Major Tennis Events: Grand Slams, Tours, and What You Need to Know

When people talk about major tennis events, the highest-level professional tournaments that define a player’s legacy. Also known as Grand Slam tournaments, these are the only events where titles carry lifetime weight in the sport. The four Grand Slams—Wimbledon, the US Open, the French Open, and the Australian Open—are the pinnacle. They’re not just bigger prizes or longer matches. They’re the only tournaments that test players across all surfaces, in front of global crowds, over two weeks of high-pressure play. Nothing else in tennis compares.

But here’s the thing: not every platform shows them. Tennis TV, a subscription service for ATP Tour matches. Also known as the official streaming home of men’s professional tennis, it gives you daily access to ATP events—but never the Grand Slams. That’s because the Slams are owned and streamed by broadcasters like the BBC, ESPN, or Amazon Prime, depending on your country. If you’re in the UK and want Wimbledon, you need the BBC. If you’re chasing the US Open, you’ll need ESPN or a local provider. Tennis TV is great for seeing how the pros build toward the Slams, but it doesn’t replace them.

Why does this matter for senior players and fans in Nottinghamshire? Because watching these events isn’t just about entertainment—it’s about inspiration. Seeing a 60-year-old player compete in a senior Grand Slam qualifier, or learning how the pros train for clay vs. grass, gives you real insight into your own game. The physical demands, the mental toughness, the strategy changes between surfaces—these aren’t abstract ideas. They’re lessons you can apply, whether you’re still playing competitively or just staying active.

And it’s not just the Slams. The ATP and WTA tours are full of events that lead up to them—250s, 500s, 1000s—that shape rankings and careers. These tournaments are where players test new tactics, recover from injuries, or make comebacks. For senior athletes, understanding how these events work helps you appreciate the journey behind every ace, every comeback, every final. You start to see why a player might skip a 250 event to rest before a 1000, or why a veteran might play doubles to stay sharp.

What you’ll find in the posts below are real answers to questions you might have: Why doesn’t Tennis TV show the Slams? How do the Grand Slams differ from regular tournaments? What makes Wimbledon so different from the US Open? You’ll get straight facts, no fluff. No hype. Just what you need to follow the game better, whether you’re watching from the stands, the couch, or the local club court.