What is Tennis?
Tennis is a popular racquet sport that is played between two players (singles) or two teams of two players (doubles). Players use a racquet to hit a ball over a net into the opponent’s court. The object of the game is to hit the ball in such a way that the opponent is not able to return it. The game can be played by anyone regardless of age or ability level.
History of Pro Tennis
Tennis has been around for centuries, with the earliest known reference to the game dating back to the 12th century. Since then, the game has evolved and become one of the most popular sports in the world. The modern game of pro tennis began in the late 19th century, when the first professional players emerged. The first official professional tennis tournament was held in London in 1877.
Modern Pro Tennis
Today, pro tennis is an international sport that is played at the highest level by top players from around the world. The growth of the sport has been fueled by the rise of the four Grand Slam tournaments – the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open. These tournaments are the most prestigious and most watched events in the sport, and they attract the best players in the world.
The Rankings System
All professional tennis players are ranked by the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP). The ATP Rankings are based on a player’s performance in singles and doubles tournaments. The rankings are updated every week and players are awarded points for their performances. The higher the ranking, the better the player is considered to be.
The Pro Tour
The professional tour is the series of tournaments that are organized by the ATP and the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA). These tournaments are held around the world and feature some of the best players in the world. The tour is divided into several levels, with the top level being the Grand Slams, followed by the ATP Masters 1000 and ATP 500 tournaments.
ATP Tour Events
The ATP Tour is made up of three types of events: the Grand Slams, Masters 1000, and 500 tournaments. The Grand Slams are the most prestigious tournaments and feature the best players in the world. The Masters 1000 tournaments are the next tier down, while the 500 tournaments are the lowest tier.
WTA Tour Events
The WTA Tour is similar to the ATP Tour, with three tiers of events: the Grand Slams, Premier Mandatory, and International tournaments. The Grand Slams are the most prestigious tournaments and feature the best players in the world. The Premier Mandatory tournaments are the next tier down, while the International tournaments are the lowest tier.
The Next Pro Tennis Tournament
The next professional tennis tournament is the 2021 French Open, which will be held from May 30 to June 13 at Stade Roland Garros in Paris, France. This is the second Grand Slam of the year and it will feature the best players in the world competing for the coveted title.
Qualifying Events
Players must qualify for the 2021 French Open by either winning a qualifying tournament or by being one of the top-ranked players in the world. Players can also gain entry into the tournament by using a protected ranking, which is a special ranking that is given to players who have been injured or have taken a break from the tour.
Prize Money
The total prize money for the 2021 French Open is €36 million, with the singles champions receiving €2.4 million each. All players who reach the main draw will receive some prize money, with the lowest-ranked players receiving €20,000.
TV Coverage
The 2021 French Open will be broadcast on TV around the world. In the United States, the tournament will be shown on ESPN and in the United Kingdom the tournament will be broadcast on the BBC.
Players to Watch
There are several players to watch at the 2021 French Open, including:
- Novak Djokovic – The world number one is the defending champion and is the favourite to win the tournament.
- Rafael Nadal – The 13-time French Open champion is always a contender at the tournament.
- Roger Federer – The 20-time Grand Slam champion is making his return to the tour after a long injury layoff.
- Serena Williams – The 23-time Grand Slam champion is always a threat at the majors.
Conclusion
The 2021 French Open is the next pro tennis tournament and it promises to be an exciting event. The tournament will feature the best players in the world competing for the coveted title and it will be broadcast on TV around the world. There are several players to watch, including the defending champion Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, and Serena Williams. The tournament will take place from May 30 to June 13 at Stade Roland Garros in Paris, France.