Is ATP only for men's tennis? Here's the full breakdown

When you hear "ATP," do you automatically think of men’s tennis? You’re not wrong-but that’s only half the story. The ATP doesn’t just run men’s tennis. It’s the organization that runs the entire professional men’s tennis circuit. But it doesn’t run women’s tennis. That’s a different league, with its own name, its own history, and its own structure.

What does ATP actually stand for?

ATP stands for Association of Tennis Professionals. It was founded in 1972 by a group of players-including legends like Rod Laver and Jack Kramer-who wanted more control over the tournaments they played in. Before that, players had little say in prize money, scheduling, or rules. The ATP gave them a voice. Today, it manages over 600 tournaments across 70+ countries, including the four Grand Slams (though those are run by independent boards).

The ATP organizes the men’s professional tour: ATP Tour, ATP Challenger Tour, and ATP Champions Tour. It sets rankings, schedules events, and handles player contracts. The ATP Rankings-those weekly lists that show who’s #1-are the official measure of men’s tennis performance. If you’re watching Nadal, Djokovic, or Alcaraz compete, you’re watching ATP tennis.

So what about women’s tennis?

Women’s professional tennis runs on a completely separate system: the WTA-Women’s Tennis Association. Founded in 1973 by Billie Jean King and others, the WTA runs the same kind of structure as the ATP: WTA Tour, WTA 125 tournaments, and the WTA Rankings. The top women’s events include the same four Grand Slams, plus the WTA Finals and Premier tournaments.

Here’s the key difference: ATP = men. WTA = women. They’re not competing against each other. They don’t share the same rankings. They don’t even play on the same schedule most weeks. The Australian Open, Roland Garros, Wimbledon, and the US Open host both men’s and women’s events, but they’re separate tournaments under the same roof.

Why do people think ATP is all of tennis?

It’s partly history. Men’s tennis got professionalized earlier. The ATP was formed in 1972. The WTA didn’t launch until 1973. That one-year gap gave the ATP more early visibility. Also, media coverage has historically favored men’s matches. Big finals like Wimbledon or the US Open often get more airtime for the men’s singles, even when the women’s matches are just as competitive.

There’s also confusion because both organizations use similar branding. You’ll see "ATP 500" and "WTA 500" on TV graphics. Same number, different tours. If you’re not paying attention, it’s easy to assume they’re the same thing.

Are there any mixed events?

Not in the regular tour. But there are a few exceptions. The United Cup is a new team event (started in 2023) that mixes men and women from the same country. It’s not a ranking event, but it’s growing fast. Then there’s the Hopman Cup-though that ended in 2019. And some exhibition matches, like the Laver Cup, feature both men’s and women’s legends playing in the same weekend. But these are special events, not part of the official ATP or WTA circuits.

Do ATP and WTA work together at all?

Yes, but only on the Grand Slams. The four majors are run by the ITF (International Tennis Federation), not the ATP or WTA. But the ATP and WTA negotiate with the ITF on things like prize money, scheduling, and player commitments. In recent years, that’s led to big changes. For example, the US Open and Wimbledon now offer equal prize money for men and women. That wasn’t always the case. The WTA pushed hard for it, and the ATP eventually supported the change.

Can a man play in a WTA event? Or a woman in an ATP event?

No. The tours are strictly separated by gender. Entry is based on gender eligibility as defined by the ITF and the respective tours. There’s no crossover. Even in doubles, men and women play in separate events. Mixed doubles exists at the Grand Slams, but that’s a special category-teams are made up of one man and one woman, but they’re still competing in a separate draw from the singles or same-gender doubles.

What about junior or wheelchair tennis?

Junior tennis is run by the ITF, not the ATP or WTA. Wheelchair tennis has its own governing body: the ITF Wheelchair Tennis Tour. The ATP and WTA don’t manage those. But the Grand Slams do include wheelchair events alongside the main draws. So while the ATP doesn’t run them, it supports their inclusion in the majors.

Why does this matter?

If you’re a new fan, knowing the difference helps you understand what you’re watching. If you’re trying to follow a player’s career, you need to know whether they’re on the ATP or WTA tour. If you’re looking up rankings, match results, or tournament schedules, you have to search in the right place. Mixing them up leads to confusion.

It also matters for fairness. The ATP and WTA both fight for equal treatment, equal pay, and equal visibility. They’re not the same organization, but they share the same goals. Recognizing their separate roles doesn’t diminish either. It just makes the sport clearer.

What’s next for ATP and WTA?

Both organizations are pushing for more global growth. The ATP is expanding into new markets like India and Southeast Asia. The WTA is doing the same, with tournaments in China, the Middle East, and Latin America. They’re also investing more in digital platforms, player branding, and fan engagement. The lines between men’s and women’s tennis are blurring in terms of popularity-just not in structure.

And that’s okay. Separate doesn’t mean unequal. The ATP runs men’s tennis. The WTA runs women’s tennis. Together, they make up the full picture of professional tennis.