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9 Best Major Tennis Tournaments

Sunday column

9 Best Major Tennis Tournaments

The piece begins by noting that tennis has grown into a truly global sport with high-stakes tournaments that draw in fans from around the world. It frames the list as events worth attending—not just for the tennis, but for the spectacle, setting, history and travel experience. (Roadtrips)

H

Harper Collins

Desk editor

Editor’s note

The full column continues in quiet type below.

Section

Sunday Broadsheet

The piece begins by noting that tennis has grown into a truly global sport with high-stakes tournaments that draw in fans from around the world. It frames the list as events worth attending—not just for the tennis, but for the spectacle, setting, history and travel experience. (Roadtrips)
It then distinguishes between the cornerstone “Grand Slam” tournaments and other major events that, while not Grand Slams, still carry prestige, quality competition, and terrific travel appeal. (Roadtrips)

The Nine Tournaments

Here are the nine events the article recommends, along with why they were spotlighted:

1. Wimbledon Championships – London, England

The oldest tennis tournament, first held in 1877, and the only one still played on traditional grass courts.
Key traditions: strict white dress code for players, strawberries and cream for spectators, and the involvement of the British Royal Family. All of this contributes to its global prestige and “must-go” status. 

2. US Open – Flushing Meadows (New York), USA

The final Grand Slam of the calendar year, the US Open offers a vibrant, urban atmosphere with its base in New York City. The setting, combined with top-tier tennis and big crowds, makes it a standout for fans who want more than just the sport. 

3. Australian Open – Melbourne, Australia

The first Grand Slam of the year; held in late January/early February, at Melbourne Park. The article highlights the high attendance, the hard-court surface, and the “kick-off” energy to the year’s tennis season. 

4. French Open (Roland Garros) – Paris, France

Unique for being played on clay—a surface that slows down the ball and tests players differently. The tournament's setting in Paris adds travel appeal: the city’s cafés, architecture, and culture elevate the experience. 

5. Summer Olympic Games – Tennis event

Tennis at the Summer Games is included because of the multi-sport atmosphere, the chance to see tennis in the context of an Olympic spectacle, and the global exposure it gives. Though it isn’t an annual event, when it occurs it’s described as “one of the best tennis they have ever seen” by the article’s authors when referencing their experience. 

6. BNP Paribas Open – Indian Wells, California, USA

Often dubbed “Tennis Paradise,” this event draws huge attendance numbers (over 400,000 in a recent year per the article) and combines high-quality tennis with resort-style amenities. Perfect for travel plus sport. 

7. ATP Finals – Turin, Italy (for the current edition)

This is the year-end tournament for the top 8 men’s singles and doubles players. It uses a round-robin format before semi-finals and the final. The article emphasises its prestige and its unique format compared to the knock-out structure of most tournaments. 

8. WTA Finals – Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

The counterpart for women’s professional tennis: the season-ending event for the top female players. It’s noted for its high prize purse (in one recent year about $15.25 million) and for how it “caps” the season. 

9. Laver Cup – London / rotating venues

A newer addition to the tennis calendar (since 2017) featuring Team Europe vs Team World. It’s an indoor event (or with a retractable roof) and brings a team-competition flavour to individual sport. The article lists it as a fun and different experience for fans. 

Travel & Experience Highlights

Beyond just the tennis, the article emphasises why attending these tournaments is worth travel:
Many of the events are in major global cities (London, New York, Paris, Melbourne) which means sightseeing, culture, dining, and beyond-the-court experiences. 
Some tournaments combine high-level sport with luxurious settings (e.g., Indian Wells).
The scheduling of tournaments across the year offers fans different climate, surfaces, and atmospheres: from grass to clay to hard courts.
For those seeking a bucket-list experience, the article suggests starting with one of the Slams and then branching out to other majors for variety.

Key Take-aways

The four Grand Slams (Wimbledon, US Open, Australian Open, French Open) remain foundational and are included in the list—and the article endorses them as “must-go” for tennis fans. 
But other tournaments (like BNP Paribas Open, ATP/WTA Finals, Laver Cup) also merit attention if you’re looking for high-profile tennis plus travel value and unique formats.
The travel aspect is integral: location, venue atmosphere, tradition, and extras (city culture, food, lodging) all matter.
If you’re planning your own visit, the article implies you should think beyond just the match—consider the full experience.

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