The Grand Slam tournaments are the four most important and well-known events in the professional Tennis season. Also referred to as majors, they represent the absolute pinnacle of the sport, offering the most prize money, ranking points, and recognition, while commanding the most respect.
To reach a Grand Slam tournament is among the greatest achievements any Tennis player could hope to achieve, surmounted only by performing well at the events, winning an event, or by securing a “Grand Slam”, wherein an individual wins all four major championships in a single season.
The Grand Slam tournaments are organised and managed by the International Tennis Federation (ITF), as opposed to the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP), which govern men’s professional tennis, and the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), the principal organisation for women’s professional Tennis. However, it is important to note that both the ATP and WTA award ranking points to players through their performances in the externally governed Grand Slam events.
There are four Grand Slam tournaments which run throughout the twelve-month Tennis season, lasting nine months, beginning in early January with the Australian Open, and ending early September with the US Open. In order, it goes; Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open. Each of these courts offer there own unique contribution, such as culture, court types, weather, and more.
What is a “Grand Slam”
The term “Grand Slam”, alternately known as a “Career Grand Slam” refers to the remarkable and admirable achievement of winning all four major championships (Grand Slam tournaments) within a singular calendar year. Achieving a Grand Slam is so incredibly rare, that only fifteen total individuals in non-wheelchair disciplines (including junior competitions) have been able to do so. As for wheelchair classification, there have been fourteen. The first individual to ever achieve this feat, was Don (John) Budge, all the way back in 1938.
Don Budge at White City (1937)
As if it couldn’t get any more incredible, we have the Golden Slam. This achievement is unparalleled, unequalised in Tennis. This happens when an individual completes a Grand Slam, again that is all four of the world’s largest tennis tournaments, while also winning gold at the Olympics (Or Paralympics/ Youth Olympics) in Tennis. Only three players have ever achieved a Golden Slam; Steffi Graff in 1988 winning in the women’s category, Diede de Groot (2021; Women’s Wheelchair Singles), and Dylan Alcott (2021; Men’s Quad Wheelchair Singles).
Diede de Groot, Golden Slam Winner, with her 10th Grand Slam in a row after winning the French Open
Which Events Are Considered Grand Slam?
Grand Slam Tournaments are the four major events in the tennis calendar, each boasting a unique history, playing surface, and atmosphere. These tournaments attract the best players from around the globe, while demanding the most attention, and delivering the highest reward.
Australian Open
Australian Open
The Australian Open, notably the first tournament of the year, is played in January and February, in Melbourne, the capital of Australia. First held in 1905, the Australian Open was originally known as the Australasian Championships and held on Grass Courts. Now, it is the largest attended Grand Slam event, with an astounding 1,100,000 people attending in 2024. The court, alongside the name, has also changed, with the tournament making the switch to synthetic hard courts back in 1987 with the switch to “Rebound Ace”, then Blue “Plexicushion” in 2008, and the now used blue “GreenSet” in 2020. The event is hosted at The Melbourne Park Sports Complex, with the Rod Laver Arena serving as the main grounds.
Australian Open Prize Money
Jannik Sinner and the Australian Open Trophy
The Australian Open, as a Grand Slam tournament, offers some of the highest pay checks the sport dishes out. Notably, the prize money in men’s and women’s singles are distributed equally. The total allocation for the prize pool is AUD $86,500,000 (~£44,709,602) as of 2024.
Australian Open Prize Pool
Doubles events have a prize per team.
French Open
The French Open, also known as Roland Garros, is again (to make this list) one of the most prestigious tennis tournaments in the world, held annually in Paris, France. Established in 1891, it is the premier clay court championship and the second Grand Slam event of the year, typically taking place in late May and early June. Roland Garros Stadium, named after the French aviator and World War I hero Roland Garros, is the venue for this iconic tournament.
The Roland Garros Arena and it’s clay court.
Originally played on grass courts, the French Open transitioned to clay in 1928, making it unique among the Grand Slam tournaments for its surface. The switch to clay has defined the tournament’s character, with players facing the distinct challenges posed by the slower surface and high-bouncing balls. The clay courts are now synonymous to the event, making it stand it to the broader, non-tennis world. If you ask a non-tennis fan which two events they recognize, it’ll likely be Wimbledon and the French Open thanks to the surfaces used.
French Open Prize Money
As of 2022, the prize money on offer at the French Open surmounted a massive €43,600,000 (~£37,185,624)
French Open Prize Pool
Doubles events have a prize per team.
Wimbledon
The Wimbledon Championships
Wimbledon, often referred to as The Championships, or as Wimbledon Championships, is the oldest and most prestigious tennis tournament in the world, held annually in Wimbledon, London, England. Established in 1877, it is the third Grand Slam event of the tennis calendar and is typically scheduled for two weeks in late June and early July, with various city-wide events often taking place prior to this, such as the Aceify Cup. The tournament is hosted at the All-England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, commonly known as simply Wimbledon.
Wimbledon is renowned for its traditional grass courts, which provide a unique and challenging playing surface for competitors. While all four Grand Slam tournaments have at one point used grass courts, Wimbledon is the only to still do so.
The centrepiece of Wimbledon is Centre Court, an iconic venue steeped in history and tradition. With its retractable roof, Centre Court ensures that matches can proceed uninterrupted despite the unpredictable British weather, and the particularly delicate nature of Grass court surfaces. The court’s rich heritage and intimate atmosphere make it the ideal setting for some of the most memorable matches in tennis history.
Wimbledon Prize Money
After a short decline in the prize pool during COVID-19, Wimbledon’s prize pot has jumped back to pre-pandemic levels. Currently (As of the last 2023 tournament), the prize pool is a whopping £44,700,000.
Wimbledon Prize Pool
Doubles events have a prize per team.
US Open
US Open
The US Open, held annually in Flushing Meadows, New York City, is the fourth and final Grand Slam event of the tennis calendar, taking place during the last week of August and the first week of September. Established in 1881, the tournament is hosted at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, named after the legendary American tennis player Billie Jean King. It was also originally played on grass courts, but the US Open switched to clay in 1975 before ultimately transitioning to hard courts in 1978. This change in surface has contributed to the tournament’s unique identity (yet still aligned with the hard courts of the Australian Open) and has made it a significant challenge for players due to the affect it can have on the body.
The Arthur Ashe Stadium, the largest tennis stadium in the world with a retractable roof, serves as the centrepiece of the tournament. This iconic venue can accommodate over 23,000 spectators and hosts the most high-profile matches during the event.
US Open Prize Money
Emma Raducanu, US Open Champion
In the most recent US Open, of 2023, the total prize money tallied a massive $65,000,020 (~£51,470,915).
US Open Prize Pool
Doubles events have a prize per team.
