Rosie Casals (1973)
                                  
Cup History: Rosie has the distinction of being the tournament’s first winner, and her winner’s check of $30,000 was the biggest single check won by any woman professional tennis player in 1973. Her match against Nancy Richey in the final was the first women’s tennis match seen on the NBC network.

Career Overview: Won the first-ever Virginia Slims Series tournament, played in Houston, September 23-26, 1970. When she won the doubles title at Virginia Slims of California with Martina Navratilova in 1988,she became the second-oldest player ever to win a pro event at 39 years, 5 months. Started on the international tour during her senior year of high school in 1966, before turning professional in 1981. Casals had USTA ranking among the Top 5 for 11 years. Ranked 10 times at No. 1 on U.S. doubles list, eight times with partner Billie Jean King.