Tennis Basics: A Global Sport Explained
Published on
by Mara Kottke
Whether it's Wimbledon, Boris Becker or the Davis Cup, tennis has long captivated people around the world. In this Insight, you can find out what makes the sport so special for businesses.
In this Insight:
Tennis as we know it today has been around for over 150 years - and it remains one of the world's most popular sports, thrilling millions of fans with its combination of technique, athleticism and mental strength. The ATP Tour (Association of Tennis Professionals), the WTA Tour (Women’s Tennis Association), the Grand Slams organised by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and the Davis Cup are at the centre of the tennis world and feature numerous tournaments throughout the year. Unlike many other sports, tennis fans can watch professional tennis live almost every day, contributing to the sport's enormous popularity.
Professional Structures and Game Modes
Tennis is unique in its global tournament structure and the interplay of different surfaces and formats. Whether the events are played on grass, clay or hard court not only influences the way the athletes play, but also the economic and organisational aspects of the sport. There are also different forms of competition, such as singles, doubles and mixed doubles, which offer different marketing opportunities for both players and sponsors.
The ATP Tour and its Tournament Categories
The ATP Tour is made up of a number of different tournaments, which are awarded different amounts of ranking points and prize money. The ATP Challenger Tour, where tennis players usually start their careers, is considered the 'substructure' of the tour.
The ATP 250 is the smallest tournament category on the ATP Tour. The winner receives 250 ranking points and the tournaments are usually used by players as preparation for bigger tournaments.
The ATP 500 tournaments offer more prestige and prize money. Winners are awarded 500 world ranking points. Well-known tournaments in this category are the Barcelona Open, the Terra Wortmann Open in Halle or the Hamburg Open.
The next higher tournament category is the ATP Masters 1000, with a total of nine tournaments held each year. Well-known events include the Indian Wells tournament and the Madrid Open.
The four most important tournaments in the world of tennis are the so-called Grand Slams: the Australian Open in January on hard court, the French Open (Roland Garros) in May and June on clay, Wimbledon in June and July on grass and the US Open in August and September on hard court.
Grand Slam winners receive 2,000 ranking points and huge prize money - at this year's Australian Open, for example, the men's and women's singles winners each took home almost $2.3 million.
The year's top eight players compete at the ATP Finals in November.
The ATP Ranking System
The ATP Ranking is based on a player's 19 best tournament results over the course of a year. Each player collects points based on how far they progress in a tournament. The world ranking determines the entry lists for tournaments and is decisive for a tennis player's career.
Sponsorship & Tennis as an Economic Factor
Tennis is not only a huge sporting success, it is also an economic success. Athletes generate income through prize money and sponsorship deals with major brands such as Nike, Adidas, Wilson and Rolex. In addition, companies sponsor entire tournaments, such as Rolex for the Masters Series or Emirates for the ATP Tour with over 40 tournaments. In the past year alone, the number of sponsors in tennis has increased by 41 per cent, with the total value of sponsorship for the two governing bodies approaching US$60 million.
In the 2023 season, the WTA achieved a record global audience of over one billion viewers, underlining the enormous potential of tennis. Tennis is also very popular in Germany: Almost 22 million Germans are interested in the sport, 44 percent of whom are women. 75 per cent of those interested in tennis have an intermediate or higher level of education and 54 per cent tend to or definitely prefer a sponsored product. According to SportsBusiness' Global Tennis Report, there are nearly 800 million tennis fans worldwide.
The high-profile environment of tennis provides an ideal sponsorship environment for premium and luxury brands. The variety of sponsorship assets - from equipment to tournaments - allows brands to reach their audiences in a targeted way.
Conclusion
Tennis is a fascinating mix of tactics, athleticism and mental strength. The ATP Tour and Grand Slams offer exciting matches throughout the year, with new players coming to the spotlight every now and then. At the same time, tennis is an attractive platform for sponsors. Whether you are a spectator or a player, tennis remains a sport full of emotion and unforgettable moments.
Frequently Asked Questions
