Ranking is the engine of professional tennis – but the points system is what powers it.
Every match played on tour offers the opportunity to earn points, and these points determine how rankings change over time.
In every tournament, ranking points are awarded based on how far a player progresses.
The core principle is simple:
This means both performance and tournament level determine how many points a player earns.
Not all tournaments carry the same weight.
For example:
This means a big win at a major event can dramatically impact rankings, while smaller events build consistency.
Points are not only awarded to the champion – they are distributed throughout the tournament.
This means:
For many players, these incremental points are the foundation of their careers.
Because the ranking is based on a rolling 52-week system, players must defend their points.
This means:
A player who wins a tournament one year but loses early the next will lose ranking points.
The points system strongly influences how players plan their seasons.
They choose tournaments based on:
This makes even smaller tournaments strategically important.
The system rewards both:
Reaching and staying at the top requires both.
At the Nordea Open, valuable ranking points are at stake on both the ATP and WTA sides.
For many players, the tournament represents an opportunity to:
For established players, it can also be about defending points or strengthening their position in the rankings.
Every match therefore has significance beyond the tournament itself – influencing the wider season.
In the next part, we take a closer look at how players actually get into tournaments – from entry lists to qualifying and wild cards.
