higher prize money for women, asked Mrs. Court to join, but she refused. Mrs. Court accomplished the Grand Slam - The Wimbledon, Australian, French and U.S. titles - last year. Sponsors of British tournaments are prepared to pay her good appearance money.
Julie Heldman of New York, spokesman for the professional group, told newsmen: "We are sorry Margaret does not want to join us. We do not hold any grudge against her, and it is silly to say we are not speaking to her. Margaret is an outstanding player, and naturally we would like her in the group."
Virginia Wade of Britain, who won the Italian title recently, and Australia's up-and-coming Evonne Goolagong have also declined to join. ... Most of the 21-strong group are competing in the Bio-Strath Tournament at London's Hurlingham Club this week and so is Mrs. Court.
"Few of the group members even speak to me now," the tall Australian said. "It is stupid and childish. A lot of bad feeling is creeping into the game. I have been told that I am not helping women's tennis by staying outside the group. They will never persuade me to join. I don't want to play the same players week after week. I am perfectly happy as an independent player and see no reason why I should change."

King in singles, [2] seed:

1R  d. Wendy Gilchrist Paish 6-1, 6-1
2R  lost to Nell Truman Robinson 6-4, 6-2

King in women's doubles with Rosemary Casals, [1] seed:

FN  d. [2]  Margaret Smith Court / Evonne Goolagong Cawley 6-1, 6-4

Week of May 17, 1971
West German International Championships
Rothenbaum Club
Hamburg
Clay

King in singles, [1] seed:

1R  bye
2R  d. Marie Neumannova Pinterova 6-3, 6-0
QF  d. Heidi Schildknecht Orth 6-1, 6-4
SF  d. [4]  Helga Schultze Hösl Thaw 3-6, 6-3, 6-2
FN  d. [2]  Helga Niessen Masthoff 6-3, 6-4

King in women's doubles with Rosemary Casals, [1] seed:

1R  bye
QF  d. Marie Neumannova Pinterova / Miloslava Holzibova 6-2, 6-3
SF  d. Esme Emanuel / Cecilia Martinez 6-0, 6-3
FN  d. [2]  Helga Niessen Masthoff / Heidi Schildknecht Orth 6-2, 6-1

Week of June 14, 1971
Rothman's Grass Court Championships
Queen's Club
London, United Kingdom
Indoor wood and outdoor grass

King in singles, [2] seed:

1R  bye
2R  d. Lita Liem Sugiarto 6-0, 6-4 (wood)
3R  d. Corinne Molesworth 6-3, 6-3
QF  d. Helen Gourlay Cawley 6-4, 6-3 (surface unknown)
SF  d. [4]  Virginia Wade 6-3, 9-8(2) (wood)
FN  lost to [1]  Margaret Smith Court (grass) 6-3, 3-6, 6-3

The singles final lasted 1 hour, 20 minutes.

"Mrs. King's form against the hard-hitting Miss Wade [in the semifinals] was all that her supporters could ask for.... The bespectacled American produced all the shots, and she had to for the often-temperamental Miss Wade was in a determined mood. The combination produced a match of high-quality with only one service break in the first set [(Wade's first service game of the match)] and none at all in the second...." Wade saved 3 break points from (0-40) in the first game of the second set. Wade theb won 12 consecutive points while serving in the third, fifth, and seventh games of that set. As King served at 7-8 in the second set, Wade had 2 set points but could not capitalize. Wade had a (2-1) lead in the second set tiebreaker before losing 6 consecutive points to end the match.

King in women's doubles with Rosemary Casals, [1] seed:

SF  d. Lesley Turner Bowrey / Lesley Hunt 6-3, 6-2
FN  d. [2]  Mary Ann Eisel Curtis Beattie / Valerie Ziegenfuss 6-2, 8-6

Weeks of June 21 & 28, 1971
Wimbledon
All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club
London, United Kingdom

Grass

King in singles, [2] seed:

1R  bye
2R  d. Wendy Gilchrist Paish 4-6, 6-1, 6-0
3R  d. Daniele Bouteleux 6-2, 6-0
4R  Centre Court: d. Christine Truman Janes 6-2, 7-5  Video
QF  Court 1: d. [7]  Françoise Durr 2-6, 6-2, 6-2
SF  Centre Court: lost to [3]  Evonne Goolagong Cawley 6-4, 6-4  Video

In the opening game of their 55-minute semifinal, Evonne Goolagong Cawley broke King's serve and then held her own service for a quick 2-0 lead. But King won 3 of the next 4 games to pull even at 3-3. King lost her serve again, and the Australian held her own serve twice to take the first set. With Goolagong Cawley serving at 1-2 in the second set, King had 2 break points. On the first, the server hit a volley that did not bounce. On the second, King hit a backhand down-the-line that went wide. The very next game, Goolagong Cawley hit some superb backhand returns of serve to break King for a 3-2 lead. In its recap of the match, The Guardian (London) said, "[T]hat was really the end of the match. Confidently, she held on to her lead, and whenever she was in danger, she would produce a winning service or backhand passing shot, which flashed to the line with so much pace and deadly efficiency that the American could do nothing to save herself." After the match, King complained about the inconsistent bounces, saying, "It was impossible to get grooved because I did not know what to expect. If you take a chance and go in, the ball can stand up and the other player can pass you easily. But the way I was playing, it wouldn't have mattered anyway. If I hit for the lines, the ball would either go out or right down the middle of the court. In my head, I was hitting for the lines, but it wasn't happening. I couldn't find my range."

After losing the first set of her quarterfinal with Françoise Durr, King abandoned her usual strategy of rushing to the net and played from the baseline.

King needed 50 minutes to defeat sentimental favorite Christine Truman Janes in the fourth round. King lead by a set and 4-2 in the second set before Truman Janes won 3 consecutive games to take a 5-4 lead. At that point, the English player twice had a set point that would have evened the match. But King prevailed.

King in women's doubles with Rosemary Casals, [1] seed:

1R  bye
2R  d. Veronica Burton / Jackie Fayter 6-1, 6-2
3R  d. Kristien Kemmer Shaw Ziska / Patricia Ann Reese 6-0, 6-3
QF  d. Lany Kaligis / Lita Liem Sugiarto 6-1, 6-3
SF  Centre Court: d. [4]  Françoise Durr / Gail Sherriff Chanfreau Lovera 4-6, 6-4, 6-4
FN  Centre Court: d. [2]  Margaret Smith Court / Evonne Goolagong Cawley 6-3, 6-2

King's trophy was sold at auction by Christi's in the early 2000s.

King in mixed doubles with Owen Davidson, [3] seed:

1R  bye
2R  d. Gail Hansen / Mark Elliott 6-3, 6-4
3R  d. Virginia Wade / Robert Howe 6-1, 6-1
4R  Centre Court: d. Patti Hogan Fordyce / Allan McDonald 6-4, 6-2
QF  d. Betty Stöve / Robert Maud 9-8, 9-7
SF  Centre Court: d. [2]  Rosemary Casals / Ilie Nastase 6-4, 6-1
FN  Centre Court: d. [1]  Margaret Smith Court / Marty Riessen 3-6, 6-2, 15-13 (45 games) (the 3rd highest number of games in a Wimbledon mixed doubles final, updated through 2018)

Only 4 of the 80 teams were seeded.

Week of July 12, 1971
Rothman's North of England Tennis Championships
Ashton Park, West Kirby
Hoylake, United Kingdom
Grass


King in singles, [3] seed:

1R  d. Jenny Helliar 6-4, 6-2
2R  d. Patricia Ann Reese 6-4, 6-2
QF d. [6]  Virginia Wade 13-11, 6-4
SF  d. [2]  Margaret Smith Court 6-2, 7-5
FN  d. [5]  Rosemary Casals 6-3, 6-3

"Billie Jean King, as usual, beat her doubles partner Rosie Casals [in an hour] ... to win the Rothmans Hoylake Open at West Kirby. Billie-Jean and Rosie are now so familiar with each other's games that the chances of getting a close match between them are slender." Another description of the final: "Billie Jean King ... won the ... title today ... in a match marred by weak play by both girls. Mrs King showed little of the style that has brought her three Wimbledon titles, struggling in a match she should have handled easily." King received 850 British pounds for winning the title.

In the semifinals, King spoiled Margaret Smith Court's 29th birthday and "can seldom have had an easier victory" over her great rival. King raced out to a 4-1, one-break lead in the first set and broke Smith Court again to win the set. The Australian temporarily improved her level of play to take a two-break 4-1 lead in the second set. But she double faulted twice to lose her serve in the sixth game, and in the eighth game, King broke her again, this time at love, to level the set at 4-4. Smith Court promptly recovered as she broke King for a 5-4 lead. King saved a set point at 4-5 (30-40) and then broke Smith Court to reach 5-5. King then held serve to take a 6-5 lead. In the next game, Smith Court saved two match points but failed to win any of her 3 game points. After 5 deuces, Smith Court finally double faulted to give King the victory on her third match point.

In the first set of the quarterfinal with Virginia Wade, King squandered a 5-1 lead and lost a set point at 10-9. King then saved a set point at 10-11.

In the first round, King lead Jenny Helliar 5-0 in the second set but needed 6 match points to win the match.

King in women's doubles with Rosemary Casals:

SF  d. Julie Heldman / Kristy Pigeon Crawford 6-3, 6-3
FN  Won the tournament by walkover. Margaret Smith Court / Evonne Goolagong Cawley defaulted because Margaret's mother died.

Week of July 19
, 1971
Austrian International Championships
TennisClub Kitzbuehel
Kitzbuehel, Austria
Clay

King in singles, [1] seed:

1R  d. Isabel Fernandez 6-3, 6-1
QF  d. Heidi Schildknecht Orth 6-4, 7-6
SF  d. [4]  Helga Schultze Hösl Thaw 7-6, 6-2
FN  d. Laura Rossouw 6-2, 4-6, 7-5


King in women's doubles with Rosemary Casals, [1] seed:


1R/QF  d. Fiona Bonicelli / Isabel Fernandez 6-4, 4-6, 6-1
SF  d. Helen Amos / Katja Ebbinghaus 6-1, 6-3
FN  d. [2]  Helga Niessen Masthoff / Heidi Schildknecht Orth 6-2, 6-4

Week of July 26
, 1971
Ford Capri Open
Virginia Slims National Pro Circuit
Lido Club
Venice, Italy
Clay


General Note:

This was the only Virginia Slims tournament held outside the United States in 1971.

King in singles, [
1] seed:

1R  bye
2R  d. Lita Liem Sugiarto 7-6(6), 6-4
QF  d. Lucia Bassi 6-3, 6-2
SF  lost to [4]  Helga Niessen Masthoff 2-6, 
6-4, 7-6(2)

In the semifinal with Helga Nissen Masthoff, King lost despite repeatedly holding winning leads. She led 4-2 in the second set and 4-1 and 6-5 in the third set.

King in women's doubles with Judy Tegart Dalton, [1] seed:

SF  d. Helga Niessen Masthoff / Heidi Schildknecht Orth 6-3, 6-2
FN  d. [2]  Françoise Durr / Gail Sherriff Chanfreau Lovera 3-6, 6-4, 6-4

Week of August 2
, 1971
Virginia Slims International
Hofheinz Pavilion
Houston, Texas, U. S.
Indoor (Sportface)

King in singles, [1] seed:

1R  d. Nell Truman Robinson 6-3, 6-3
QF  d. Mary Ann Eisel Curtis Beattie 7-6(2), 
6-2
SF  d. [4]  Nancy Richey 7-5, 6-1
FN  d. [7]  Kerry Melville Reid 6-4, 4-6, 6-1


King in women's doubles with Rosemary Casals:

1R  d. Wendy Overton / Jill Cooper 6-1, 6-2
SF  d. Lesley Hunt / Kristy Pigeon Crawford 6-2, 7-5
FN  d. Françoise Durr / Judy Tegart Dalton 6-3, 1-6, 6-2

On August 3, King lost an exhibition match to Jim Rombeau 9-8(5-1) at Hofheinz Pavilion. "Mrs. King won the opening game against Rombeau, a tennis teacher pro who won a tournament among several men players to determine who would play her. Rombeau recovered and broke Mrs. King's service in the third game. But he had trouble with his serve, too, and from the 6th through eleventh games neither could win his or her service. Rombeau finally won it on the sixth point of a nine-point tiebreaker. He collected $500 for his efforts despite serving 15 double faults." "Bille Jean's Game Sharp for Netfest,"
The Press-Courier, Oxnard, California, August 4, 1971, page 45. Years later, Rombeau won the USTA Grass Court Championships (45 and over) in 1999, the USTA Hard Court Championships (45 and over) in 1997, and the USTA Hard Court Championships (50 and over) in 1999. He also won a few seniors USTA national championships in doubles. He retired as the head pro at the Houston Country Club. Two years after the match, Rombeau said, "We hadn't seen each other in years. And as we were walking down the ramp to play, the first thing she said to me was, 'Oh, hi Jim. I haven't seen you since you were my ball boy.'" http://news.google.com/newspapers?id...+rombeau&hl=en

Week of August 9
, 1971
U. S. National Clay Court Championships
Woodstock Country Club
Indianapolis, Indiana, U. S.
Clay


King in singles, [1] seed:

1R  d. Tina Watanabe 6-1, 6-2
2R  d. Natalie Fuchs 6-1, 6-0
QF  d. [6]  Julie Heldman 6-3, 6-2
SF  d. [4]  Helen Gourlay Cawley 
6-0, 6-2
FN  d. [2]  Linda Tuero 6-4, 7-5

King won the U. S. national clay court championship for the first time. She needed only one service break to win the first set of the final with defending champion Linda Tuero. At 5-5 in the second set, King "slammed the door" on the match by breaking Tuero's service at love. After the match, King said, "I'm relieved. I played the way I had to play unless I wanted to stand out there for 15 hours and slug it out with her. Linda is tough, and I had to play aggressively against her." King's prize money for winning this title was US$5,000 (inflation-adjusted to US$32,700 in April 2021 dollars).

King won the first 10 games of her surprisingly lopsided semifinal with Helen Gourlay Cawley, who was the runner-up at this year's French Open.

King in women's doubles with Judy Tegart Dalton:

1R  d. Corinne Molesworth / Pam Austin 6-2, 6-3
QF  d. Farel Footman / Kathy Kraft 6-3, 6-0
SF  d. Christine Truman Janes / Nell Truman Robinson 6-2, 6-1
FN  d. Julie Heldman / Linda Tuero 6-1, 6-2

Week of August 16
, 1971
Virginia Slims Clay Court Championships
Lake Bluff Bath and Tennis Club
Lake Bluff, Illinois, U. S.
Clay


King in singles, [1] seed:

1R  d. Kerry Harris 6-1, 6-1
QF  d. Lesley Hunt 7-6(8), 6-2
SF  d. [4]  Nancy Richey 7-6(7), 7-6(2)
FN  lost to [3]  Françoise Durr 6-4, 6-2


In a "beautifully played" final before a capacity crowd of 2,500, 
Françoise Durr unleashed "uncannily accurate backhands and powerful ground strokes" to upset King. Durr broke King to take a 2-1 lead in the second set. King held serve to pull within 2-3, but Durr then reeled off the next 3 games to win the match.

King's singles semifinal with Nancy Richey was moved indoors because of rain at 6-6 in the first set. King recovered from a 5-2 deficit in the second set.

King in women's doubles with Rosemary Casals, [1] seed:

QF  d. Pam Teeguarden / Linda Tuero 6-7, 6-4, 6-2
SF  d. Nancy Richey / Lesley Hunt 6-2, 6-3
FN  lost to [2]  Françoise Durr / Judy Tegart Dalton 6-4, 7-6

Week of August 23
, 1971
Virginia Slims Grass Court Championships
Newport Casino, Newport & Agawam Hunt Club, East Providence, Rhode Island, U. S.
Grass (Newport Casino) and indoor wood (Agawam Hunt Club)

King in singles, [1] seed:

1R  d. Cecilia Martinez 6-1, 6-2 (grass)
2R  d. Jill Cooper 6-2, 6-7(3), 6-3 (grass)
QF  d. [8]  Christina Sandberg 6-3, 6-3 (indoor wood)
SF  lost to [4]  Kerry Melville Reid 6-4, 6-3 (grass)

     Third place: King finished in third place by walkover. Rosemary Casals defaulted because of an injured back

King in women's doubles with Rosemary Casals:

1R  d. Wendy Overton / Betty Ann Grubb Hansen Stuart Dent Grout 6-2, 3-6, 6-3
2R  d. Farel Footman / Edda Buding 6-1, 6-2
SF  lost to Kerry Melville Reid / Kerry Harris 7-6, 6-3

Weeks of August 30 & September 6, 1971
US Open

West Side Tennis Club
Forest Hills, Borough of Queens, New York City
Grass

King in singles, [1] seed:

1R  d. Jeanne Arth 6-0, 6-1
2R  d. Helen Gourlay Cawley 6-1, 6-2
3R  d. Linda Tuero 6-0, 6-2
QF  d. [NS]  Laura DuPont 6-3, 7-5
SF  d. [NS]  Chris Evert 6-3, 6-2



FN  d. [2]  Rosemary Casals 6-4, 7-6(5-2)  Video

King ended (the surprisingly unseeded) Chris Evert's 46-match and 12-tournament winning streaks in the semifinals. King "had too much experience and too great a variety of shots for the doll-like schoolgirl from Florida. Her most potent weapons were a deadly drop shot which she hit effectively eight times without a miss and a smashing overhead. Jut-jawed and determined, she attacked every shot and rushed to the net at every opportunity. It was there that she dominated the match." King won the last 4 games of the first set, losing only 6 points. "Mrs. King won the first game of the second set with a drop shot and the pattern was set. From that point on Billie Jean attacked so relentlessly that she wrecked the pattern of the young girl's game and Chris, who had been a symbol of poise and consistency throughout the tournament, started hitting wide and long of the lines." Source: "Billie Jean Ends Chris' Dream," Bangor Daily News, September 10, 1971.

Women's doubles:

King did not play. Rosemary Casals, her usual doubles partner, won the championship with Judy Tegart Dalton.

King in mixed doubles with Owen Davidson, [1] seed:

1R  bye
2R  d. Bunny Smith / 
Gardnar Mulloy 6-1, 6-4
3R  Advanced by walkover. Racquel Giscafre / Tito Vasquez defaulted.
QF  d. Jeanne Arth / Hamilton Richardson 6-1, 6-3
SF  d. [3]  Judy Tegart Dalton / Frew McMillan 6-3, 2-6, 6-2
FN  d. [NS]  Betty Stöve / Robert Maud 6-3, 7-5

Only 4 of the 47 teams were seeded.

Week of September 13
, 1971
Virginia Slims Invitational
Louisville Tennis Center
Louisville, Kentucky, U. S.
Clay

King in singles, [1] seed:

1R  d. Sally Holdsworth 6-0, 6-1
2R  d. Wendy Overton 6-4, 6-4
QF  d. Lita Liem Sugiarto 6-2, 6-3
SF  d. [4]  Kerry Melville Reid 6-4, 6-2
FN  d. [3]  Rosemary Casals 6-1, 4-6, 6-3

In the final played before an estimated 1,600 spectators, King rallied from 1-4 down in the second set to tie at 4-4. But King then hit 2 consecutive double faults to lose her serve. Rosemary Casals took advantage to level the match at one set apiece. King broke Casals in the third set to lead 3-1, with the last point being a double fault. King then ran out the match to win the US$4,400 first place prize money (inflation-adjusted to US$28,800 in April 2021 dollars).

After losing to King in the semifinals, Kerry Melville Reid said, "She was moving very well. I thought she was really on her game. She was fresh from her victory at Forest Hills, and she's full of confidence at the moment. I could have played better, but I made too many unforced errors. She pressures you - she was coming in on my backhand. She just volleys so well."

The first and second rounds were played on the same day. King needed 4 set points to win the first set of the second round match with Wendy Overton. King took a 3-0 lead in the second set only for Overton to win 4 consecutive games. King blamed the switch from grass to clay for her inconsistent play.

Women's doubles:

King did not enter this event.

Week of September 20
, 1971
Pepsi Pacific Southwest Open
Los Angeles Tennis Club
Los Angeles, California, U. S.
Hard

General Note:

I have counted King's retirement in the singles final as a loss.

King in singles, [1] seed:

1R  bye
2R  d. Nancy Ornstein 6-2, 6-2
3R  d. Betty Ann Grubb Hansen Stuart Dent Grout 6-1, 7-6
QF  d. [NS]  Wendy Overton 6-3, 6-3
SF  d. [3]  Kerry Melville Reid 6-2, 7-6
FN  double retirement by King and [2]  Rosemary Casals at 6-6(0-2) in the first set


The Pacific Southwest Open's low prize money for women in 1970 (12-1 in favor of the men) was the spark that started the Virginia Slims circuit. Jack Kramer had tried and failed to get all the women banned. This history came into play in the final, where King and Casals put up with numerous bad calls, from one lineswoman in particular. King demanded the lineswoman be removed. The umpire said she would do so when Jack Kramer (commentating on television up in the booth) sent her a note saying the lineswoman stayed. King picked up her racquets and walked off court. Rather than be declared the winner, Casals followed. The United States Tennis Association eventually fined King and Casals $2,500 each for the double default. This infamous episode remains the only double default in tennis history after both sides have taken the court. Casals and King got a lot of press - most of it bad - and this tournament was never again a major event for women.

King in women's doubles with Rosemary Casals, [1] seed:

QF  d. Betty Ann Grubb Hansen Stuart Dent Grout / Tam O'Shaughnessy 6-2, 6-1
SF  d. Helen Gourlay Cawley / Kerry Harris 6-3, 6-1
FN  d. [2]  Françoise Durr / Judy Tegart Dalton 6-3, 6-2

Week of September 27
, 1971
Virginia Slims Thunderbird Invitational
Phoenix, Arizona, U. S.
Hard


General Notes:

(1) This was King's 12th consecutive week of tournament play.

(2) The doubles draw beginning with the semifinals and the entire singles draw can be found here.

King in singles, [1] seed:

1R  d. Betty Ann Grubb Hansen Stuart Dent Grout 6-2, 6-2
2R  d. Lita Liem Sugiarto 6-0, 6-1
QF  d. [NS]  Wendy Overton 6-2, 6-1
SF  d. [4]  Kerry Melville Reid 6-4, 7-5
FN  d. [2]  Rosemary Casals 7-5, 6-1


King in women's doubles with Rosemary Casals:

1R  d. Vicky Berner / Mona Schallau Guerrant 6-2, 3-6, 6-1
QF  d. Nancy Richey / Lesley Hunt 4-6, 6-0, 
6-1
SF  d. Helen Gourlay Cawley / Kerry Harris 6-1, 6-2
FN  d. Françoise Durr / Judy Tegart Dalton 6-3, 6-2

King became the first woman to win US$100,000 in a year (inflation-adjusted to US$653,000 in April 2021 dollars). The crowd gave her a 10 minute ovation as King and Casals poured champagne on each other in celebration.
  

Week of October 23, 1971
British Covered Courts Championships
Wembley Arena
London, United Kingdom
Indoor

General Note:

The venue was cavernous Wembley Stadium. Crowds were nonexistent except the last two days.

King in singles, [2] seed:

PR  bye
1R  d. Shirley Bloomer Brasher 6-4, 6-1
QF  d. Patti Hogan Fordyce 6-3, 6-0
SF  d. [3]  Rosemary Casals 6-1, 6-2
FN  d. [4]  Françoise Durr 6-1, 5-7, 7-5

In the final, Françoise Durr trailed 6-1, 5-2 (40-0) before storming back. She even had a match point at 5-3 in the final set. King, "aggression personified," pounced on Durr's weak serve to save the match, with the air subsequently going out of Durr.

Women's doubles:

Event was held, but no results for King were found.

Week of November 29, 1971
Benson & Hedges International
Christchurch, New Zealand
Grass

King in singles, [1] seed:

1R  d. Cherry Armitage 6-0, 6-1
QF  d. Kristien Kemmer Shaw Ziska 6-1, 6-4
SF  d. [4]  Kerry Melville Reid 6-2, 6-4
FN  lost to [3]  Françoise Durr 6-3, 6-0

Françoise Durr played superbly from the baseline to upset King in the 38-minute final. Durr's "clever tactics" kept King away from the net, and King was not at her best.

King in women's doubles with Rosemary Casals:

3R/QF  d. Judy Langford / Susan Armstrong (score unknown)
SF  defeated or advanced by walkover vs. ____________
FN  d. Françoise Durr / Judy Tegart Dalton 6-3, 9-8(6)

Week of December 6, 1971
New Zealand Open
Auckland
Grass

King in singles, [1] seed:

1R  d. Patricia Hern 6-4, 6-2
QF  d. Kristien Kemmer Shaw Ziska 6-2, 6-4
SF  lost to [4]  Kerry Melville Reid 6-2, 5-7, retired (knee injury)

King in women's doubles with Rosemary Casals:

SF  d. Kerry Melville Reid / Lesley Hunt 6-3, 6-4
FN  d. Françoise Durr / Judy Tegart Dalton 7-6, 4-6, 7-5 (35 games)

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