ATP vs. WTA Tennis Tour Comparison Tool
Compare prize money differences between ATP (men's) and WTA (women's) professional tennis tours across different tournament types. The ATP and WTA operate as separate organizations with distinct prize structures.
Select a tournament type and click "Compare Prize Money" to see the differences.
When you hear "ATP," do you automatically think of men’s tennis? You’re not wrong-but the question "Is ATP only men’s tennis?" is worth answering fully, because the answer reveals how tennis is structured, who runs it, and why women’s tennis exists on a separate circuit.
What ATP Actually Stands For
ATP stands for Association of Tennis Professionals. It’s the governing body for men’s professional tennis worldwide. Founded in 1972 by players like Jack Kramer and Rod Laver, the ATP was created to give male tennis players more control over their tour, prize money, and scheduling. Before the ATP, players had little say in tournament rules or earnings. Now, the ATP manages over 60 tournaments annually, including the four Grand Slams (though those are run separately), the ATP Finals, and the entire ranking system for men’s singles and doubles.
The ATP doesn’t just organize events-it tracks player rankings, negotiates broadcast deals, and sets rules for equipment, dress codes, and match formats. Its structure is built around points: players earn ranking points based on how far they advance in tournaments. The player with the most points at the end of the year becomes the world No. 1.
Women’s Tennis Has Its Own Organization
While the ATP runs the men’s tour, women’s professional tennis is run by the WTA-the Women’s Tennis Association. Founded in 1973 by Billie Jean King and other female players, the WTA was created to fight for equal pay, better tournament conditions, and more visibility for women’s tennis. Today, the WTA runs over 50 tournaments, including the four Grand Slams, and manages the women’s singles and doubles rankings.
The WTA and ATP operate independently, with separate calendars, prize money structures, and governance. That’s why you don’t see Serena Williams or Iga Świątek competing in ATP events, and why Novak Djokovic or Carlos Alcaraz don’t play in WTA tournaments. It’s not about ability-it’s about organizational structure.
Why Are the Tours Separated?
You might wonder: if both men and women play tennis, why aren’t they on the same tour? The answer lies in history, physical differences, and business decisions.
Historically, men’s tennis was the dominant professional circuit in the early 20th century. When women started pushing for professional opportunities in the 1970s, they were often paid less, given worse courts, and treated as secondary. The WTA was formed to fix that imbalance. Separating the tours gave women’s tennis the autonomy to set its own standards, negotiate its own sponsorships, and build its own fanbase without being overshadowed.
Physically, men’s matches tend to be longer and more physically demanding due to faster serves and heavier groundstrokes. While women’s tennis is just as strategic and athletic, the average rally length and serve speed differ. These differences led to different scheduling formats-men play best-of-five sets in Grand Slams, while women play best-of-three. The ATP and WTA both agree this structure works for their respective tours.
There’s also a financial reality: sponsors, broadcasters, and ticket buyers have historically responded differently to men’s and women’s tennis. While that gap is shrinking-especially with stars like Iga Świątek and Coco Gauff drawing massive crowds-the tours still operate as separate commercial entities.
Do Men and Women Ever Play Together?
Not in official ATP or WTA events. But there are exceptions. Mixed doubles at Grand Slam tournaments brings men and women together on the same court. Players like Martina Navratilova and Bob Bryan have won multiple mixed doubles titles. These events are fun, fast-paced, and often highlight chemistry over power.
There are also exhibition matches. In 2019, Roger Federer and Serena Williams played a charity doubles match against each other. In 2023, a special event in Miami featured a mixed doubles match between Rafael Nadal and Iga Świątek. These aren’t competitive tournaments-they’re charity or promotional events. But they show that men and women can compete together, even if the professional tours stay separate.
Prize Money: Equal at Grand Slams, Not Everywhere Else
One of the biggest wins for women’s tennis came in 2007, when all four Grand Slam tournaments began offering equal prize money to men and women. That was a major victory for the WTA and a turning point in tennis history. Today, the US Open, Wimbledon, the Australian Open, and Roland Garros all pay identical amounts to the men’s and women’s champions.
But outside the Grand Slams, the gap remains. In 2024, the ATP Finals offered $15.5 million in prize money. The WTA Finals offered $5 million. Most ATP 500 and ATP 250 tournaments pay significantly more than their WTA equivalents. Why? Because the ATP tours draw larger audiences, especially in Asia and the Middle East, where men’s matches dominate ticket sales and TV ratings.
That doesn’t mean women’s tennis is less valuable-it means the market hasn’t caught up yet. But the WTA is growing fast. In 2024, the WTA had six of the top 10 most-followed athletes on social media, compared to just three for the ATP. Young stars like Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka are bringing in new fans every year.
What About Other Tournaments?
There’s no official ATP women’s tour. But there are mixed-gender events outside the ATP and WTA structures. The United Cup, launched in 2023, is a team-based tournament where countries send both male and female players to compete in the same event. It’s a hybrid format-men play singles, women play singles, and mixed doubles decide ties. It’s not part of the ATP or WTA rankings, but it’s becoming popular.
Also, junior tournaments and ITF events (International Tennis Federation) often have mixed draws. But once players turn professional, they enter either the ATP or WTA system-never both.
So, Is ATP Only Men’s Tennis?
Yes. The ATP is exclusively for men’s professional tennis. It was created by men, governed by men, and runs men’s tournaments. The WTA does the same for women. The two organizations are parallel, not competing. They’re both essential to the sport.
Calling the ATP "men’s tennis" isn’t exclusionary-it’s accurate. Just as the NFL doesn’t include women’s football, and the NBA doesn’t include women’s basketball, the ATP is designed for the men’s professional game. That doesn’t make women’s tennis less important. In fact, the WTA’s growth over the last decade proves that women’s tennis isn’t just surviving-it’s thriving.
If you’re watching a match and see the ATP logo, you’re watching men’s tennis. If you see the WTA logo, you’re watching women’s tennis. Both are world-class. Both deserve attention. And both are part of what makes tennis one of the most exciting sports on the planet.
Common Misconceptions
People often mix up the ATP and WTA because they see both on TV during Grand Slam season. But here’s what you need to remember:
- ATP = men’s singles and doubles rankings
- WTA = women’s singles and doubles rankings
- Grand Slams host both tours but don’t run them
- ATP Challenger Tour = next level below ATP for developing male players
- ITF Women’s World Tennis Tour = next level below WTA for developing female players
There’s no such thing as an "ATP women’s event." If you see one, it’s either a mixed doubles exhibition or a mistake.
What’s Next for ATP and WTA?
The future of tennis is about convergence-not merger. The ATP and WTA are working more closely than ever. They share tournament venues, use the same courts, and coordinate scheduling to avoid clashes. The United Cup is a step toward unified events. Some experts predict a joint marketing campaign or shared broadcast platform in the next five years.
But the tours will likely stay separate. Why? Because each has its own fanbase, sponsorships, and player needs. Trying to merge them could hurt both. The goal isn’t to make them the same-it’s to make them equally respected.
As a fan, you don’t need to choose one over the other. You can love both. Watch the ATP for powerful serves and long rallies. Watch the WTA for tactical brilliance and mental toughness. Both are elite. Both are professional. And both belong on your screen.
Is the ATP only for men's tennis?
Yes, the ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) is exclusively for men’s professional tennis. It governs the men’s singles and doubles rankings, tournaments, and rules. Women’s professional tennis is managed by the WTA (Women’s Tennis Association), which runs its own separate tour.
Can women play in ATP tournaments?
No, women cannot compete in official ATP tournaments. These events are open only to male players who are ranked on the ATP tour. Women play on the WTA tour, which has its own schedule, rankings, and events. Mixed doubles at Grand Slams is the only time men and women compete together in official play.
Why don't men and women play on the same tour?
Men’s and women’s tennis have been separate since the 1970s, when female players formed the WTA to fight for equal pay and better conditions. The tours differ in match formats (best-of-five vs. best-of-three), physical demands, and commercial structures. Keeping them separate allows each to grow independently and address their own needs without being overshadowed.
Do men and women get equal prize money?
At the four Grand Slam tournaments-Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open-men and women receive equal prize money. Outside of the Slams, prize money differs. ATP events typically offer higher purses than WTA events due to differences in viewership and sponsorship. But the WTA has made big gains in recent years, with top players now earning close to their male counterparts in many tournaments.
Is there a women’s version of the ATP?
Yes-the WTA (Women’s Tennis Association) is the direct counterpart to the ATP. It runs the women’s professional tour, including rankings, tournaments, and player development. The WTA was founded in 1973 and now oversees over 50 events worldwide, including the WTA Finals and the four Grand Slams (in partnership with the ITF).
Final Thoughts
If you’re new to tennis, it’s easy to assume the ATP covers all professional tennis. But the sport’s structure is more nuanced. The ATP and WTA aren’t rivals-they’re partners in growing the game. One isn’t better than the other. They’re just different sides of the same coin.
Next time you watch a match, check the logo. If it’s ATP, you’re watching men’s tennis. If it’s WTA, you’re watching women’s tennis. And if you’re lucky, you’ll catch both on the same weekend-because tennis, at its best, is about excellence, no matter the gender.
