How Tennis Rankings Work: A Comprehensive Guide

Tennis rankings are a crucial aspect of the sport, determining player seedings and tournament eligibility. They are based on a rolling 52-week cumulative points system, where players earn points based on their performance in various tournaments. Here’s a detailed breakdown of how rankings are calculated and what factors influence them.

ATP Rankings: Men’s Tennis

In men’s tennis, the ATP rankings are formed from a maximum of 20 tournaments. These include:

• Four Grand Slam tournaments
• ATP Finals
• Eight mandatory ATP Masters 1000 tournaments
• Seven best performances at lower-ranked tournaments (including non-mandatory ATP Masters 1000 events, ATP 500 series, and ATP 250 series)

For players who do not qualify for the ATP Finals, only 19 tournaments are counted. Notably, ranking points cannot be earned from playing in the Olympics.

WTA Rankings: Women’s Tennis

The WTA rankings for women are based on 18 tournaments, which include:

• Four Grand Slam tournaments
• Six WTA 1000 combined tournaments
• One WTA 1000 non-combined tournament
• Seven results from other events

Points earned from the WTA Finals count as an additional 19th tournament. Similar to the ATP, ranking points are accumulated through wins and progression in tournaments, with higher-ranked events offering more points.

Grand Slam Points Breakdown

Both ATP and WTA players earn significant points from Grand Slam tournaments, but there are slight differences:

Men’s Grand Slam Points:

• Winner: 2000 points
• Runner-up: 1300 points
• Semi-finals: 800 points
• Quarter-finals: 400 points
• Round of 16: 200 points
• Round of 32: 100 points
• Round of 64: 50 points
• Round of 128: 10 points
• Qualifiers: 30 points

Women’s Grand Slam Points:

• Winner: 2000 points
• Runner-up: 1300 points
• Semi-finals: 780 points
• Quarter-finals: 430 points
• Round of 16: 240 points
• Round of 32: 130 points
• Round of 64: 70 points
• Round of 128: 10 points
• Qualifiers: 40 points

Protected Rankings: A Lifeline for Injured Players

Protected rankings allow players to return to major tournaments after extended absences, typically due to injuries. This system is particularly beneficial for top-performing players whose rankings have dropped significantly during their time off.

Key Points about Protected Rankings:

• Eligibility: Players must have been absent for at least six months due to injury or maternity leave.
• Usage: Men can use their protected ranking for the first nine tournaments or months post-comeback, while women can use it for eight tournaments in a single season (extended to 12 if they miss more than a year).
• Limitations: Protected rankings cannot be used to obtain a seeding, meaning players may face top opponents early in tournaments.

Impact of Injuries on Rankings

Injuries can significantly affect a player’s ranking. For example, Jack Draper, the British number one, is set to miss the rest of the 2025 season due to an arm injury. As a result, he is expected to drop out of the top 10 by the end of the year. This highlights the importance of consistent performance and the challenges players face when recovering from injuries.

Conclusion

Understanding tennis rankings involves more than just knowing how points are awarded. It’s about recognizing the role of different tournaments, the impact of injuries, and the mechanisms in place to support players during their careers. Whether you’re a fan or an aspiring player, this knowledge provides a deeper appreciation of the sport’s competitive landscape.