Along with football, cricket, and hockey, tennis ranks amongst the most popular sports around the globe in terms of fan numbers. Placing bets on prestigious tennis tournaments taking place all year round has also risen to prominence at a remarkable pace. The sheer number of betting opportunities delivered to fans of tennis makes it a particularly sought-after discipline in contemporary sportsbooks’ portfolios. The rise of in-play markets has considerably contributed to the sport’s popularity among punters.
Bettors willing to wager on the most renowned individual sport should familiarize themselves with the types of tennis courts, the general rules, and associated terminology to be able to place bets in an informed and knowledgeable manner. Getting to know the contemporary tennis legends, the specifics of the Grand Slam events, as well as other prestigious tournaments is a must for every tennis betting fan. Studying the various factors influencing tennis games, as well as the different styles of play also helps a great deal in landing more winning wagers.
Short History of TennisThe immense popularity of tennis is reflected in the great number of sportsbooks focusing on the sport and delivering a vast range of betting markets, including match winner, set betting, tournament outrights, and handicap betting alternatives, among others. Bettors are advised to sign up with several of the most reputable bookmakers, which enables them to always find the best value wagers for their selected meetings.
Let us now begin our thrilling journey in the world of tennis betting and find more about the immense potential it carries for fans of this amazing game.
Short History of Tennis
Having a long and diverse history, spanning centuries, tennis is much loved also by royals and aristocracy. It was particularly enjoyed by high-ranking ladies and gentlemen during the Victorian era. It is generally believed that tennis originates from a French handball game, called “game of the palm” played during the 12th and 13h centuries. The sport was originally practiced with bare hands until the 16th century when the racket was invented.
It is recognized that contemporary tennis rules were first outlined in a book by Major Walter Clopton Wingfield in 1873. One of the major changes that he introduced included allowing for an over-arm serving. The decision of the All England Croquet Club to designate one of its lawns in Wimbledon for tennis was a pivotal moment in the sport’s history.
Since tennis popularity quickly exceeded that of croquet, it was soon renamed the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. Just three years after the rules of the game were officially codified, the first edition of the Wimbledon Championship was held. Women’s participation in the championship was already a fact in 1884.
By the 1890s, the rules of tennis were further refined, with just a few changes that have been introduced up to the present day. One of the few modifications to the rules was the introduction of the tie-break during the 1970s.
Once the success and popularity of the Wimbledon Championship were obvious, the Scottish and the Irish Championships followed. The game quickly gained popularity in the United States as well, and the first championship on US soil was held in 1880. The Australian Championship was played for the first time in 1905. Although the first French Championship was held in 1891, it was not until 1925 that it became international.
In the late 1960s tennis popularity began growing at an astonishing rate. The start of the Open era was in 1968 when the sport became professional. Tennis outfits and equipment were modernized and diversified. Tennis bettors may be interested to know why tennis balls are yellow. According to research conducted by the International Tennis Federation in 1972 yellow tennis balls were more easily recognized by TV viewers. The rackets changed considerably as well, due to the variety of advanced materials that were introduced. The transition to fully professional tennis necessitated the introduction of player guilds – the Men’s Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) and the Women Tennis Association (WTA).
Tennis was originally included in the Olympic Games for a period from 1896 to 1924. Its presence was officially resumed in 1988, thus becoming a crucial point in the careers of the world’s most renowned tennis stars. During the years when tennis was absent from the Olympic Games program, it underwent a number of significant developments, including the concept of the Grand Slam.
As many tennis fans probably know, it means winning the four major tournaments – the Australian Open, the French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open. In 1988, Steffi Graf was the first tennis player to achieve a Golden Slam, by winning all four tournaments along with the Olympic Gold in a single season. Earning this great achievement even in the course of a career is the ultimate goal of any great tennis player. Nowadays tennis is played all over the world on a variety of surfaces by millions of people, both amateurs, and professionals.
Tennis Courts
Tennis betting fans should be familiar with the types of tennis courts, their dimensions, and their layout. Although originally played on grass courts, nowadays, there is a variety of surfaces, on which professional tennis games are played. Essentially, there are three main types of fields – grass, clay, and hard. It is important to point out that the type of tennis court is among the most significant factors influencing the outcome of tennis games.
Types of Tennis Courts
Grass courts are the most traditional ones, as tennis was originally played on grass lawns by the British aristocracy. The Wimbledon Championship, which is widely regarded as the most prestigious of the four Grand Slam events, is played on a grass court. The specifics of the grass environment make tennis matches quite unpredictable and fast-paced. It takes immense concentration, speed and technique to master this type of court, and some of the tennis stars who perform incredibly on it include Roger Federer, Serena Williams, and Pete Sampras.
Clay courts are of two main subtypes – red clay courts, and the less common, green clay courts. Games played on clay courts are much slower than those on grass courts, and, sometimes, it takes great endurance to overcome an opponent. Among the tennis players who show a preference for this type of surface are Rafael Nadal and Björn Borg.
Hard courts are made of concrete or asphalt foundations covered by a layer of synthetic or acrylic materials. They are generally faster than clay courts and slower than grass courts. The US Open and the Australian Open are played on hard courts. Novak Djokovic is known to perform particularly impressive on this surface type.
Tennis Court Dimensions and Layout
Though the type of surface of tennis courts may vary, the dimensions are universal and the same surface can be used for singles and doubles matches. As per the rules set out by the International Tennis Federation, tennis courts have a rectangular shape, measuring 23.77 meters (78 ft) in length, and 8.23 (27 ft) meters in width. The width for doubles is 10.97 meters (36 ft).
The two parallel lines drawn horizontally across the tennis court’s width are called baselines, while the lines running vertically are called sidelines. The net stretched across the center is 1.07 meters (3 ft 6 in) high and divides the field into two halves. The service line stands at 6.40 meters (21 ft) away from the net. When a player is facing the net, the right side is known as the ‘deuce‘ court, while the left side is the ‘ad‘ court.
Rules and Point System
The International Tennis Federation is the governing body that determines the rules of contemporary tennis. Tennis matches can be played by two players (singles) or four players (doubles) and include three phases – points, games, and sets. A set comprises several games, whose minimum is set to 6. The first player to win 6 games, by a margin of at least 2 games, emerges victorious in a set.
Now let us examine how the scoring system of the sport works. Upon the start of each tennis game, players have 0 points, which are referred to as ‘love‘. Once a point is scored, it changes the result to 15, the second point equals a result of 30, and the third point takes it to 40.
| Tennis Scoring System | |
|---|---|
| Points | Terms and scores |
| 0 | ‘love’ |
| First point | 15 |
| Second point | 30 |
| Third point | 40 |
| Fourth point | The game is won unless the result is 40-40. |
| 40-40 | Deuce |
| Next point | Advantage/Ad |
| The side having the advantage scores a point | The game is won |
| The side having the advantage does not score a point | The score returns to Deuce |
The player winning the fourth point will win the game unless the score is 40-40, called also a Deuce. An advantage or ad is given to players’ score once they manage to win the next score after a game goes to Deuce. Provided that the same player wins the next score, they win the game, otherwise, the score returns to Deuce.
Tie-breaks are extra games played if both players reach six games. The first player or team to win a total of seven points wins the tie-break. Similar to sets, tie-breaks need to be won by a margin of at least two points. Depending on the competition, tennis matches consist of either 3 or 5 sets. As for the scoring system of tie-breaks, it differs from that of games, with scores corresponding to 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, etc. The player who serves first in a tie-break is the one who has received a serve in the previous game.
Tennis games start by tossing a coin, establishing the player to serve first and the side of the court they want to occupy. The serving player commences the game from the right side of the court, standing behind the baseline and inside the limits of the center mark and the sideline. The server aims to hit the ball diagonally from this spot. Failing to get the ball into play after the first serve is called a ‘fault‘, and after the second serve – a ‘double fault‘. In case players commit a double fault, they lose the point.
Once the ball is in play, opponents hit it back and forth, until one fails to return it. The ball should not bounce twice on the court and should not be hit twice. Furthermore, it should not hit the net, or go out of the court’s markings. The officials in charge of tennis matches include several line umpires and a senior match official known as the chair umpire.
Tennis Betting Odds Explained
Betting odds reflect the likelihood, also referred to as the implied probability of a certain outcome occurring. The odds formats are merely different ways of representing the same thing and do not differ in terms of payouts. Fans of tennis betting, and sports betting in general, should be able to identify whether a bet market has value to make sure they accumulate decent proceeds in the long run. Therefore, being able to understand what odds represent is essential to successful tennis betting.
Depending on the location of the betting operator, there are three main odds formats that bettors should be able to distinguish and interpret – the Decimal, the Fractional, and the American odds format. Most sports betting operators offer the functionality to switch between the formats with a single mouse click.
In the table below, we have represented the three main types of odds formats, the way they indicate even money, the way potential payouts are calculated, and the odds format conversion to implied probability. Even money or evens is a term referring to the odds of a sports event. Even money is when punters place a stake and their potential winnings match their stake. That is to say, if they place a €100 wager, the potential profit they stand to win would be €100, receiving a total return of €200.
| Odds Format | What does the format represent? | Even money | How to calculate potential returns? | Implied Probability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Decimal Odds Format | The amount bettors would win for every €1 wagered | 2 | Odds * Stake = Return | (1/ decimal odds) * 100 |
| Fractional Odds Format | The ratio of the profit to the stake | 02/01/22 | ((Numerator/Denominator) +1) * stake = Return | denominator / (denominator + numerator) * 100 |
| American Odds Format | Based on the negative or positive sign, the amount bettors need to wager to win €100, or the amount they stand to win for every €100 wagered | 100 | (100/negative money line odds) * stake = Return Positive money line odds * (stake/100) = Return | Negative American odds / (Negative American odds + 100) * 100 Implied Probability = 100 / (positive American odds + 100) * 100 |
The Decimal odds format, predominantly used in continental Europe, indicates the potential return of a bet, including the initial stake. To figure out the potential return of decimal odds, tennis betting fans should simply multiply the odds by the stake.
The Fractional odds format, utilized mainly by British and Irish sports betting operators, displays the ratio between the profit bettors would potentially win and the stake. To calculate profits, using fractional odds, bettors should add 1 to the fractional odds and then multiply the result by the stake.
The American odds format, also known as US odds, is represented with either a positive or a negative number. While negative numbers suggest the amount that needs to be wagered to make a profit of €100, positive numbers show the potential profit from a €100 stake.
Tennis betting fans should be able also to convert betting odds into implied probability. As mentioned above, this enables them to spot value in betting markets. If the implied probability is less than your personal assessment, then the market may hold a good value. The formulas for conversion of the three odds formats to implied probability are indicated in the table above.
Bet Types
With tournaments taking place all year round, and a diverse range of markets, fans of tennis wagering will easily find intriguing tennis clashes to bet on. We are now going to present the main types of tennis betting markets – outright betting, matched betting, handicap betting, over/under betting, exact score betting, prop betting, total sets betting, first set/winner betting, accumulator betting, and in-play betting.
Outright Betting
Outright betting involves picking a winner of a whole tournament rather than a single match. For instance, when bookies offer odds on the outright winner of the Wimbledon tennis tournament, the Australian Open, or the US Open, bettors select a single tennis player they believe will overcome all opponents and emerge victorious.
Match Betting
Match bets are the most uncomplicated opportunity that tennis betting fans can go for. They are simply picking the winner of a single tennis match. If the selected player wins the tennis match, the bet also wins.
Handicap Betting
Tennis handicap betting markets can be divided into two main subtypes – set handicaps, and game handicaps. In tennis matches where opponents are not evenly matched, bookmakers provide bettors opportunities to equalize their chances.
This is done by giving a head advantage of several games or sets to the weaker side, while simultaneously handicapping the stronger side. Bettors should decide if they are going to place a bet on the favorite who has to overcome the disadvantage, or on the underdog, who needs to preserve the virtual advantage. Therefore, bets placed on a favorite may lose, even though the player wins the tennis match. Similarly, bets placed on an underdog may win, even though the player loses the match.
Over/Under Betting
In tennis, Over/Under bets relate to the number of games that will be played in a tennis match. Bookmakers offer a certain number of games, and punters are supposed to wager if this number will be exceeded or not.
Exact Score Betting
Betting on Correct Score markets involves picking the exact score of a tennis match. These bets are straightforward when it comes to figuring out, but can be quite challenging when it comes to winning. Therefore, odds are usually advantageous.
Prop Betting
Other than the regular match bets, many bookmakers also offer the so-called prop bets. They are a nice way to diversify betting and tennis is overflowing with prop betting opportunities. These could involve betting on the total number of games played, the margin of sets a tennis player will win by, and the player serving the first game, among others.
Total Sets Betting
As the name of this betting market suggests, punters predict the total number of sets played in a particular tennis match. The matchwinner does not influence Total Sets wagers, because the number of sets played is what is of importance. As tennis betting fans should already know, matches are made up of either three or five sets, depending on the competition. If it is a five-set tournament, a possible Total Sets betting market could be Over 3.5.
First Set/Match Betting
With First Set/Match betting markets, punters predict the winner of the first set and the winner of the match. This is a two-part betting variation, and to win the wager, bettors need to make accurate predictions for both outcomes. To place a winning wager, punters need to analyze a great deal of statistical data regarding players and their respective playing styles.
Accumulator Betting
Tennis betting aficionados have the opportunity to place accumulator bets. They are supposed to pick several tennis players to win their matches. If a single selection from the tennis accumulator bet fails, the whole wager fails. Accumulator bets offer larger payouts due to the combined odds of all selections. Bookies offer various promotional offers related to accumulator bets. These could be either accumulator boost offers or Acca insurance offers.
In-Play Betting
In-play betting provides punters with the opportunity to place bets on tennis matches that are currently underway. Most reputable betting brands offer live tennis betting markets both from high-ranking and less popular tournaments. Many sportsbooks offer live streaming functionalities, which make tennis betting on the go more convenient.
Factors Influencing Tennis Games
Tennis betting fans are advised to always look for markets offering value. Thus they will be able to enjoy profits in the long term due to placing bets based on statistics and in-depth research. This strategy may prove to be quite challenging when applied to tennis, as it is a discipline where favorites do win the majority of their matches, and lower-ranked players rarely make any surprises.
Much like betting on any other sport, there is a range of factors, which punters should check in advance of a tennis match in order to figure out if there is value in the offered odds.
- Type of Court
First and foremost, the type of court that will be used for the forthcoming tennis match is a factor of great significance. As we already mentioned, there are three main types of tennis courts – grass, clay, and hard ones. Although many professional tennis players leave their mark by mastering all types of surfaces, everyone has a preference for one over the others, which can ultimately impact the outcome of meetings. - Playing Style
Playing styles are also to be considered when betting on tennis. There are four main playing styles – the aggressive baseliner, the serve-and-volleyer, the counterpuncher, and the all-court player. The different types of courts suit different playing styles, so the first two factors are interrelated. Baseliners usually perform excellently on slow clay courts, while serve-and-volleyers thrive on grass courts. - Head-to-head Records
Another factor to take into consideration when figuring out the odds of tennis matches are head-to-head records. As with other team and individual sports, tennis players can show a typical pattern when playing against certain opponents. - Current Form
Yet another factor of particular significance is the current form of both opponents. The wealth of available statistics and data on tennis players is not to be underestimated when punters intend to familiarize themselves with the current form of players. - Other Factors
Other factors that may impact the outcome of tennis matches include the weather conditions, recent injuries, previous matches, motivation, and the type of tournament, among others.
Tennis Betting Systems
Tennis betting professionals around the world rely on different systems and strategies in order to accumulate sustainable profits from their wagering. Arbitrage betting, Matched Betting, and Value Betting are the three most popular betting systems that could be applied to tennis. Besides pre-match markets, they can also be used in in-play markets. However, bettors should note that live odds move at a rapid pace and quick reactions and experience are needed.
Arbitrage Betting on Tennis
The first system that tennis betting fans can examine is Arbitrage betting. Based on finding wrong odds offered by bookmakers, it is a system helping bettors generate profits from every bet they make. The reasons for differences in the odds supplied by bookmakers may be due to subjective estimates of different factors impacting tennis matches’ outcomes, mistakes, and variance in the profit margin built into the odds. An Arbitrage betting opportunity can be identified through the help of odds comparison sites or specialized software.
Punters need to bet on opposing outcomes of a tennis event at two different sportsbooks and distribute their stakes in a way guaranteeing a profit irrespective of the event’s outcome. The proportional distribution of stakes at both bookies, in accordance with the offered odds, ensures that bettors will earn the same profit, no matter who wins the tennis match.
Matched Betting on Tennis
Matched betting is yet another betting system that offers a guaranteed profit. Instead of using two bookmakers’ accounts, punters need an account at a bookmaker and a betting exchange. Another requisite to matched bettors is the availability of a bookie’s promotional offer to take advantage of.
Sportsbooks put forward different types of promotions, including free bets and welcome bonuses. They have certain wagering requirements that need to be observed before the bonus funds can be withdrawn to punters’ betting accounts. Matched betting is a system that generates profit every time it is used, as long as punters distribute their stakes correctly. By placing two consecutive bets, covering all outcomes on a particular market at a bookmaker and a betting exchange, they lock in a secure profit from every wager they make.
First, they need to back an outcome at a bookmaker and then lay it at a betting exchange. Both terms differ, as the first one suggests that punters believe a certain outcome will happen, while the second one denotes they are betting against it. Thus, they can cover all possible outcomes of a particular tennis event and consecutively, earn a sure profit.
Value Betting on Tennis
Value betting is a long-term betting system that does not guarantee sure profits like the previous two systems. Much like Arbitrage betting, it is based on finding overpriced odds. However, it does not require betting at two different operators, so bettors are not supposed to cover the second possible outcome at another bookmaker.
By picking bets whose odds are higher than their implied probability, punters have the opportunity to accumulate profits in the long run. Several methods could be used for identifying such odds. Bettors can use odds comparison sites, or match prices between a sharp bookmaker, and their selected sportsbook. Sharp bookmakers offer prices that are as accurate as possible and they provide a good basis for comparison. Thus, by looking for value every time they place a bet, punters stand to increase their bankroll in the long run.
Features of Good Tennis Betting Operators
Millions of fans around the globe cheering for tennis players like to place bets on their favorite sport, so no matter if you are intending to become a serious or a recreational punter, choosing a reputable sports betting operator is of essential importance. There are many features to be considered when picking a reliable operator. Therefore, we turn our attention to the major characteristics that good tennis betting operators have in common.
- Variety of tennis tournaments and betting markets
The more options a betting operator offers with regard to tennis tournaments and betting markets, the more avid tennis bettors they are likely to attract. All major sports betting operators that prioritize tennis supply comprehensive coverage of the four Grand Slam tournaments – the Australian Open, the French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open. The Summer Olympic Games, where tennis is part of the program, are yet another prestigious event of great interest.
There are many other high-ranking championships including the ATP World Tour, the ATP World Tour Finals, the WTA Tour, the WTA Finals, Miami Open, Paris Masters, and Shanghai Masters, to mention just a few. Apart from the standard tennis betting markets, the best tennis betting brands offer a staggering number of other interesting opportunities, along with player specials for the Grand Slam tournaments. - Live Betting Opportunities
As in-play betting is a much sought-after betting option nowadays, the variety of tournaments and markets in the live betting section is another important factor to be considered. Besides a praiseworthy choice of live betting markets, good tennis betting operators provide live streaming services and an early cash-out feature. As in-play odds are moving very quickly, bettors also have the chance to cash out their bets early, and thus lock in their profits or minimize their losses. - Accumulator Betting Opportunities and Acca Insurance Offers
Betting on accumulators is highly rated due to the substantial payouts that could be earned from relatively small wagers. Along with football accumulators, tennis Acca bets are much sought-after. Men’s Grand Slam Accumulator bets, for example, can increase payouts without hugely increasing the risk, since favorites usually win without much effort in the early stages of tournaments. - Price Boosts and Other Bonuses
Every tennis betting fan should be looking for a fine selection of markets offering good value. Price boost offers on various tennis tournaments are yet another requisite that renowned tennis betting operators put forward to attract more betting action. Furthermore, newly-registered bettors can take advantage of a wide array of welcome bonuses and free bets. - Statistics
Successful tennis bettors analyze a lot of data before placing a wager. Relying on detailed and comprehensive statistical information enhances punters’ confidence and helps them make informed decisions. Renowned tennis betting operators deliver a wealth of statistical data and punters are saved from the hassle of researching this vital information elsewhere. Some of the essential stats that punters should look for include first-serve percentage, service games won, and breakpoints saved, among others.
Besides the above-mentioned features of top-ranking tennis sportsbooks, punters should look for operators delivering various deposit and withdrawal methods, a user-friendly interface, and a high-quality customer service department.
Tennis Tournaments
Of all the top-rated tennis tournaments around the globe, undoubtedly, the Grand Slam events (Wimbledon, US Open, French Open, and the Australian Open) attract the lion’s share of betting. Winning all four major championships in one discipline in a single year is referred to as the ‘Calendar Slam’ while achieving this accomplishment in the course of one’s career is known as the ‘Career Grand Slam’.
Wimbledon
Founded in 1877 and held at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon is the oldest of all tennis tournaments and is usually acknowledged as the most prestigious one. Of all Grand Slam tennis tournaments, only Wimbledon is played on grass, which is the original surface of the sport. As traditions dictate, players are dressed almost entirely in white, and spectators get to enjoy servings of strawberries and cream.
Each of the editions of the grand tennis competition includes five major events. Additionally four junior and four invitational competitions also take place. The two-week tournament attracts thousands of spectators every day, including celebrities and royalty.
Most of the events are single-elimination tournaments, meaning that a single loss eliminates players from further participation. While matches in the Gentlemen’s Singles and Gentlemen’s Doubles are best-of-five sets, all other events are best-of-three sets.
The record for the longest tennis match played in history is held by a clash between John Isner of the United States and French player Nicolas Mahut in 2010 at Wimbledon. It lasted for 11 hours and five minutes played over three days and was eventually won by the US player. Trophies won by players remain on display at the All England’s Club Museum.
US Open
Soon after Wimbledon was founded, it was followed by the US Open. The first competition to be held on US soil was in 1881. Matches were played originally on grass, then – on clay, and from 1978 onwards – on hard-court surfaces. Starting on the last Monday of August, the competition lasts also for two weeks.
Similar to Wimbledon, US Open comprises five main events – men’s and women’s singles, men’s and women’s doubles, and mixed doubles. The US tournament is the first one to feature night matches. The Arthur Ashe stadium in New York City is the largest tennis stadium in the world. Notably, the US Open became the first tournament to award equal prize money to men and women.
What differentiates the US Open from the rest of the Grand Slam Events is the fact that it uses a tie-breaker at 6-6 in the final set. As per the rules of the French Open and the Australian Open, players need to win by two games in the final set.
French Open
The French Open, also known as Roland-Garros, is held over two weeks, starting in late May each year. It is the only Grand Slam event held on a clay court. Chronologically, it is preceded by the Australian Open, and followed by Wimbledon, and the US Open. The venue where the grand event is held is considerably smaller than the venues of the other three tournaments.
Due to the specifics of the surface, the French Open is widely regarded as the most physically intense event of all four. Rafael Nadal is the record holder of 13 French Open titles, hence the title “King of Clay”. The playing style that needs to be assumed on clay courts is the reason why many professional players underperform in French Open events.
Australian Open
The Australian Open is the first of the grand slam events to be held each year. The venue is Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia. Apart from the five main events – men’s and women’s singles, men’s, women’s, and mixed doubles, the tournament also features junior championships, wheelchair legends, and exhibition events. Since 2020, the tournament is played on an acrylic hard-court surface.
Held for the first time in 1905, the Australian Open is also known as the “happy slam” and holds the record for the biggest audience of all four tournaments in 2020 when more than 812,000 people attended it. To prevent unfavorable weather conditions, such as extreme heat, three stadium courts are covered with retractable roofs. The player holding the record for the most Men’s Singles titles is Novak Djokovic. The Men’s Singles champion from the 2022 event is Rafael Nadal, while the Women’s Singles champion is Ashleigh Barty.
Olympic Tennis
Tennis has been originally included in the Summer Olympic Games in 1896 but was later removed from it in 1924. The sport’s absence from the program was due to a disagreement over the definition of amateur players between the International Lawn Tennis Federation and the International Olympic Committee. In 1968 and 1984, it was included as a demonstration sport, but from 1988 onwards, it has been played at every Olympic event.
An interesting fact about Olympic Tennis is that the playing service varies. Since 1988 it has been hard-court, except for 1992 when it was clay, and 2012 when it was grass. This gives certain advantages and disadvantages to players, depending on their playing styles.
ATP Finals
Following the Grand Slam events, the ATP Finals is the second-highest tier of annual men’s tennis tournaments. Held for the first time in 1970, today it is often referred to as the “fifth Grand Slam”. The ATP Finals is the year-end conclusion of the ATP Tour. The ATP Challenger Tour is the second-tier tour, while the ITF Men’s World Tennis Tour is the third-tier tour.
Currently, the maximum number of points awarded to winning players in this tournament is 1500 ranking points. The prestigious tournament includes the world’s best eight qualified singles players and doubles teams. It has been played in major cities around the globe. From 2005 to 2008, the ATP Finals venue was the Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena, also known as Qizhong Stadium, in Shanghai, the People’s Republic of China. From 2009 to 2020 it was held in the O2 Arena in London, UK. The location from 2021 to 2025 is Pala Alpitour in Turin, Italy.
WTA Finals
The WTA Finals is a prestigious tournament of the Women’s Tennis Association, including the top-rated players from the WTA Rankings. The competition includes 8 singles players, divided into two round-robin groups and eight doubles teams. To qualify for the WTA Finals, players compete in over 50 WTA tournaments around the world, as well as the four majors.
From 1984 to 1998 the final event in singles was held in a format of best-of-five. Martina Navratilova currently holds the record for the most successful player, having won 8 singles and 13 doubles titles.