There are four major tennis tournaments held every year, collectively titled the “Grand Slam Tournaments.” These four are by far the most prestigious tennis tournaments, and they have a significant impact on the ranking of the players.
Wimbledon is the oldest and most popular professional tennis tournament. Originating in England, it started in 1877, with early events taking place on the grounds of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. Wimbledon was initially a tournament for men. The women’s Wimbledon tournament began in 1884.
Wimbledon is the only major tennis tournament that continues to play on the traditional tennis platform of grass instead of more modern surfaces. The tournament begins in late June and lasts two weeks. During this time, 128 tennis players (104 through ranking, 16 qualifiers, and eight wildcard nominees) come together to play the main draw in each event. The gentleman's singles and doubles are the best of five sets, while all other events are the best of three sets. The current prize money for winners of the singles events is about $2.2 million.
The United States Open Tennis Championship, typically referred to as the US Open, was established in 1881. The US Open begins in late August and lasts for two weeks. It is held on the grounds of the US Tennis Association Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York. The tournament consists of five categories: men’s singles and doubles, women’s singles and doubles, and mixed doubles. Out of the four grand slam events, the US Open was the only one with a tie-break for the fifth set until recently, when it adopted the 10-point tie break. Similar to Wimbledon, 128 players compete in the main draw. The total prize money for the US Open is $57 million, with the singles winners taking home $2.5 million.
The Australian Open is another major tennis tournament. It started in 1905, with the first event at Warehouseman's Cricket Ground in Melbourne. The Australian Open is held in January at the National Tennis Centre at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, making it the first of the Grand Slams played each year. The event consists of men’s singles, women’s singles, mixed doubles, wheelchair, and legends. The courts feature a blue hard acrylic surface. Like the other Grand Slams, 128 athletes play in the main draw. The prize money for the singles winners of the Australian Open currently stands at around $2.87 million.
Finally, the French Open, also called Roland Garros, is a major tennis tournament founded in 1891. It is the second of the Grand Slams contested each year, and is held from late May to early June. The organizers host the French Open in Stade Roland-Garros in Paris, and the courts are made of clay. The clay surface tends to slow down the speed of the tennis balls while increasing their bounce. The clay is particularly demanding for the athletes, making it one of the most difficult Grand Slams. The winning prize money for the singles championships in the French Open is an estimated $2.9 million.
