What's the next tennis tournament after Wimbledon?

Wimbledon ends in early July, and for tennis fans, the quiet that follows feels strange. The grass turns brown, the strawberries are gone, and the roar of the crowd fades. But the sport doesn’t stop. The next big event after Wimbledon isn’t just another tournament-it’s the start of a new chapter in the season, and it’s bigger than most people realize.

The US Open kicks off just six weeks after Wimbledon

The very next Grand Slam after Wimbledon is the US Open. It starts in late August, usually the last Monday of the month, and runs for two weeks. In 2025, that means the tournament begins on August 25 and ends on September 7. Flushing Meadows in New York becomes the center of the tennis world, with hard courts replacing grass, night sessions lighting up the stadium, and players shifting their game to handle faster surfaces and hotter weather.

Unlike Wimbledon, which plays by tradition-no ads on court, no roof on Centre Court until 2019-the US Open embraces modernity. The Arthur Ashe Stadium has a retractable roof, matches go on past midnight, and the crowd is loud, diverse, and electric. Players who thrive on power and aggression often shine here. Think Serena Williams in her prime, or Jannik Sinner smashing winners from the baseline.

After Wimbledon, top players take a short break-usually just a week or two-before jumping into the North American hard court swing. That’s when the US Open build-up really starts.

The road to the US Open: the North American hard court swing

Wimbledon doesn’t just lead directly to the US Open. There’s a whole circuit in between. The ATP and WTA tours have a series of tournaments that act as warm-ups. These events help players adjust from grass to hard courts, fix their game after Wimbledon, and earn crucial ranking points before the Grand Slam.

Here’s what the schedule looks like right after Wimbledon in 2025:

1. Washington Open (ATP 500 / WTA 500) - Starts August 5. Held in D.C., this event is a favorite for American players. It’s played on hard courts and often features top 10 stars looking to fine-tune their form.
2. Western & Southern Open (Cincinnati Masters - ATP 1000 / WTA 1000) - Starts August 12. This is the biggest tune-up before the US Open. Almost every top player enters. The conditions here are almost identical to Flushing Meadows: same court speed, same heat, same crowd energy.
3. Canadian Open (Rogers Cup - ATP 1000 / WTA 1000) - Starts August 19. Held in Montreal or Toronto, alternating each year. In 2025, it’s in Toronto. This tournament often sees big upsets because players are still adjusting after Wimbledon, and fatigue sets in.

These three events are not just filler. They’re critical. Players who win Cincinnati or Toronto often carry momentum into the US Open. In 2023, Carlos Alcaraz won Cincinnati and then took the US Open title. In 2022, Iga Świątek won Toronto and went on to win the US Open without dropping a set.

Why the transition from grass to hard court matters

Switching from Wimbledon’s slow, low-bouncing grass to the fast, high-bouncing hard courts of the US Open isn’t just about gear-it’s about physics, strategy, and fitness.

On grass, rallies are short. Serve-and-volley still works. Players rely on slice, touch, and timing. On hard courts, especially in New York, the ball skids and kicks up. Power becomes king. Players need explosive legs to cover the court, strong shoulders to hit through the ball, and endurance to play three-hour matches under the lights.

Players who dominate at Wimbledon but struggle on hard courts often disappear from the US Open early. Think of Marion Bartoli in 2013-she won Wimbledon, then lost in the second round at the US Open. Meanwhile, players like Novak Djokovic and Ashleigh Barty use the hard court swing to rebuild their rhythm after the slower grass.

Coaches often tell players to start practicing on hard courts just days after Wimbledon ends. They switch racquets, adjust string tension, and work on their footwork drills. It’s not a luxury-it’s a necessity.

What happens to the players who don’t play the US Open?

Not everyone heads to New York. Some players skip the North American swing entirely. Why?

• Injury recovery: After six weeks of intense matches on grass, knees and ankles take a beating. Players like Rafael Nadal and Simona Halep often take extended breaks after Wimbledon.
• Ranking protection: If a player didn’t do well at Wimbledon the year before, they might skip the US Open to avoid losing points.
• Family or personal reasons: The tour is grueling. Some players use the gap to rest, travel, or recharge mentally.
• Focus on other surfaces: Some players, especially those who excel on clay or indoor hard courts, use the post-Wimbledon break to train for the Asian swing later in the year.

But skipping the US Open is risky. It’s the last Grand Slam of the year, and the prize money is huge-over $10 million total. Losing out on those points can drop a player out of the top 10. For those chasing year-end rankings or a spot in the ATP/WTA Finals, it’s not an option.

The women’s game and the US Open: a different story

The women’s tour has seen a shift in recent years. More players are now prioritizing the US Open over other events. The WTA schedule is tighter, and the prize money is more evenly distributed. In 2024, 9 of the top 10 women’s players entered the US Open. Only two skipped it entirely.

Players like Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka use the hard court swing to build confidence. Gauff, who won the US Open in 2023, said after Wimbledon that she spent the next 10 days working on her return of serve and her net approach-skills that don’t translate well from grass.

The US Open is also the only Grand Slam that allows coaching during matches. That rule alone changes strategy. Players who work well with their coaches on the sideline often gain an edge.

What’s after the US Open?

Once the US Open ends, the tennis calendar doesn’t slow down. The Asian swing begins in early September with tournaments in Beijing, Wuhan, and Tokyo. Then comes the European indoor season, leading into the ATP and WTA Finals in November.

But for most fans, the US Open is the true successor to Wimbledon. It’s where champions are made, where comebacks happen, and where the season’s biggest storylines unfold.

Who to watch in the 2025 US Open

Based on 2024 results and early 2025 form, here are the top names to follow:

• Carlos Alcaraz: The reigning US Open champion. His power and movement on hard courts are unmatched.
• Iga Świątek: The world No. 1. She’s won three of the last four majors. If she’s healthy, she’s the favorite.
• Jannik Sinner: A rising force. He’s improved his consistency on hard courts and could challenge for his first Grand Slam title outside the Australian Open.
• Coco Gauff: The home favorite. She plays with heart, and New York fans love her.
• Aryna Sabalenka: She’s won two majors in 2024. Her serve and aggression make her dangerous on any surface.

The US Open isn’t just the next tournament after Wimbledon. It’s the moment the season shifts gears. It’s where the grass gives way to concrete, where the quiet turns to chaos, and where legends are forged.