Best In European Tennis: The Laver Cup, Berlin: 20-22 Sep

The European leg of the ATP and WTA tours is a highlight of the sporting calendar, bringing world-class tennis to some of the most iconic cities and stunning venues.

Europe comes alive in the summertime with sporting events filling up the calendar every year. From the F1 World Championships to the La Vuelta de España to the European leg of the GKA Kitesailing World Tour – there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

But right now we’re talking to you tennis-lovers.

Whether you’re a die-hard tennis aficionado or just love watching thrilling sports events, the European ATP and WTA tour events offer something for everyone.

Let’s dive into the excitement and explore the key tournaments that make the European tour unmissable.

Photo by Darko Nesic on Unsplash

What is the ATP Tour?

The ATP Tour is the global professional tennis circuit for men, featuring the best players from around the world competing in a series of tournaments to earn points and prizes.

In total, the tour sees more than 60 tournaments in 30 countries. From those competitions, all roads lead to the Nitto ATP Finals, the grand season finale in Turin, Italy.

Organised by the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP), the tour includes Grand Slams, ATP1000s, ATP500s, and ATP250s, before that prestigious ATP Tour Finals.

European Tour Events January to March

The ATP tour kicks off the European season with exciting indoor events like the Open Sud de France in Montpellier and the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam. These ATP500 events set the stage for a thrilling year of tennis.

April to June: Clay Court Season

Next comes the warmer weather of spring/early summer and the Monte Carlo Masters. Held in the picturesque setting of the Monte-Carlo Country Club, this ATP1000 event is a favourite among players and fans alike.

After the stunning scenes in Monte Carlo, the tour carries on serving and volleying its way across Europe. Let’s take a look at more of the men’s events now.

Barcelona Open

Taking place typically in late April, at the Real Club de Tenis Barcelona, the Barcelona Open serves as a critical warm-up for players preparing for the French Open – the second Grand Slam of the year.

The tournament is part of the ATP500 series, making it one of the more significant events in terms of ranking points and prize money. It’s at this tournament where Rafael Nadal, a native of Spain, has an especially storied history, winning it numerous times and further cementing his status as the “King of Clay.”

Madrid Open

Positioned just before the French Open, the Madrid Open is a crucial preparatory event for the top players on the circuit.

Known for its high altitude, the tournament offers unique playing conditions that test even the top-ranked tennis stars. As a Masters 1000 event, it attracts a star-studded field and offers significant ranking points and prize money.

Rome Masters

Set in May, the Rome Masters was established in 1930 and takes place at the historic Foro Italico on outdoor clay courts.

The Rome Masters is renowned for its passionate crowds, iconic venue, and competitive field, offering significant ranking points and prize money, making it a highlight of the ATP Tour calendar.

French Open

One of the four Grand Slam tournaments, Roland Garros in Paris is the pinnacle of the clay court season, attracting the biggest names in tennis.

While being one of the biggest events on the European tennis calendar, this tournament also brings the clay season to a close. Next up comes the grass season and eyes start shifting towards Wimbledon.

June to July: Grass Court Season

Welcome to the turf! Now it’s all about who can hold their focus when the clay turns to green grass and the stadium rooves come off (for the most part).

Queen’s Club Championships

This ATP500 event in London is a traditional warm-up for Wimbledon, featuring top players honing their grass-court skills before the big event.

Halle Open

An often understated event, the Halle Open is held in Germany at the Gerry Weber Stadion. A favourite of tennis legend Roger Federer, it runs alongside the Queen’s Club Championships as an ATP500 event offering another chance to see top talent preparing for the Grand Slam.

Wimbledon

The most prestigious tennis tournament in the world, Wimbledon is a Grand Slam event held at the All England Club in London. It’s the highlight of the grass court season and a beloved event for sports (and strawberry) fans globally.

European Indoor Events

As the tour transitions back to indoor courts, tournaments like the Erste Bank Open in Vienna and the Swiss Indoors Basel (both ATP500) provide thrilling tennis action.

November: Season Finale

The season concludes with the NITTO ATP Finals, a showdown of the year’s top eight players. Hosted in cities like Turin, this event is a thrilling climax to the ATP season.

Laver Cup

Though not part of the ATP points race, the Laver Cup is a unique team event that pits Europe against the rest of the world in an exhilarating competition. Unlike ATP Tour events, the Laver Cup does not award ranking points.

The competition features six players on each team, selected based on ATP rankings and captain’s picks. Team Europe, typically comprising top European players, competes against Team World, made up of players from other continents.

Matches include singles and doubles, with each win contributing points to the team’s total. The event spans three days, with point values increasing each day to keep the excitement rolling.

The WTA Tour: What is the WTA Tour?

The WTA Tour, governed by the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), is the premier global circuit for women’s tennis.

Featuring the world’s best female players, the tour includes a mix of Grand Slams, WTA1000s, WTA500s, and other events, culminating in the WTA Tour Championships.

January to March: Early-Year Indoor Tournaments

The European WTA tour starts with exciting indoor tournaments like the St. Petersburg Ladies Trophy and the Open 6ème Sens in Lyon. These events set the tone for a competitive season ahead.

April to June: Clay Court Season

Proceedings in the European clay court season get underway at the Stuttgart Open (Porsche Tennis Grand Prix).

Known for its fast indoor clay courts, this WTA500 event attracts top players looking to kickstart their clay season.

Madrid Open

Just like in the men’s game, the next event on the calendar sees the athletes move to Spain. This combined ATP and WTA1000 event offers thrilling matches in the Spanish capital.

Italian Open (Rome)

Italian Open (Rome)
Internazionali BNL d’Italia, is a highlight of the WTA Tour that brings excitement and top-tier tennis to the Eternal City every May. This WTA1000 tournament is a key event leading up to Roland Garros.

The vibrant atmosphere, passionate Italian crowds, and breathtaking backdrop of ancient Rome make this tournament truly special.

French Open

As the crown jewel of the WTA Tour’s clay court season, Roland Garros demands exceptional endurance and skill from players.

The vibrant Parisian atmosphere, passionate crowds, and historic venue make the French Open an unforgettable experience, blending world-class tennis with the romance and charm of Paris.

June to July: Grass Court Season

This is where the women’s tour schedule can differ slightly to the men’s. While the ATP tour heads to the English capital, the ladies travel to the second city and Eastbourne.

Birmingham Classic

The Birmingham Classic, held in mid-June, is a WTA250 tournament hosted at the Edgbaston Priory Club. It attracts top female players looking to hone their grass court skills in a competitive yet intimate setting.

Eastbourne International

The Eastbourne International, taking place the week before Wimbledon, is a WTA500 event held at Devonshire Park.

Known for its strong player field, it offers intense competition and serves as the final tune-up before the Grand Slam.

Wimbledon

Just like in the ATP tour, Wimbledon is the biggest grass court event on the WTA Tour. The historic courts of the All England Club host the best in women’s tennis.

WTA European Indoor Events

The indoor season features tournaments like the Upper Austria Ladies Linz and the Kremlin Cup in Moscow, where players compete for valuable points and titles.

November: Season Finale

The WTA season concludes with the WTA Finals, where the top eight players of the year compete for glory. This prestigious event caps off an exciting year of women’s tennis.

Follow the ATP & WTA Tours Across Europe

Following the ATP and WTA Tours through Europe is about more than just awesome tennis. It’s also a thrilling way to experience some of the continent’s most iconic cities. Start in the romantic city of Paris for Roland Garros, where you can indulge in croissants, explore the Louvre and stroll along the Seine.

Next, head to the historic and vibrant city of Rome for the Italian Open, where ancient landmarks like the Colosseum and Vatican City await. Continue to the picturesque city of Madrid for the Madrid Open, offering a mix of stunning architecture, delicious tapas, and lively plazas – we got a small taste for this on our foodie tour of Cadiz.

The grass court season brings you to London for Wimbledon, where you can enjoy classic British charm, visit Buckingham Palace or Somerset House, and take in the city’s rich history. Why not take some time away from Centre Court and dig out some top grub at Mercato Metropolitano?

Conclusion

The European ATP and WTA tour events offer a captivating journey through some of the most beautiful and historic cities in the world.

From the grandeur of Wimbledon to the intensity of the NITTO ATP Finals and the elegance of the WTA Tour Championships, these tournaments provide unforgettable experiences for tennis fans

For more news from the top sports events across Europe, make sure you check out our Sports Channel.