This year 's Bank of the West Classic in Stanford , California celebrates its 40th year . It is the oldest tournament on the WTA Tour and formed the first event in the WTA Tour calendar . The tournament became the Virginia Slims of California in 1974 and its venue moved around the San Francisco area before settling at the Oakland Coliseum between 1979 and 1996 . American legend Billie Jean King win the first tournament , beating Rosie Casals in the final . Four former champions , each from a different decade , will be paraded to the crowd .
This year 's Bank of the West Classic in Stanford , California celebrates its 40th year . It is the oldest tournament on the WTA Tour and formed the first event in the WTA Tour calendar . American legend Billie Jean King win the first tournament , beating Rosie Casals in the final . Four former champions , each from a different decade , will be paraded to the crowd .