In tennis, the Grand Slams are the stage where the most epic stories are written, the most intense rivalries unfold, and the most unforgettable victories are achieved. For this reason, there are often several ways to secure a spot.

Behind the rackets and trophies, there is a lesser-known but equally fascinating route to these tournaments: the wild card, a special invitation that acts as a hidden card to participate in the events.

This allows an unqualified player to access the top without having to go through the traditional qualification stages. It’s the golden ticket that some fight hard to earn, while others simply receive it as a gift from fate.

What is a wild card in tennis?

In the world of tennis, a wild card is a special invitation that allows a player to participate in a tournament without having to go through the usual qualification process. This has happened on several occasions.

This invitation is granted by the tournament organizers and is based on various reasons, such as a player’s past performance, potential or even the ability to attract a larger audience or generate more media attention.

Wild cards are often given to players who do not have a high enough ranking to enter directly but have an interesting story or great appeal. Most players typically earn a spot in a Grand Slam through their ranking.

In addition to the traditional methods of entry, stars can receive a special invitation even if they do not meet the qualification requirements, and these are often given to promising young players or tennis legends.

Is it normal to receive a wild card in tennis?

Receiving a wild card in tennis is not extremely common, but it’s also not rare. Grand Slam tournaments typically grant a limited number of special invitations each year, most often to emerging talents.

Although it’s not something typical, it represents an important and strategic way to gain access to the most prestigious tournaments on the circuit. Many stars who have fallen have reentered the scene thanks to this opportunity.

The Grand Slams are the pinnacle of tennis, where dreams, glory and history converge. The Australian Open, Roland Garros, Wimbledon and the US Open are not just tournaments, but destinations that every tennis player aspires to conquer.

But how do players reach these legendary courts? The path to these most prestigious tournaments is not just about talent and skills, but also strategy, perseverance and a bit of luck.

From the battle for ranking points to the intense qualifying rounds, the journey to the main draw is full of challenges. Plus, we can’t forget the coveted wild cards, special invitations that can open the door to these iconic events.

How do tennis players qualify for Grand Slams?

Tennis players qualify for Grand Slam tournaments ((Australian Open, Roland Garros, Wimbledon and the US Open) through a combination of rankings, qualifying rounds, wild cards and, in some cases, protected rankings.

The most common path is through the ranking. Players with higher rankings, generally within the top 100 or 200 positions, gain direct entry into the main draw of each Grand Slam.

The exact cutoff varies by tournament, but players in the Top 100 are guaranteed entry. However, those outside the top positions have the opportunity to enter through the qualifying rounds.

In these rounds, players compete in a mini-tournament for a spot in the main draw. Usually, there are three qualifying rounds, and the winners earn their place in the main tournament.

Another path is to receive a wild card or special invitation, which is granted by the tournament organizers to players who, for various reasons, do not manage to qualify directly through their ranking or the qualifying rounds.

In some cases, players who have been injured and lost positions in the ranking can apply for a protected ranking, which allows them to enter the tournament based on their ranking before the injury.

Sometimes, there are also special exceptions that allow the entry of players who have performed well in other important tournaments or meet certain criteria set by the organizers. Although this is not very common, it can be another route.

Each year, the world’s best tennis players compete on the sport’s four most iconic stages. They battle not only for the glory and honor of lifting a Grand Slam trophy but also for a multimillion-dollar reward that reflects the level of competition.

In 2024, the US Open broke records with a total prize pool of $75 million. Wimbledon, always elegant, rewarded its champions with several million pounds, while Roland Garros, the jewel of clay courts, also allocated a significant sum.

Beyond the money, winning a title means engraving one’s name in tennis history, joining the elite of the sport’s greatest, and, of course, securing a considerable fortune along the way. So, how much do these champions actually earn?

How much prize money do Grand Slam winners get?

The cash prizes for Grand Slam winners vary each year, but recently, the champions of the most important tennis tournaments in the world receive significant amounts for their efforts and victories.

At the Australian Open, the winner of the men’s and women’s singles categories receives approximately 2.975 million Australian dollars, which is equivalent to around 1.9 million US dollars.

At the French Open (Roland Garros), the champions receive 2.3 million euros, which translates to about 2.5 million dollars. The prizes are usually quite substantial, helping to boost the reputation and fortunes of the players.

At Wimbledon, the prize for the singles champions is 2.35 million pounds, or about 3 million dollars. Finally, at the US Open, the individual category winners receive 3 million dollars.

Each of these tournaments also awards smaller prizes to the doubles and mixed doubles champions, which, while considerable, do not reach the same figures as those in the singles competitions, as reported.

The last 10 winners of each of the Grand Slam tournaments

Australian Open

Men

• 2025: Jannik Sinner (Italy) – $3.5 million
• 2024: Jannik Sinner (Italy) – $3.5 million
• 2023: Novak Djokovic (Serbia) – $2.975 million
• 2022: Rafael Nadal (Spain) – $2.875 million
• 2021: Novak Djokovic (Serbia) – $2.75 million
• 2020: Novak Djokovic (Serbia) – $2.75 million
• 2019: Novak Djokovic (Serbia) – $2.9 million
• 2018: Roger Federer (Switzerland) – $2.8 million
• 2017: Roger Federer (Switzerland) – $2.6 million
• 2016: Novak Djokovic (Serbia) – $2.1 million

Woman

• 2025: Madison Keys (USA) – $3.5 million
• 2024: Aryna Sabalenka (Belarus) – $3.5 million
• 2023: Aryna Sabalenka (Belarus) – $2.975 million
• 2022: Ashleigh Barty (Australia) – $2.875 million
• 2021: Naomi Osaka (Japan) – $2.75 million
• 2020: Sofia Kenin (USA) – $2.75 million
• 2019: Naomi Osaka (Japan) – $2.9 million
• 2018: Caroline Wozniacki (Denmark) – $2.8 million
• 2017: Serena Williams (USA) – $2.6 million
• 2016: Angelique Kerber (Germany) – $2.1 million

Roland Garros (French Open)

Men

• 2024: Carlos Alcaraz (Spain) – $2.6 million
• 2023: Novak Djokovic (Serbia) – $2.5 million
• 2022: Rafael Nadal (Spain) – $2.4 million
• 2021: Novak Djokovic (Serbia) – $1.7 million
• 2020: Rafael Nadal (Spain) – $1.9 million
• 2019: Rafael Nadal (Spain) – $2.6 million
• 2018: Rafael Nadal (Spain) – $2.5 million
• 2017: Rafael Nadal (Spain) – $2.4 million
• 2016: Novak Djokovic (Serbia) – $2.3 million
• 2015: Stan Wawrinka (Switzerland) – $2.0 million

Woman

• 2024: Iga Świątek (Poland) – $2.5 million
• 2023: Iga Świątek (Poland) – $2.5 million
• 2022: Iga Świątek (Poland) – $2.4 million
• 2021: Barbora Krejcikova (Czech Republic) – $1.6 million
• 2020: Iga Świątek (Poland) – $1.7 million
• 2019: Ashleigh Barty (Australia) – $2.5 million
• 2018: Simona Halep (Romania) – $2.4 million
• 2017: Jeļena Ostapenko (Latvia) – $2.3 million
• 2016: Garbiñe Muguruza (Spain) – $2 million
• 2015: Serena Williams (USA) – $2 million

Wimbledon

Men

• 2024: Carlos Alcaraz (Spain) – $3.43 million
• 2023: Novak Djokovic (Serbia) – $3.05 million
• 2022: Novak Djokovic (Serbia) – $2.7 million
• 2021: Novak Djokovic (Serbia) – $2.3 million
• 2020: Tournament canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic
• 2019: Novak Djokovic (Serbia) – $3.05 million
• 2018: Novak Djokovic (Serbia) – $2.95 million
• 2017: Roger Federer (Switzerland) – $2.85 million
• 2016: Andy Murray (United Kingdom) – $2.6 million
• 2015: Novak Djokovic (Serbia) – $2.4 million

Woman

• 2024: Barbora Krejčíková (Czech Republic) – $3.45 million
• 2023: Elena Rybakina (Kazakhstan) – $3.05 million
• 2022: Elena Rybakina (Kazakhstan) – $2.7 million
• 2021: Ashleigh Barty (Australia) – $2.3 million
• 2020: Tournament canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic
• 2019: Simona Halep (Romania) – $3.05 million
• 2018: Angelique Kerber (Germany) – $2.95 million
• 2017: Garbiñe Muguruza (Spain) – $2.85 million
• 2016: Serena Williams (USA) – $2.6 million
• 2015: Serena Williams (USA) – $2.4 million

US Open

Men

• 2024: Jannik Sinner (Italy) – $3.6 million
• 2023: Novak Djokovic (Serbia) – $3 million
• 2022: Carlos Alcaraz (Spain) – $2.6 million
• 2021: Daniil Medvedev (Russia) – $2.5 million
• 2020: Dominic Thiem (Austria) – $3 million
• 2019: Rafael Nadal (Spain) – $3.8 million
• 2018: Novak Djokovic (Serbia) – $3.8 million
• 2017: Rafael Nadal (Spain) – $3.7 million
• 2016: Stan Wawrinka (Switzerland) – $3.5 million
• 2015: Novak Djokovic (Serbia) – $3.3 million

Woman

• 2024: Aryna Sabalenka (Belarus) – $3.6 million
• 2023: Coco Gauff (USA) – $3 million
• 2022: Iga Świątek (Poland) – $2.6 million
• 2021: Emma Raducanu (Great Britain) – $2.5 million
• 2020: Naomi Osaka (Japan) – $3 million
• 2019: Bianca Andreescu (Canada) – $3.8 million
• 2018: Naomi Osaka (Japan) – $3.8 million
• 2017: Sloane Stephens (USA) – $3.7 million
• 2016: Angelique Kerber (Germany) – $3.5 million
• 2015: Flavia Pennetta (Italy) – $3.5 million

The quarterfinals of the 2023 French Open will have a great game between top players. It’s going to be Holger Rune challenging Casper Ruud today in a rivalry matchup for a place in the last four. Read more about the date, time and TV channel to watch or live stream the match for free.

[Watch Holger Rune vs Casper Ruud online free in the US on Fubo]

With the absence of Rafael Nadal new candidates emerged. Two obvious choices were Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz, but Rune appeared in the short list. So far, the Danish has met those expectations eliminating Christopher Eubanks, Gael Monfils by walkover, Genaro Olivieri, and Francisco Cerundolo in a five-set thriller that ended with a 10-7 in the super tiebreak.

Rune was another player that should be among those who could win Roland Garros. He was already a finalist last year, so he knows very well how to get to the final day. His path includes wins over Elias Ymer, Giulio Zeppieri, Zhang Zhizhen, and Nicolas Jarry. Their head-to-head has Ruud ahead 4-1, although Rune won the last meeting at the Italian Open on May 20.

When will Holger Rune vs Casper Ruud be played?

Holger Rune will meet Casper Ruud in the quarterfinals of the 2023 French Open this Wednesday, June 7. The game will be played at Court Philippe-Chatrier.

Holger Rune vs Casper Ruud: Time by State in the US

ET: 2:15 PM
CT: 1:15 PM
MT: 12:15 PM
PT: 11:15 AM
*Not before

How to watch Holger Rune vs Casper Ruud in the US

The game between Holger Rune and Casper Ruud in the quarterfinals of the 2023 French Open will be available to watch or live stream on Fubo (free trial) in the US. Tennis Channel is the other option.

Players who are especially competitive on clay always wait for the French Open. For the last 18 years the men’s draw has had a clear dominant in Rafael Nadal winning 14 times, so this edition will be something new considering his absence.

Nadal has been the top man to watch in Roland Garros, but this season there should be other names stepping up. Carlos Alcaraz could be the favorite as the highest seed, although Novak Djokovic will try to be alone at the top in Grand Slam titles winning one more.

In the women’s draw there should be an obvious player ahead of the rest like Iga Swiatek. The Polish has already won the French Open twice in his career. However, there might be others challenging her because she had to retire from the Italian Open a week ago with a physical issue.

French Open 2023: When does Roland Garros start?

There is tennis going on at the Stade Roland Garros these days, but those are the qualifiers. The main draw for men and women will start over the weekend. The 2023 French Open will begin on Sunday, May 28. While the champion in the women’s side will be determined on Saturday, June 10, the men’s final is scheduled for Sunday, June 11.

When is the draw for the 2023 French Open?

Something very important for the spectators is knowing where each player will land. For example, Djokovic could end up in the same half than Alcaraz because the Serbian appears as the third seed. That’s why it can be so meaningful for the tournament itself. The draw for the 2023 French Open will take place on Thursday, May 25, at 1:00 PM (ET).

The sport changed dramatically when Rafael Nadal became a professional tennis player. That didn’t take long to happen since he has been at the top from the beginning. Especially on clay he was just unstoppable.

Nadal reassured his enormous potential when he was only 19 years old. The day he turned that age he defeated non-other than Roger Federer in the semifinals of Roland Garros, but 48 hours later he was also winning the 2005 French Open. His dominance has been impressive with a combination of superior talent and a relentless spirit.

Unfortunately, injuries have limited him a lot during his career. This season has been another problematic year for him considering his last game was at the 2023 Australian Open back in January. He confirmed he will not be present in the second Grand Slam of the calendar, although that was not all.

Did Rafael Nadal retire?

On Thursday, May 18, he was part of a press conference he organized to share an update on his status for the upcoming French Open. The Spaniard said that he won’t play Roland Garros this year due to a hip injury. However, he gave another information that took most by surprise.

Nadal announced he plans to retire from tennis in 2024. The physical issues he has been dealing with made him decide to stop playing the sport. The 36-year-old player said he wants to play all the tournaments that made his career historic, so his intention is to return next year to leave on the court.

“You can´t keep demanding more and more from your body, because there comes a moment when your body raises a white flag. Even though your head wants to keep going, your body says this is as far as it goes. You never know how things will turn out, but my intention is that next year will be my last year. I don’t deserve to end my career like this, in a press conference”, Nadal said.

There is no denying that Rafael Nadal is in a short list of candidates to be named the best tennis player of all-time. His accolades have been consistent since he broke into the ATP Tour as a teenager with a competitive spirit like no other.

But he clearly made his status of legend in Roland Garros. That’s the first Grand Slam he won back in 2005 when he was just 19 years old. It is also the major event he dominated the most with a stunning record of 14 titles.

He had huge rivalries with Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, although injuries were the other factor that limited him. Nadal missed a lot of tournaments this year for that reason. The Spaniard has not played since the 2023 Australian Open, making an appearance at the French Open a bit unlikely.

Roland Garros 2023: Why is Rafael Nadal not playing at the 2023 French Open?

The big news came this Thursday from his own words. Yesterday he called for a press conference in his tennis Academy to give the fans an update that ended up being unfortunate for the sport. Nadal confirmed he will not play Roland Garros in 2023. Despite there was no confirmation before his public appearance, everything suggested he was going to miss the second Grand Slam of the season.

Nadal will not play the French Open because he has been dealing with an injury. He suffered a grade 2 lesion in the Iliacus Psoas of his left leg with the assumption he was going to miss six to eight weeks. However, the projection has not been on point since he has been out for four months. His last game was a loss to McKenzie McDonald on January 18.

When was the last time Rafael Nadal missed the French Open?

Injuries have forced the Spaniard to miss long periods of time during his career. But this tournament has been the big exception for what it means for him. The last time Rafael Nadal didn’t play the French Open was in 2004. He wasn’t an established player then because of his youth, so it wasn’t a surprise not seeing the Spaniard there. Not having him in this edition of Roland Garros will clearly be something uncommon after 18 consecutive years being in the main draw.