The four Grand Slam tournaments are the most prestigious events in tennis.
Each has its own surface and character.
The four majors
- ▸Australian Open — hard court, January
- ▸French Open (Roland-Garros) — clay, late May to June
- ▸Wimbledon — grass, late June to July
- ▸US Open — hard court, late August to September
Formats
Men’s singles is best of five sets; women’s singles is best of three. Final-set tiebreak rules have been standardised in recent years. See our tiebreak guide.
Surfaces matter
Clay slows the ball and favours long rallies. Grass is fast and low-bouncing. Hard courts are in between.
The Grand Slam
Winning all four majors in one calendar year is a “Grand Slam” — very rare in singles.
Ranking points and prize money
Grand Slams award the most ranking points of any regular tournaments, which is why players plan their seasons around them. All four now offer equal prize money to men and women, a change that came after long campaigns by players. Qualifying rounds also give lower-ranked players a chance to earn a place in the main draw.
This is general sports information and commentary. Rules, schedules, and records change — check official league, federation, and event sources for the latest details. Consult a qualified coach or medical professional before starting a new training programme.