Grand Slam: What It Means in Tennis and Why It Matters

When people talk about the Grand Slam, the achievement of winning all four major tennis tournaments in one calendar year. Also known as the four majors, it’s the highest goal in tennis—nothing else comes close. It’s not just about winning a few big matches. It’s about surviving grueling best-of-five-set matches on three different surfaces, under global pressure, over seven straight weeks. Only a handful of players in history have done it.

The four tournaments that make up the Grand Slam, the four annual tennis championships that define the sport. Also known as the majors, it are the Australian Open, the French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open. Each one is different: hard courts in Melbourne, clay in Paris, grass in London, and hard courts again in New York. The conditions change, the ball bounces differently, the weather swings—and so must your game. Winning one is hard. Winning all four in the same year? That’s legendary.

It’s not just about the players, either. The Wimbledon, the oldest and most prestigious tennis tournament, played on grass since 1877. Also known as The Championships, it has traditions no other event does—white uniforms, no ads on court, no roof until 2009. The US Open, the final Grand Slam of the year, known for its loud crowds and night sessions under lights. Also known as the Open, it brings out the drama. The French Open, the only Grand Slam played on red clay, where matches can last five hours and endurance beats power. Also known as Roland Garros, it breaks down the fastest servers. And the Australian Open, the first Grand Slam of the year, played in extreme heat, where fitness and mental toughness decide the winner. Also known as the Aussie Open, it often sets the tone for the season.

Here’s the truth: Tennis TV doesn’t carry these events. You won’t find live Grand Slam matches there. You need the right broadcaster, the right subscription, or the right timing. That’s why so many fans track schedules, check time zones, and set reminders. Because when Nadal is grinding on clay, or Serena is serving for the title at Wimbledon, you don’t want to miss it.

The posts below dig into what makes these tournaments tick—from how they’re broadcast, to why they’re so hard to win, to what separates the champions from the rest. You’ll find guides on where to watch, why the surfaces matter, and how even top players struggle to pull off the full Slam. Whether you’re a casual viewer or someone who knows every serve speed and clay-court slide, this collection gives you the real story behind the biggest events in tennis.