Grand Slams
The tennis Grand Slam calendar
The four Grand Slams are spread across the year, each in its own season and on its own surface. Knowing the running order helps you plan a trip, budget for tickets and decide which major suits you best. Here’s the calendar, from the January opener in Melbourne to the late-summer finale in New York.
The running order
The Slam season follows the same sequence every year. It opens with the Australian Open in January, moves to the French Open in late spring, reaches Wimbledon at the height of the European summer, and closes with the US Open as summer fades. Between them sit dozens of other tour events, but these four are the pillars the tennis year is built around. The dates below are typical windows — they shift slightly each season, so always confirm on each tournament’s official site.
The four majors through the year
| Order | Slam | Usual window | City | Surface |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Australian Open | January | Melbourne | Hard |
| 2 | French Open | Late May to early June | Paris | Clay |
| 3 | Wimbledon | Late June to mid-July | London | Grass |
| 4 | US Open | Late August to early September | New York | Hard |
Windows are indicative only. Exact start and end dates change from year to year — check the official sites.
How a Slam year unfolds
- 1
January — Australian Open
The season opens in the Melbourne summer heat, on hard courts, with night sessions and a festival feel.
- 2
May–June — French Open
The tour swings to the Paris clay for the most physical, attritional major of the four.
- 3
June–July — Wimbledon
Grass-court season peaks at the All England Club, with its whites, its Queue and its traditions.
- 4
Aug–Sep — US Open
The year closes in New York, on hard courts, under the floodlights at Flushing Meadows.
Planning tips
- Pick your Slam by surface and season as much as by location — a January trip to Melbourne is very different from July in London.
- The first week of any major is cheaper and easier to attend than the finals weekend.
- If you’re combining a Slam with a holiday, book travel and accommodation early, as host cities get busy.
- Never assume last year’s dates — confirm the current schedule on the official tournament site.