A Grand Slam tennis tournament is one of four major tournaments held each year. According to the International Tennis Federation, the governing body of the sport worldwide, the Grand Slam events "are the most prestigious individual competitions in tennis." The four tournaments are the Australian Open, Roland Garros -- also called the French Open, Wimbledon and the U.S. Open.
History
The term Grand Slam became a permanent part of tennis vocabulary in 1938 when Donald Budge, an American player, became the first man to win all four major tournaments in the same year. Allison Danzig, tennis correspondent for the New York Times, used the term, taken from the card game Bridge, to describe Budge's achievement.
Australian Open
The Australian Open, usually held in January, is the first Grand Slam tournament of the year. The event takes place in Melbourne Park, where play is on hard courts. As in all four Grand Slam tournaments, competitions include men's and women's singles, men's and women's doubles, and mixed doubles.
Roland Garros
Roland Garros, or the French Open, is the second Grand Slam tournament of the year. Played in Paris on clay courts, the event typically occurs during the latter part of May and the first part of June. In 1968, the French Open became the first 'open' Grand Slam tournament, which meant the tournament was open to professional players as well as amateurs. Previously, Grand Slam tournaments allowed only amateur players.
Wimbledon
The official name of the Wimbledon tournament is The Championships. The site of the event is in London at The All England Lawn Tennis Club, where players compete on grass courts. The third Grand Slam tournament of the year, the event takes place during the latter part of June and the first part of July.
U.S. Open
The final Grand Slam tournament of the year is the US Open. Played on hard courts at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, New York, the tournament takes place during the latter part of August and the first part of September.
Member Comments