The world’s four most important annual professional tennis tournaments, collectively known as the Grand Slam, take place during the warmer months—so why not add a Major to your vacation plans?
The Northern Hemisphere’s summer season begins in Paris with the French Open, held this year May 25–June 8 at Stade Roland Garros. Widely regarded as the most physically demanding Grand Slam, the French Open is the only Major played on red clay. The ball bounces slower, higher and less predictably on the ochre surface, producing long, intense rallies that helped earn Rafael Nadal—who owns a record 14 Roland Garros titles—the nickname “King of Clay.”
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Next on the calendar is Wimbledon at London’s All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, June 30–July 13. First held in 1877, Wimbledon is the oldest tennis tournament in the world and is often considered the most prestigious. It stands out for both its celebrity spectators and its strict traditions: players are expected to bow or curtsy toward the Royal Box when entering or leaving Centre Court.
Wimbledon is also unique for its all-white dress code and for being the only Grand Slam played on hand-weeded grass courts. During the championships the grass is maintained to a precise 8-millimeter height, helping preserve the distinctive fast, low-bouncing conditions that reward skill at the net and quick footwork.
If you don’t secure tickets ahead of time, don’t worry: queuing is part of the Wimbledon experience. Fans camp out in organized lines, often pitching tents and creating a lively atmosphere. The tradition is governed by a detailed set of queuing etiquette rules that help keep the process orderly and part of the event’s charm.
The final Major of the summer is the US Open, played on acrylic hard courts at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, New York, Aug. 25–Sept. 7. Like the Australian Open—which takes place each January in Melbourne and is also contested on hard courts—the US Open delivers fast-paced action and dramatic matches. Founded in 1881, the US Open is one of America’s oldest major sporting events and is known for memorable showdowns, such as the 2001 match between Venus and Serena Williams. The tournament also boasts a lucrative prize pool, which reached a record $75 million last year.