What are the differences between the ATP and the WTA?

Anyone who watches a tennis match every now and then has probably heard of the ATP and WTA. But what exactly do these abbreviations mean? What are the differences between the ATP and the WTA, and why are there two separate organizations within the same sport at all? Sjeng Sports breaks down the key differences between the ATP and the WTA, so you'll know exactly what they're talking about the next time you hear them on TV! 

About the ATP and the WTA 

The ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) and the WTA ( Women's Tennis Association) are the two most important organizations in professional tennis. The ATP is responsible for the men's competition, while the WTA focuses on the women's. Both organizations organize their own tournaments, which are, however, quite similar. For example, the ATP has different tournament categories, such as the ATP 250, ATP 500, ATP 1000 Masters, and the Grand Slams , while the WTA organizes the same "type" of tournaments: the WTA 250, WTA 500, WTA 1000, and the Grand Slams . 

In addition, both circuits have the same season finale: the WTA Finals and the ATP Finals . 

Nevertheless, there are some important differences. We'll explain these differences between the ATP and the WTA below. 

History and foundation

The ATP was founded in 1972 with the goal of representing the interests of male tennis players and creating a more professional circuit. The WTA followed in 1973 under the leadership of Billie Jean King, who strove for greater equality and better opportunities for female tennis players. Since then, both organizations have built and developed their own competition structures. 

Points and ranking system

Another key difference lies in the ranking system. Both organizations use a points system to determine which players top the world rankings. However, the way the points are awarded differs slightly. The ATP ranking is based on players' performances over the past 52 weeks. Players earn points based on how far they advance in tournaments, with the most points earned during Grand Slams and ATP Masters 1000 tournaments. The WTA works in a similar way, but the distribution of points may differ slightly from the ATP for each tournament category. 

Prize money and popularity

A topic often discussed in the tennis world is the prize money distribution and popularity between the ATP and WTA. While the four Grand Slam tournaments now offer equal prize money for men and women, this isn't always the case at other tournaments. Generally, ATP events attract larger audiences than WTA events. This, in turn, influences (the size and scope of) sponsorship deals and media coverage. 

Playing style and physical differences 

While tennis is essentially the same sport for both men and women, there are subtle differences between men's and women's tennis. For example, ATP matches are often more physically demanding and feature longer rallies, where strength and speed play a major role. In the WTA, the game typically revolves more around technique and strategy, with speed and precision being key. Another significant and demonstrable difference is that men play a best-of-five-sets format at Grand Slam tournaments, while women use a best-of- three -sets format.