Tennis
Tennis is a racket game for two players (singles) or two pairs (doubles) on a court divided by a net. Points build into games, games into sets and sets into a match of the best of three or five sets. A game is won by the first to four points with a lead of two, and a set by the first to six games with a lead of two, usually with a tie-break at six games all.
New to tennis? Start here
How long
Sets to six games with a tie-break at 6-6; matches are the best of three or five sets
Lengths are from the rule book.
The big events, and why they matter
- 1Grand Slams (Australian Open, Roland Garros, Wimbledon, US Open)The four titles a tennis career is measured by.Yearly · Holder: Men's singles: Carlos Alcaraz; Men's singles: Alexander Zverev; Men's singles: Jannik Sinner; Men's singles: Alexander Zverev
- 2ATP Finals and WTA FinalsThe season-ending events for the top eight.Yearly · Holder: ATP singles: Jannik Sinner
- 3Olympic Games (tennis)A prized title, though below the Grand Slams.Every 4 years · Holder: 5 events; men's singles Novak Djokovic
- 4Asian Games (tennis)Asia's multi-sport title; for India often the most reachable major medal.Every 4 years · Holder: 5 events; Japan won 2 golds
How the tournaments are graded
Every tournament on the men's and women's tours carries its points in its name. The four Grand Slams are worth the most.
| Level | Winner's points | In 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Slams | 2,000 | 4: the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and US Open |
| ATP and WTA Finals | Up to 1,500 | The year's last event, for the top eight |
| ATP Masters 1000 and WTA 1000 | 1,000 | 9 for men, 10 for women |
| ATP 500 and WTA 500 | 500 | 16 for men, 17 for women |
| ATP 250 and WTA 250 | 250 | 29 for men, 22 for women |
Below them, Challenger and ITF events give from 175 points down to 15.
India
India's Grand Slam titles are all in doubles and mixed doubles [the four Grand Slam pages].
- Australian Open: 8 titles in 19 finals: 2 men's doubles, 1 women's doubles, 5 mixed doubles
- French Open (Roland Garros): 7 titles in 11 finals: 3 men's doubles, 4 mixed doubles
- Wimbledon: 8 titles in 14 finals: 1 men's doubles, 1 women's doubles, 6 mixed doubles
- US Open: 10 titles in 19 finals: 4 men's doubles, 1 women's doubles, 5 mixed doubles
- ATP Finals and WTA Finals: WTA doubles: 2 titles, both Sania Mirza (2014, 2015). ATP doubles: 7 finals, no title
- Tennis at the Olympic Games: 1 medal: Leander Paes, men's singles bronze, Atlanta 1996
Countries to know
India and the nations that have done best, biggest titles first.
- IndiaAustralian Open: 5 titles (latest 2024); Tennis at the Asian Games: 10 golds, 7 silvers, 17 bronzes (latest 2022)
- United StatesAustralian Open: 18 titles (latest 2026); US Open: 23 titles (latest 2026)
- Czech RepublicAustralian Open: 9 titles (latest 2025); Wimbledon: 13 titles (latest 2026)
- SpainFrench Open (Roland Garros): 16 titles (latest 2026); US Open: 7 titles (latest 2025)
Who runs it
| Rules made by | International Tennis Federation (ITF), Rules of Tennis 2026; the professional tours and the Grand Slams also set their own event rules |
| International federation | International Tennis Federation (ITF) |
| In India | All India Tennis Association (AITA): recognised, on the MYAS list for 2026 |
Where and when it is played
On a court 23.77 metres long, 8.23 metres wide for singles and 10.97 for doubles. The big events: the four Grand Slams every year (Australian Open, Roland Garros, Wimbledon and the US Open), the ATP Finals and WTA Finals every year and the Olympic Games every four years.