1981 Avon Championships of Detroit
| 1981 Avon Championships of Detroit | |
|---|---|
| Date | February 2–8 |
| Edition | 10th |
| Category | Virginia Slims circuit |
| Draw | 32S / 16D |
| Prize money | $125,000 |
| Surface | Carpet (Sporteze) / indoor |
| Location | Detroit, USA |
| Venue | Cobo Hall & Arena |
| Champions | |
| Singles | |
 Leslie Allen | |
| Doubles | |
Rosemary Casals /  Wendy Turnbull | |
The 1981 Avon Championships of Detroit was a women's tennis tournament played on indoor carpet courts at the Cobo Hall & Arena in Detroit, Michigan in the United States that was part of the 1981 Avon Championships circuit. It was the tenth edition of the tournament and was held from February 2 through February 8, 1981.[1] Unseeded Leslie Allen won the singles title[a] and earned $24,000 first-prize money.[4]
Finals
Singles
Leslie Allen defeated 
Hana Mandlíková 6–4, 6–4
- It was Allen's only singles title of her career.
Doubles
Rosemary Casals / Wendy Turnbull defeated Hana Mandlíková / 
Betty Stöve 6–4, 6–2
Prize money
| Event | W | F | 3rd | 4th | QF | Round of 16 | Round of 32 |
| Singles [1] | $24,000 | $12,000 | $6,500 | $6,200 | $3,000 | $1,600 | $900 |
|---|
Notes
- ^ Allen became the first African American woman to win a significant pro tennis tournament since Althea Gibson in 1958, although Renee Blount is also credited with this feat as she won the Futures of Columbus in 1979.[2][3]
References
- ^ a b John Dolan (2011). Women's Tennis 1968–84: the Ultimate Guide. Remous. pp. 393, 395–396.
- ^ Djata, Sundiata A. (2006). Blacks at the net: Black achievement in the history of tennis. Vol. 1. Reed Business Information. ISBN 9780815608189.
- ^ Barry Lorge (March 29, 1981). "Designs on Success". The Washington Times.
- ^ John Barrett, ed. (1982). Slazengers World of Tennis 1982 : The Official Yearbook of the International Tennis Federation (14th ed.). London: Queen Anne Press. pp. 188–189. ISBN 9780356085968.