For example, the ATP has four tiers of events: Grand Slams, Masters 1000, ATP 500 and ATP 250. The farther you go in a tournament and the higher the tier, the more available rankings points AND prize money. At a grand slam, the winner receives 2,000 points (!!!)

In 2024, the prize money for the men's and women's singles winners at the U.S. Open was set at three million U.S. dollars each. The U.S. Open is one of four annual tennis tournaments known as the Majors or the Grand Slam tournaments.

During the US Open, since the inclusion of the professional tennis players, Jimmy Connors (1974, 1976, 1978, 1982–1983), Pete Sampras (1990, 1993, 1995–1996, 2002), and Roger Federer (2004–2008) have won the most championships, with five titles. Federer has had the most consecutive wins, with five (2004–2008).

Wimbledon is the oldest, founded in 1877, followed by the US in 1881, the French in 1891, and the Australian in 1905. The sport of tennis is defined by these four major championships or “the Grand Slams”.