Does ATP Only Govern Men's Tennis? Explained

Quick Takeaways

• ATP runs the men’s professional circuit, but it’s not the only global tennis body.
• Women’s tennis has its own governing tour - the WTA.
• Both tours share the four Grand Slams, which are overseen by the ITF.
• Ranking systems, prize money, and tournament tiers differ between ATP and WTA.
• Understanding the structure helps you follow the sport better, whether you’re a casual fan or a stats‑hungry nerd.

When you hear the acronym ATP is the Association of Tennis Professionals, the body that runs the men’s professional circuit worldwide, it’s easy to assume it covers all pro tennis. In reality, the landscape is split between men’s and women’s tours, each with its own hierarchy, rankings, and prize structures. Let’s break down exactly what ATP does, why it’s limited to men, and how the women’s side fits into the picture.

What the ATP Actually Is

The ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) was founded in 1972 by a group of male players who wanted a unified voice in negotiations with tournament promoters and the International Tennis Federation (ITF). Its core mission is to organize, promote, and regulate the professional men’s tour.

Key responsibilities include:

• Creating the calendar of ATP Tour events (250, 500, and Masters1000 categories).
• Running the ATP Challenger Tour, which serves as a bridge between Futures events and the main tour.
• Maintaining the ATP Rankings, a points‑based system that determines entry and seeding for tournaments.
• Negotiating prize‑money distribution, TV rights, and player welfare issues.

Because the ATP was built by male players, its charter explicitly focuses on men’s competition. That’s why you’ll never see an ATP‑sanctioned women’s event.

Is ATP Only for Men? The Straight Answer

Yes. The ATP governs only the men’s professional tour. All official ATP tournaments - from the 250-level stops in smaller cities to the high‑profile Masters1000 events in Miami, Madrid, and Shanghai - feature male players exclusively.

If you attend an ATP‑branded event, you’ll hear the announcer talk about “ATP points” and “ATP rankings.” The women’s counterpart has its own branding, which we’ll explore next.

The Women’s Counterpart: WTA

Parallel to the ATP, the WTA (Women’s Tennis Association) was created in 1973 by Billie Jean King and fellow trailblazers. Its mandate mirrors the ATP’s but focuses on women’s professional tennis.

WTA responsibilities include:

• Scheduling the WTA Tour (WTA 250, 500, and 1000 tiers).
• Running the WTA 125K Series, which is roughly equivalent to the ATP Challenger Tour.
• Maintaining the WTA Rankings, which determine direct entry and seedings for all WTA events.
• Negotiating sponsorship deals, prize‑money pools, and broadcasting contracts for women’s tennis.

Because the WTA is independent, you’ll find distinct branding, separate prize‑money structures, and occasionally different tournament dates from the ATP.

Where the Two Tours Overlap

Even though ATP and WTA run separate circuits, they converge at the four Grand Slam tournaments: Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open. These events are organized by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and award both ATP and WTA ranking points.

Other overlapping competitions include:

• The Davis Cup - men’s national team competition, run by the ITF.
• The Billie Jean King Cup (formerly Fed Cup) - women’s national team competition, also ITF‑run.

These team events are not part of either the ATP or WTA calendars, but they still affect player rankings and season narratives.

Tour Structure: From Futures to Masters

Both tours have a tiered tournament system, but the naming and points differ.

The Challenger Tour (men) and the 125K Series (women) act as stepping‑stones for up‑and‑coming players. Winners earn valuable ranking points that can catapult them into the main tour.

Ranking Systems: How Points are Awarded

Both ATP and WTA use 52‑week rolling points, but the exact distribution varies. For example, winning an ATP Masters 1000 nets 1000 points, while a WTA 1000 victory also gives 1000 points - but the depth of points for earlier rounds can differ slightly due to draw sizes.

Both rankings are crucial for:

• Direct entry into tournaments (no qualifying rounds needed).
• Seeding, which determines who you might face in early rounds.
• Eligibility for season‑ending championships - ATP Finals (men) and WTA Finals (women).

Prize Money: A Quick Snapshot

Prize money has steadily risen on both tours, but the gap still exists in many events. In 2024, the average total purse for an ATP 500 tournament was about US$2.5million, whereas a WTA 500 event averaged US$2.2million. Grand Slam purses are equal - both genders receive the same championship money, a policy the ITF introduced in 2007.

Common Misconceptions

1. “All professional tennis is under the ATP.” - False. Women’s tennis operates under the WTA, and the ITF governs the Grand Slams and national team events.
2. “The ATP handles coaching and officiating.” - No. While the ATP sets player‑related rules, officiating standards are a joint effort with the ITF.
3. “ATP rankings are the only rankings that matter.” - Incorrect. For women, the WTA rankings are the definitive metric, and the ITF also maintains a junior and senior ranking system.

Mini‑FAQ

Takeaway Checklist

• ATP = men’s professional tour; WTA = women’s professional tour.
• Both tours feed into the same four Grand Slam events, run by the ITF.
• Ranking systems are parallel but separate.
• Prize money is increasingly equal at the highest level, but differences remain at lower tiers.
• Understanding the split helps you follow player schedules, rankings, and the business side of tennis.

So the short answer to the headline question is: ATP men’s tennis only covers men’s events. The women’s side has its own robust structure under the WTA, and the ITF ties everything together at the Grand Slams and team competitions. Knowing who runs what makes watching the sport a lot less confusing and a lot more fun.