What is the ATP?
The ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) is the governing body of men's professional tennis: it owns and operates the ATP Tour — the top level of the men's game outside the Grand Slams — the ATP Challenger Tour beneath it, and the ATP Rankings that order the sport.[1] [2]
What does the ATP govern?
The ATP Tour calendar — Masters 1000, 500 and 250 events across the globe, crowned by the year-end ATP Finals — plus tour rules, player and tournament membership, and the weekly ATP Rankings and Race. The tour is jointly governed by player and tournament representatives on its board.[1] [2]
Since when does the ATP exist?
Founded in 1972 by the leading players of the early Open Era to represent professionals, the ATP introduced its computer rankings in 1973 and has run the men's worldwide tour under its own name since 1990.[2] Andrea Gaudenzi has chaired the ATP since 2020 and was re-elected in February 2026 to a term through 2028.[3]
Why does the ATP matter?
The ATP Rankings are the objective merit ladder of men's tennis — updated weekly since 1973, they decide tournament entry, seeding and year-end honors, and an ATP ranking is the standard measure of a male player's standing in the sport.[1] [2] ATP Tour titles, Masters 1000 crowns and Finals qualification are among tennis's premier achievements outside the Slams.[1]
References
- ATP Tour — official site. Accessed August 2026.
- Wikipedia — Association of Tennis Professionals (background). Accessed August 2026.
- ATP — Andrea Gaudenzi re-elected as Chairman through 2028. Accessed August 2026.