How the tennis world rankings work (WTA and ATP)

Who gets a ranking

Players must be 14 or older. To appear on the list, a player needs ranking points from at least three tournaments, or at least 10 points (singles or doubles) from one or more.

The 18 results (singles)

If a player does not have to count a Grand Slam or WTA 1000 result (for example after a wild card she did not use), one more of her other results counts instead.

Zero results. A player accepted into a Grand Slam who does not play gets a zero that stays for 52 weeks. A zero from a WTA 1000 event she was committed to also counts, until she meets her WTA 1000 commitments for the year. A player out injured for at least eight weeks in a row has some of those zeros removed.

Doubles: the best 12 results in 52 weeks.

The points

The chart also gives points for qualifying (a qualifier at a Grand Slam gets 40 on top of her main-draw points) and a doubles column for each event. WTA Finals and United Cup points are set elsewhere in the rulebook.

How points are earned: for the furthest round reached. Wild cards earn the same as anyone. A qualifier who loses her first main-draw match keeps only her qualifying points.

Expiry

Points stay for 52 weeks from the week they enter the ranking. WTA Finals points drop off on the Monday after the last WTA tournament before the next WTA Finals.

Ties (singles)

Most points from Grand Slams, WTA 1000 events and the WTA Finals; then most points from all WTA events and Grand Slams; then fewest tournaments played; then the best single result, the second best and so on.

A worked example

Made up to show the arithmetic. In 52 weeks a player reaches the third round (last 32) at two Grand Slams (130 each) and the second round (last 64) at the other two (70 each): 400. In her seven WTA 1000 events she reaches one quarter-final (215), two last-16s (120 each) and four last-32s (65 each): 715. Her seven best other results: a WTA 250 title (250), a WTA 500 semi-final (195), two WTA 250 semi-finals (98 each), a WTA 125 title (125) and two W100 finals (65 each): 896. Total: 400 + 715 + 896 = 2,011.

Where to see it

wtatennis.com, rankings, every week.

Simple layer

The men's PIF ATP Rankings work the same way: points by round reached, bigger tournaments worth more, 52 weeks.

A player's ranking counts the four Grand Slams, the eight mandatory Masters 1000 events and the ATP Finals (if he played), plus his best six other results. Once he is in the main draw of a Grand Slam or mandatory Masters, the result counts even if he does not play.

Detailed layer

Singles points:

The ATP Finals give 200 for each round-robin win, 400 for winning the semi-final and 500 for winning the final. Players who lose in qualifying get a few points (up to 16 at a Grand Slam). A first-round loss gives no points at ATP 500, ATP 250, Challenger and ITF events; wild cards at Grand Slams and Masters score only from the second round.

Replacing Masters results: up to three Masters 1000 results (or zeros) in 52 weeks can be replaced by a better, later ATP 500 or 250 result. A player who withdraws from an ATP 500 event gets a zero for it.

Ties: most points from Grand Slams, mandatory Masters and the ATP Finals; then fewest events played; then the best single result, the second best and so on.

Doubles: best 18 results in 52 weeks (Grand Slam doubles title 2,000).

A worked example. Made up to show the arithmetic. An Indian player ranked around 150 was not accepted into any Grand Slam or Masters main draw, so instead of 6 other results he counts 6 + 12 = 18. His best 18 in 52 weeks: two Challenger 125 titles (250), a Challenger 175 final (90), an ATP 250 quarter-final as a qualifier (50 + 13 = 63) and 14 Challenger 125 quarter-finals (14 × 16 = 224). Total: 250 + 90 + 63 + 224 = 627.

Where the WTA and ATP differ