Tennis is one of the most globally widespread sports in existence. The men’s professional tour held tournaments in 31 countries in 2023, while the women’s tour visited 30 countries on six continents. The main tours combine for over 100 tournaments, in addition to lower-level tours and junior tennis events. However, one tournament stands out above all others as the most enduring, prestigious event in the sport.
The All-England Croquet Club was founded in 1868. A few years later, the new sport of tennis was introduced at the club. In 1877, the organization rebranded itself as the All-England Croquet and Lawn Tennis Club and held the first Wimbledon tennis championships. The event has been held almost every year for nearly 150 years.
The US Open held its first event in 1881, making it the second-oldest tennis tournament in the world. The tournament has moved venues on several occasions, but has taken place in Flushing Meadows since 1978 and New York state since 1915. The oldest non-major (the Canadian Open) is also held in North America. Also established in 1881, the event is held in Montreal and Toronto every year.
The French Open, the European Open in Hamburg, and the Austrian Open in Kitzbühel were all established before 1900, as were the Monte-Carlo Masters and the Swiss Open. The Cincinnati Masters was first held in 1899, joining the US Open as one of the nine oldest tennis tournaments.
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