1977 Italian Open (tennis)

The 1977 Italian Open was a combined men's and women's tennis tournament that was played by men on outdoor clay courts at the Foro Italico in Rome, Italy. The men's tournament was part of the Colgate-Palmolive Grand Prix circuit while the women's tournament was part of the Colgate Series. The tournament was held from 16 May through 22 May 1977. The singles titles were won by eight-seeded Vitas Gerulaitis and fifth-seeded Janet Newberry who earned $21,000 and $6,000 first-prize money respectively. Gerulaitis competed despite being contracted to play for the Indiana Loves World Team Tennis (WTT) franchise and was fined $19,000 for failing to play Björn Borg in the weekend of the final.^[3][4][5]

1977 Italian Open
Date	16–22 May
Edition	34th
Prize money	$125,000 (M) $35,000 (W)
Surface	Clay / outdoor
Location	Rome, Italy
Venue	Foro Italico
Champions
Men's singles
Vitas Gerulaitis[1]
Women's singles
Janet Newberry
Men's doubles
Brian Gottfried / Raúl Ramírez[2]
Women's doubles
Brigitte Cuypers / Marise Kruger

Finals

Men's singles

Main article: 1977 Italian Open – Men's singles

Vitas Gerulaitis defeated Antonio Zugarelli 6–2, 7–6^(7–2), 3–6, 7–6^(7–5)

• It was Gerulaitis' 2nd singles title of the year and the 5th of his career.

Women's singles

Janet Newberry defeated Renáta Tomanová 6–3, 7–6^(7–5)

• It was Newberry's only singles title of the year and the 2nd and last of her career.

Men's doubles

Brian Gottfried / Raúl Ramírez defeated Fred McNair / Sherwood Stewart 6–7, 7–6, 7–5

Women's doubles

Brigitte Cuypers / Marise Kruger defeated Bunny Bruning / Sharon Walsh 3–6, 7–5, 6–2