Tennis is a truly global sport, with a meticulously structured professional circuit that spans continents, surfaces, and skill levels. From the hallowed grass courts of Wimbledon to the electric hard courts of the US Open and the red clay of Roland Garros, the game thrives across diverse settings. Whether you are a new fan trying to understand the tennis calendar, an aspiring player mapping out a career path, or a bettor analysing match odds, knowing the list of tennis tournaments is essential.
The sport is governed by multiple bodies, including the ATP (men), WTA (women), ITF (junior and entry-level), and the IOC (Olympics). Each organises events that contribute to rankings, legacy, and prize purses. Below, we break down every major category: Grand Slams, ATP and WTA tours, historic grass-court events, development circuits, and discontinued tournaments. Our overview is based on official data from the ATP, WTA, and Wikipedia to give you a complete and accurate picture of the tennis landscape in 2025.
What Are the Major Tennis Tournaments? (Grand Slams)

When fans refer to the list of major tennis tournaments, they are almost always talking about the four Grand Slams, which represent the pinnacle of the sport. These tournaments offer the highest ranking points (2,000 for the winner), the largest prize pools, and global media attention.
- Australian Open – Held in January in Melbourne, Australia, on blue hard courts. Established in 1905, it kicks off the tennis season.
- French Open (Roland Garros) – Takes place in May–June in Paris, France, on red clay. First held in 1891, it is the ultimate test of endurance and topspin.
- Wimbledon – The oldest and most traditional Slam, played in June–July in London, UK, on grass courts since 1877.
- US Open – Concludes the Slam season in August–September in New York City on blue hard courts, dating back to 1881.
In addition to these, the Olympic Tennis Event (held every four years) and the season-ending ATP Finals (Turin, $5.7 million prize pool) and WTA Finals (Guadalajara, $5 million) are considered elite, though not Grand Slams. Together, they form the pinnacle of professional tennis achievement.
ATP Tour Tournaments (Men’s Professional Circuit)
The ATP Tour forms the backbone of men’s professional tennis, offering a structured pathway from regional events to elite showdowns. The list of all tennis tournaments on the men’s side is organised by the ATP into three main tiers:
- ATP Masters 1000: Nine mandatory events, including Indian Wells, Miami Open, Madrid, Rome, and Shanghai. These offer 1,000 ranking points to winners and feature nearly all top-20 players.
- ATP 500: Around 13 tournaments like Dubai, Barcelona Open, Queen’s Club, and Tokyo. Winners earn 500 points.
- ATP 250: Over 40 events annually across six continents, from Adelaide and Buenos Aires to Metz and Chengdu, offering 250 points.
These tournaments are played on hard, clay, and grass surfaces, with the ATP Tour spanning 11 months. For real-time schedules and draws, visit the official ATP Tour tournaments page.
Read More: Tennis Court Dimensions
WTA Tour Tournaments (Women’s Professional Circuit)
The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) organises a global circuit that mirrors the ATP’s tiered structure, offering players clear pathways from entry-level events to elite championships. These tournaments provide crucial ranking points, prize money, and visibility, with the season culminating in the prestigious WTA Finals. The official list of all tennis tournaments on the women’s tour includes:
- WTA 1000: Includes Indian Wells, Miami, Madrid, Beijing, and Cincinnati, each with $2–4.5 million in prize money.
- WTA 500: Events like Stuttgart, Eastbourne, San Diego, and Tokyo Pan Pacific Open.
- WTA 250: Entry-level tour stops such as Hobart, Bogotá, Palermo, and Guangzhou.
The WTA Finals cap the season, featuring the top eight singles players. Like the ATP, the WTA calendar runs year-round, with tournaments strategically placed to build toward the Grand Slams.
Lawn Tennis Tournaments: History & Modern Grass-Court Events

The term “lawn tennis” originates from the sport’s 19th-century roots, when matches were played on actual grass lawns. Today, the list of lawn tennis tournaments is short but storied:
- Wimbledon remains the only Grand Slam on grass and the spiritual home of lawn tennis.
- Other key grass events include:
- Queen’s Club Championships (London)
- Halle Open (Germany)
- Eastbourne International (UK)
- Stuttgart Open (Germany, switched to grass in 2015)
- Mallorca Open (Spain)
- Rosmalen Open (’s-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands)
The grass-court season lasts just five weeks (mid-June to early July), making it the shortest and most intense swing of the tennis year.
Development & Entry-Level Circuits
Many fans search for a list of futures tennis tournaments, though the term is now outdated. Since 2019, the ITF rebranded its entry-level pro circuit as the ITF World Tennis Tour, which includes:
- ITF Men’s & Women’s World Tennis Tour: Events with $15K–$100K prize money. This is where future stars like Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Świątek began.
- ATP Challenger Tour: The step between ITF and ATP Tour, featuring 175+ events annually, such as Los Cabos, Ostrava, and Båstad. Winners earn ATP ranking points and often qualify for Grand Slams.
While “Futures” no longer exists as a formal category, the phrase remains popular in search queries, so it is worth noting for SEO and clarity.
Team & Exhibition Events
Beyond individual competition, tennis features high-profile team and exhibition events:
- Team Competitions:
- Davis Cup (men)
- Billie Jean King Cup (women)
- Laver Cup (Europe vs. World)
- United Cup (mixed teams, launched in 2023)
- Exhibition Matches (non-ranking but star-studded):
- Kooyong Classic (Australia, pre-Australian Open warm-up)
- World Tennis Championship (Abu Dhabi, featuring Novak Djokovic and Venus Williams)
- 6 Kings Slam (2024, Riyadh, $6 million prize pool, won by Jannik Sinner)
These events prioritise entertainment and legacy over rankings but draw massive audiences.
Defunct & Historic Tournaments
Over the decades, professional tennis has evolved significantly, not just in rules and equipment, but also in its tournament landscape. Many events that once drew top players and global audiences have since been discontinued due to changes in scheduling, sponsorship, or the sport’s strategic direction. These defunct tournaments remain important chapters in tennis history, often showcasing legendary rivalries and breakthrough moments. Notable examples from the Wikipedia list include:
- ECC Antwerp (1982–1998)
- U.S. Pro Indoor (1968–1998)
- Copenhagen Open (1973–2003)
- Volvo International (1973–1998)
These events were once ATP mainstays and offer fascinating context for historians and trivia buffs.
How to Follow the Tennis Calendar in 2025
For the most accurate and up-to-date annual tennis tournament calendar 2025, consult these trusted sources:
- ATP Tour Schedule – Official men’s tour dates, draws, and results.
- ESPN Tennis Schedule – Broadcast times and match previews.
Bookmark these for live scores, player entries, and TV coverage. Below is a simplified overview of the annual tennis season, highlighting key tournaments by period and surface to help fans and players navigate the global circuit.
Annual Tennis Tournament Calendar (Quick List)
The tennis season follows a structured rhythm, shifting across surfaces and continents throughout the year. This quick-reference guide outlines the major tournament windows and surface transitions for the 2025 season.
Period | Key Tournaments | Surface |
January | Australian Open, Adelaide International, Auckland Open, Brisbane International | Hard |
February–April | Dubai Tennis Championships, Rio Open, Barcelona Open, Indian Wells, Miami Open | Hard / Clay |
May–June | Madrid Open, Italian Open, French Open, Stuttgart Open, Queen’s Club, Halle Open | Clay → Grass |
July | Wimbledon, Eastbourne International, Hamburg European Open, Båstad, Gstaad | Grass / Clay |
August–September | Canadian Open, Cincinnati Masters, US Open, Chengdu Open, Hangzhou Open | Hard |
October–November | China Open, Japan Open, Shanghai Masters, ATP Finals (Turin), WTA Finals (Guadalajara) | Hard |
December | Off-season / Exhibitions (e.g., World Tennis Championship, Kooyong Classic) | Hard |
Note: Exact dates and locations may vary slightly year to year. Always check official sources for the latest 2025 schedule.
How Tournaments Differ (Format, Surfaces, Points)
Not all tournaments are equal. Key differences include:
- Surfaces: Grass (fast), clay (slow), hard (medium), each favouring different playing styles.
- Ranking Points: Grand Slams (2,000) > ATP/WTA Finals (1,500) > Masters 1000/WTA 1000 (1,000) > Challengers (50–125).
- Prize Money: Ranges from $6 million (ATP Finals) to $15,000 (ITF entry events).
- Player Commitment: Top players must play four Masters 1000 events plus all Slams; lower-ranked players rely on Challengers and ITF events.
Understanding these nuances helps fans appreciate the sport’s depth and strategy.
Conclusion
From the hallowed lawns of Wimbledon to the bustling courts of the ITF World Tennis Tour, the list of tennis tournaments reflects the sport’s global reach and layered ecosystem. Whether you are tracking Novak Djokovic’s quest for records or watching a future star in a $25K event in Tunisia, every tournament matters.
This guide, covering Grand Slams, ATP/WTA tours, grass events, and historic competitions, serves fans, players, coaches, and analysts alike. Bookmark this page and check back yearly for updates to the ever-evolving tennis calendar.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Over 250 professional tournaments annually across ATP, WTA, and ITF circuits.
There are four Grand Slams: the Australian Open, the French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open. The Olympics are sometimes called a “fifth Slam” but are not officially one.
Jannik Sinner won the inaugural 6 Kings Slam in Riyadh (2024), a $6 million exhibition event.
Only a few have won all 4 Grand Slams in a year. Don Budge (1938), Rod Laver (1962, 1969), Maureen Connolly (1953), Margaret Court (1970), and Steffi Graf (1988, Golden Slam including Olympics).
The US Open typically leads, with a total purse of over $65 million in 2024.
Approximately 60 ATP, 55 WTA, 175+ Challenger, and 500+ ITF events, totalling over 800 professional tournaments.
– Australian Open (Jan)
– Clay season (Feb–Jun), French Open (May–Jun)
– Grass season (Jun–Jul), Wimbledon (Jul)
– Hard-court summer, US Open (Aug–Sep)
– Asian swing, ATP/WTA Finals (Nov)
– December features exhibitions and off-season training.
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