Virginia Ruzici

Virginia Ruzici (born 31 January 1955) is a former professional tennis player from Romania. She won the 1978 French Open singles championship.

Virginia Ruzici
Virginia Ruzici at the 1981 Summer Universiade
Country (sports) Romania
Born (1955-01-31) 31 January 1955
Câmpia Turzii, Romania
Height1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)
Turned pro1975
Retired1987
PlaysRight-handed (one-handed backhand)
Prize moneyUS$1,183,728
Singles
Career record377–221
Career titles12
Highest rankingNo. 8 (21 May 1979)
Grand Slam Singles results
Australian OpenQF (1980)
French OpenW (1978)
WimbledonQF (1978, 1981)
US OpenQF (1976, 1978)
Doubles
Career record284–181
Career titles16
Grand Slam Doubles results
Australian Open2R (1980)
French OpenW (1978)
WimbledonF (1978)
US OpenSF (1976)
Grand Slam Mixed Doubles results
French OpenF (1978, 1979)
Wimbledon3R (1979)
US OpenQF (1981)

Career

Ruzici became a professional tennis player in 1975. One of her main assets on court was her powerful forehand. In a career spanning 12 years, Ruzici won 12 career singles titles, including one Grand Slam title, the 1978 French Open. In the final, she beat 1977 French Open champion Mima Jaušovec 6–2, 6–2. Ruzici also won the French Open doubles event with Jaušovec in 1978 and reached the mixed doubles final in 1978 that same year. She appeared in the French Open singles final again in 1980, but lost in straight sets to Chris Evert.[1]

Ruzici remained in the world's top 20 from 1977 to 1983.[2] She regularly featured in the Romania Fed Cup team throughout her career, and began playing for them in 1973, two years before turning professional.

At Wimbledon 1978, Ruzici lost a notable match in the quarterfinal to the Australian Evonne Goolagong Cawley who was playing with an injured ankle. Goolagong's injury led to her collapsing on court and her husband, Roger Cawley, came on to the court to aid his wife, technically defaulting the Australian from the match. When Goolagong recovered, Ruzici agreed to continue the match, but lost 7–5, 6–3 and was praised for her sportsmanship.[3] It has been stated during TV commentaries that Ruzici's victory in 1980 at a tournament in Salt Lake City was watched by Richard Williams who was inspired by her triumph and prize money to teach his daughters Venus and Serena Williams to play tennis.[4][5][6]

Ruzici is now the manager of Romanian tennis player Simona Halep.[7]

Grand Slam finals

Singles (1 title, 1 runner–up)
Outcome Year Championship Surface Opponent Score
Winner1978French OpenClay Mima Jaušovec6–2, 6–2
Runner-up1980French OpenClay Chris Evert0–6, 3–6

Women's doubles (1 title, 1 runner–up)
Outcome Year Championship Surface Partner Opponents Score
Winner1978French OpenClay Mima Jaušovec Gail Sherriff Lovera
Lesley Turner Bowrey		6–4, 6–3
Runner-up1978WimbledonGrass Mima Jaušovec Kerry Melville Reid
Wendy Turnbull		6–4, 8–9(8–10), 3–6

Mixed doubles (2 runners-up)
Outcome Year Championship Surface Partner Opponents Score
Runner-up1978French OpenClay Patrice Dominguez Renáta Tomanová
Pavel Složil		6–4, 6–7 ret.
Runner-up1979French OpenClay Ion Ţiriac Wendy Turnbull
Bob Hewitt		3–6, 6–2, 3–6

WTA career finals

Singles: 27 (12–15)
Winner — Legend
Grand Slam tournaments (1–1)
WTA Tour Championships (0–0)
Virginia Slims, Avon, Other (11–14)
Titles by surface
Hard (1–2)
Grass (0–1)
Clay (9–10)
Carpet (2–2)
Outcome No. Date Tournament Surface Opponent Score
Winner 1. 18 August 1975 South Orange Clay Mariana Simionescu 6–1, 6–1
Runner-up 1. 12 July 1976 Kitzbühel Clay Wendy Turnbull 4–6, 7–5, 3–6
Runner-up 2. 18 October 1976 Barcelona Clay Renáta Tomanová 6–3, 4–6, 2–6
Winner 2. 26 September 1977 Palm Harbor Clay Laura duPont 6–4, 4–6, 6–2
Runner-up 3. 15 May 1978 Hamburg Clay Mima Jaušovec 2–6, 3–6
Runner-up 4. 22 May 1978 Rome Clay Regina Maršíková 5–7, 5–7
Winner 3. 29 May 1978 French Open Clay Mima Jaušovec 6–2, 6–2
Winner 4. 24 July 1978 Kitzbühel Clay Sylvia Hanika 6–4, 6–3
Runner-up 5. 14 August 1978 Toronto Hard Regina Maršíková 5–7, 7–6, 2–6
Winner 5. 16 October 1978 Brighton Carpet (i) Betty Stöve 5–7, 6–2, 7–5
Runner-up 6. 19 February 1979 Detroit Carpet (i) Wendy Turnbull 5–7, 6–1, 6–7(4–7)
Runner-up 7. 10 December 1979 Adelaide Grass Hana Mandlíková 5–7, 2–2 ret.
Runner-up 8. 5 May 1980 Rome Clay Chris Evert 7–5, 2–6, 2–6
Runner-up 9. 26 May 1980 French Open Clay Chris Evert 0–6, 3–6
Winner 6. 21 July 1980 Kitzbühel Clay Hana Mandlíková 3–6, 6–1 ret.
Runner-up 10. 11 August 1980 Toronto Hard Chris Evert 3–6, 1–6
Winner 7. 8 September 1980 Salt Lake City Hard Ivanna Madruga 6–1, 6–3
Runner-up 11. 10 November 1980 Amsterdam Carpet (i) Hana Mandlíková 7–5, 2–6, 5–7
Runner-up 12. 4 May 1981 Perugia Clay Chris Evert 1–6, 2–6
Runner-up 13. 11 May 1981 Lugano Clay Chris Evert 1–6, 1–6
Runner-up 14. 3 August 1981 Indianapolis Clay Andrea Jaeger 1–6, 0–6
Winner 8. 12 July 1982 Monte Carlo Clay Bonnie Gadusek 6–2, 7–6
Winner 9. 19 July 1982 Kitzbühel Clay Lea Plchová 6–2, 6–2
Winner 10. 2 August 1982 Indianapolis Clay Helena Suková 6–2, 6–0
Winner 11. 3 October 1983 Detroit Carpet (i) Kathy Jordan 4–6, 6–4, 6–2
Runner-up 15. 1 April 1985 Seabrook Island Clay Katerina Maleeva 3–6, 3–6
Winner 12. 15 July 1985 Bregenz Clay Mima Jaušovec 6–2, 6–3

Doubles: 35 (16–19)
Winner — Legend
Grand Slam tournaments (1–1)
WTA Tour Championships (0–0)
Virginia Slims, Avon, Other (15–18)
Titles by surface
Hard (2–1)
Grass (1–1)
Clay (10–11)
Carpet (3–6)
Outcome No. Date Tournament Surface Partner Opponents Score
Runner-up 1. 11 November 1973 London Carpet (i) Mariana Simionescu Lesley Charles
Glynis Coles		 3–6, 5–7
Winner 1. 4 November 1974 Edinburgh Carpet (i) Mima Jaušovec María-Isabel Fernández
Raquel Giscafré		 6–4, 4–6, 6–4
Runner-up 2. 8 March 1976 Tallahassee Clay Mariana Simionescu Julie Anthony
Dianne Fromholtz		 2–6, 5–7
Runner-up 3. 23 May 1976 Rome Clay Mariana Simionescu Linky Boshoff
Ilana Kloss		 1–6, 2–6
Winner 2. 18 October 1976 Barcelona Clay Florența Mihai Nathalie Fuchs
Michele Gurdal		 6–2, 6–4
Runner-up 4. 24 January 1977 Minneapolis Carpet (i) Mima Jaušovec Rosie Casals
Martina Navratilova		 2–6, 1–6
Winner 3. 15 May 1978 Hamburg Clay Mima Jaušovec Katja Ebbinghaus
Helga Niessen Masthoff		 6–4, 5–7, 6–0
Winner 4. 22 May 1978 Rome Clay Mima Jaušovec Florența Mihai
Betsy Nagelsen		 6–2, 2–6, 7–6
Winner 5. 29 May 1978 French Open Clay Mima Jaušovec Gail Sherriff Lovera
Lesley Turner Bowrey		 5–7, 6–4, 8–6
Runner-up 5. 26 June 1978 Wimbledon Grass Mima Jaušovec Kerry Melville Reid
Wendy Turnbull		 6–4, 8–9(8–10), 3–6
Winner 6. 24 July 1978 Kitzbühel Clay Renáta Tomanová Regina Maršíková
Florența Mihai		 7–5, 6–2
Runner-up 6. 23 October 1978 Filderstadt Carpet (i) Mima Jaušovec Tracy Austin
Betty Stöve		 3–6, 3–6
Winner 7. 1 January 1979 Washington, D.C. Carpet (i) Mima Jaušovec Renée Richards
Sharon Walsh		 4–6, 6–2, 6–4
Runner-up 7. 18 July 1979 Kitzbühel Clay Elly Appel-Vessies Helena Anliot
Diane Evers		 0–6, 4–6
Winner 8. 22 October 1979 Tampa Hard Anne Smith Ilana Kloss
Betty Ann Stuart		 7–5, 4–6, 7–5
Winner 9. 10 December 1979 Adelaide Grass Hana Mandlíková Sue Barker
Pam Shriver		 6–1, 3–6, 6–2
Runner-up 8. 4 August 1980 Indianapolis Clay Renáta Tomanová Anne Smith
Paula Smith		 4–6, 6–3, 4–6
Winner 10. 8 September 1980 Salt Lake City Hard Pam Teeguarden Barbara Jordan
JoAnne Russell		 6–4, 7–5
Winner 11. 27 October 1980 Stockholm Carpet (i) Mima Jaušovec Hana Mandlíková
Betty Stöve		 6–2, 6–1
Runner-up 9. 16 March 1981 Boston Carpet (i) JoAnne Russell Barbara Potter
Sharon Walsh		 7–6, 4–6, 3–6
Runner-up 10. 4 May 1981 Perugia Clay Chris Evert Candy Reynolds
Paula Smith		 5–7, 1–6
Winner 12. 3 August 1981 Indianapolis Clay JoAnne Russell Sue Barker
Paula Smith		 6–2, 6–2
Runner-up 11. 5 April 1982 Hilton Head Island Clay JoAnne Russell Martina Navratilova
Pam Shriver		 1–6, 2–6
Runner-up 12. 10 May 1982 Lugano Clay JoAnne Russell Candy Reynolds
Paula Smith		 2–6, 4–6
Winner 13. 12 July 1982 Monte Carlo Clay Catherine Tanvier Patricia Medrado
Cláudia Monteiro		 7–6, 6–2
Runner-up 13. 2 August 1982 Indianapolis Clay JoAnne Russell Ivanna Madruga
Catherine Tanvier		 5–7, 6–7(3–7)
Runner-up 14. 6 December 1982 Richmond Carpet (i) JoAnne Russell Rosie Casals
Candy Reynolds		 3–6, 3–6
Runner-up 15. 11 April 1983 Amelia Island Clay Hana Mandlíková Rosalyn Fairbank
Candy Reynolds		 4–6, 2–6
Winner 14. 2 May 1983 Perugia Clay Virginia Wade Ivana Madruga
Catherine Tanvier		 6–3, 2–6, 6–1
Winner 15. 1 August 1983 Indianapolis Clay Kathy Horvath Gigi Fernández
Beth Herr		 4–6, 7–6(8–6), 6–2
Runner-up 16. 8 August 1983 Los Angeles Hard Betsy Nagelsen Martina Navratilova
Pam Shriver		 1–6, 0–6
Runner-up 17. 24 October 1983 Filderstadt Carpet (i) Catherine Tanvier Martina Navratilova
Candy Reynolds		 2–6, 1–6
Runner-up 18. 14 May 1984 Berlin Clay Kathy Horvath Anne Hobbs
Candy Reynolds		 3–6, 6–4, 6–7(11–13)
Runner-up 19. 21 May 1984 Perugia Clay Kathy Horvath Iva Budařová
Helena Suková		 6–7(5–7), 6–1, 4–6
Winner 16. 15 July 1985 Bregenz Clay Mima Jaušovec Andrea Holíková
Kateřina Skronská		 6–2, 6–3

Grand Slam singles tournament timeline
Key
W  F  SF QF #R RR Q# A NH
(W) Won; (F) finalist; (SF) semifinalist; (QF) quarterfinalist; (#R) rounds 4, 3, 2, 1; (RR) round-robin stage; (Q#) qualification round; (A) absent; (NH) not held. SR=strike rate (events won/competed)
Tournament197319741975197619771978197919801981198219831984198519861987Career SR
Australian Open A A A A A A A 1R QF 1R A A A A NH A 0 / 3
French Open 1R 2R 2R SF A W QF F QF QF 3R 4R 1R A 2R 1 / 13
Wimbledon 2R 2R 1R 1R 2R QF 4R 2R QF 4R 4R 2R 2R A A 0 / 13
US Open A 1R 1R QF 4R QF A 4R 3R 4R 1R 3R 1R A A 0 / 11
SR 0 / 2 0 / 3 0 / 3 0 / 3 0 / 2 1 / 3 0 / 3 0 / 4 0 / 4 0 / 3 0 / 3 0 / 3 0 / 3 0 / 0 0 / 1 1 / 40
Year-end ranking 112 26 16 12 13 11 12 11 18 44 41 NR 143

Note: The Australian Open was held twice in 1977, in January and December.

See also

References
  1. Tignor, Steve (25 May 2017). "Who's the greatest clay-courter of them all—Chris Evert or Rafa Nadal?". Tennis.com. Retrieved 5 June 2018.
  2. Career highlights Retrieved 12 March 2008
  3. Home! The Evonne Goolagong Story. Simon & Schuster Ltd (June 1995) ISBN 978-0-7318-0381-1
  4. Venus and Serena Williams: A Biography. Greenwood (30 July 2005) ISBN 978-0-313-33165-7
  5. John Roberts (13 September 1999). "Serena's grand entrance heralds Williams era". The Independent. Retrieved 24 August 2009.
  6. Robin Finn (27 October 1994). "TENNIS; Last of the 14-Year-Olds Will Take a First Step". The New York Times. Retrieved 11 November 2009.
  7. "40 Love Icons: Virginia Ruzici". www.wtatennis.com. Women's Tennis Association (WTA). 4 November 2013. Archived from the original on 23 October 2015. Retrieved 27 September 2015.
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