Tennis FAQ

ATP rankings are based on a player's best 19 results over a rolling 52-week period. Grand Slams award 2,000 points to the winner, Masters 1000 events award 1,000 points, and ATP 500/250 tournaments award proportionally fewer points. Full point table: super.tennis/rankings/atp-ranking-points-explained/.

WTA rankings use a similar 52-week rolling system. Players' best 16 results count toward their ranking. Grand Slams award 2,000 points, WTA 1000 events award 1,000 points, and smaller tournaments contribute fewer points. Full point table: super.tennis/rankings/wta-ranking-points-explained/.

ATP and WTA rankings are updated every Monday following the conclusion of the previous week's tournaments. Points from the same tournament the previous year drop off when the current year's edition concludes. Live rankings (third-party real-time projections) differ from official rankings during tournament weeks: super.tennis/rankings/live-rankings-vs-official-rankings/.

The current ATP world No. 1 is Jannik Sinner. Rankings are updated weekly on super.tennis.

The current WTA world No. 1 is Aryna Sabalenka. Check the full rankings at super.tennis/rankings.

ATP ranks men's professional tennis players while WTA ranks women's. Both use a 52-week rolling points system based on tournament results, but differ in the number of counting results (ATP: best 19, WTA: best 16). Full system overview: super.tennis/rankings/how-tennis-rankings-work/.

The four Grand Slam tournaments are the Australian Open (January, Melbourne), Roland Garros/French Open (May-June, Paris), Wimbledon (June-July, London), and the US Open (August-September, New York). They are the most prestigious events in tennis.

Novak Djokovic holds the record with 24 Grand Slam titles, followed by Rafael Nadal (22) and Roger Federer (20).

Margaret Court holds the all-time record with 24 Grand Slam titles, followed by Serena Williams (23) and Steffi Graf (22).

A Calendar Grand Slam is winning all four Grand Slam tournaments in the same calendar year. In men's singles, only Don Budge (1938) and Rod Laver (1962, 1969) have achieved it. In women's, Maureen Connolly (1953), Margaret Court (1970), and Steffi Graf (1988) hold this distinction.

Each Grand Slam uses a different surface: Australian Open on hard court (GreenSet), Roland Garros on clay, Wimbledon on grass, and US Open on hard court (DecoTurf). This variety tests players' versatility.

Men's Grand Slam singles matches are best-of-five sets, while women's matches are best-of-three sets. All four Grand Slams now use a 10-point tiebreak in the final set at 6-6. Full breakdown of match formats across the tour: super.tennis/rules/how-many-sets-in-tennis/.

Tennis uses a unique scoring system: points go 0 (love), 15, 30, 40, game. You must win by 2 points — at 40-40 (deuce), a player must win two consecutive points. Six games win a set (with a 2-game lead or tiebreak at 6-6), and matches are best-of-three or best-of-five sets. Full walkthrough: super.tennis/rules/tennis-scoring-explained/.

A tiebreak is played when a set reaches 6-6. Players alternate serves and the first to reach 7 points (with a 2-point lead) wins the tiebreak and the set. All four Grand Slams now use a 10-point tiebreak in the deciding set since 2022. Full tiebreak rules: super.tennis/rules/tie-break-rules-explained/.

An ace is a serve that lands in the service box and is not touched by the receiver. It results in an automatic point for the server. Ivo Karlovic holds the career record with over 13,700 aces.

A double fault occurs when a player fails to land either their first or second serve in the correct service box. It results in losing the point. Players get two serve attempts per point.

A let occurs when a serve clips the net cord but still lands in the correct service box — the serve is replayed. A fault is when the serve misses the service box entirely. Two consecutive faults result in a double fault and loss of point.

Beginners should look for a racket with a larger head size (100-110 sq in), lighter weight (270-285g), and pre-strung setup. Popular choices include the Wilson Clash, Babolat Pure Drive Lite, and Head Ti.S6. Avoid pro-level heavy frames initially.

A general rule is to restring as many times per year as you play per week. If you play 3 times a week, restring about 3 times per year. Competitive players may restring every few weeks. Signs you need new strings: loss of tension, fraying, or noticeable power loss.

Clay court shoes need a herringbone tread pattern for grip on loose surface, durable outsoles to resist abrasion, and a snug fit. Top options include the Asics Gel-Resolution, Nike Air Zoom Vapor, and adidas Barricade in their clay-court versions.

Polyester strings offer more control and spin potential but are stiffer. Natural gut provides superior feel, power, and comfort but is more expensive and less durable. Many pros use a hybrid setup combining both.

The 2026 singles champion at each Grand Slam earns approximately: Australian Open A$3.5M (~US$2.3M), Roland Garros €2.4M, Wimbledon £3.0M (~$3.8M), US Open ~$3.6M. Total prize pools across the four Slams exceed $230M. Full per-round tables: super.tennis/money/grand-slam-prize-money-breakdown/.

Top 10 players earn $20-100M+ combined (prize + endorsements). Top 50 earn $2-8M. Top 100 earn $700K-$2M (often near break-even after operating costs of $400-700K/year). Below top 200, most players run at a loss. Full tier breakdown: super.tennis/money/how-much-tennis-players-earn/.

Novak Djokovic leads career prize money with $190M+. Roger Federer earned ~$130M prize money plus $1.1B+ in career endorsements — likely the highest total earnings in tennis history. Serena Williams leads women's prize money at $94M. Full breakdown: super.tennis/money/.

US Open ~$75M total pool (largest in USD), Australian Open A$96.5M (~$63M, largest in native currency), Wimbledon £53M (~$67M), Roland Garros €58M (~$63M). All four pay equal prize money to men's and women's singles champions (since 2007). Full system explainer: super.tennis/money/tennis-prize-money-explained/.

In the US: ESPN and Tennis Channel for most events; ESPN+ has exclusive US Open coverage through 2037. UK fans watch Wimbledon free on BBC, US Open on Sky Sport, AO/RG/ATP/WTA tour on Eurosport/Discovery+. Australia: Channel 9 (free) for AO, Stan Sport for everything else. Full broadcaster breakdown by tournament: super.tennis/watch/where-to-watch-grand-slams/. Country-by-country reference: super.tennis/watch/tennis-tv-rights-by-country/.

Depends on what you watch. Tennis TV ($120/year) streams every ATP match globally but no Slams. Tennis Channel ($9.99/month, US) is the most "Netflix-like" option for ATP/WTA tour content. ESPN+ ($10.99/month, US) covers Slams but not most tour events. Most hardcore fans combine 2-3 services. Full comparison: super.tennis/watch/best-tennis-streaming-services/.

The ATP season runs from January to November, starting with the Australian Open and culminating in the ATP Finals. It includes 4 Grand Slams, 9 Masters 1000 events, multiple ATP 500 and 250 tournaments, plus the Davis Cup.

Start times vary by tournament. Grand Slams typically begin at 11:00 AM local time, with night sessions starting around 7:00 PM. Check the tournament schedule page on super.tennis/calendar for specific start times.