The oldest tennis championship is Wimbledon, first played in 1877 at the All England Croquet and Lawn Tennis Club. It began as a small men’s singles event and grew into the oldest of tennis’s four Grand Slam tournaments.
But Wimbledon is not the only long-running championship with roots in the 19th century. The US and Canadian championships both began in 1881, while several other familiar tournaments date back to the 1890s. The answer depends a little on whether you mean the oldest Grand Slam, the oldest event still played today, or the oldest tournament in a particular country.
The oldest tennis championships at a glance
| Championship or tournament | First held | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Wimbledon | 1877 | The oldest of the four Grand Slam tournaments |
| US National Championships | 1881 | Forerunner of today’s US Open; the first event was men’s singles |
| Canadian Championships | 1881 | Forerunner of today’s Canadian Open |
| Queen’s Club Championships | 1890 | A long-running grass-court tournament in London |
| French Championships | 1891 | Forerunner of the French Open; initially limited to players from French clubs |
| Hamburg Championships | 1892 | One of the oldest European tournaments still played |
| Monte Carlo Championships | 1897 | A historic clay-court tournament on the ATP Tour |
| Cincinnati Championships | 1899 | One of the oldest major US tournaments outside the Grand Slams |
Wimbledon: the oldest Grand Slam
The first Wimbledon tournament took place in 1877, when lawn tennis was still a new sport. The event had just one competition: Gentlemen’s Singles. Twenty-two players entered, and the final drew a crowd of around 200 people. Spencer Gore won the title.
Women’s singles and men’s doubles were added in 1884. The tournament later moved from its original Worple Road site to Church Road, where it has been held since 1922. Wimbledon is still played on grass, the surface that shaped early lawn tennis. Grass rewards a strong serve and quick reactions, though modern players also need the patience to build points from the baseline.
Wimbledon’s age is clear, but it has not been played every year without interruption. The tournament was canceled during both World Wars and in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Its claim is that it is the oldest championship, not that it has run continuously every year since its start.
The US and Canadian championships began in 1881
The US National Championships also started in 1881. The first edition was held at the Newport Casino in Rhode Island and was a men’s singles event. Women’s singles followed in 1887. Over time, the championship moved to New York and became the US Open, with its current home at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
Canada’s national championship began in the same year, making it one of the oldest surviving tournaments in the sport. It is now known as the Canadian Open. The tournament rotates between Toronto and Montreal, with the men’s and women’s events taking place in different cities in alternating years. That shared 1881 start is why historical lists may show the US and Canadian championships side by side.
How the French Open fits into the history
The French Championships were first held in 1891, but the early event was not yet the international clay-court major fans know today. Entry was initially limited to members of French clubs. In 1925, the tournament opened to international competitors, and the French Championships became a major stop for leading players from around the world.
The event was played at different Paris venues before moving to Roland-Garros in 1928. Its red clay makes it distinct from Wimbledon’s grass: points often last longer, and players must manage their movement carefully while building rallies. The French Open is therefore younger than Wimbledon and the US Open in its original form, even though its modern international format began later.
Other historic tournaments still on the calendar
Several tournaments outside the Grand Slams also have deep roots. Queen’s Club Championships began in 1890 and is traditionally played on grass before Wimbledon. It offers players a useful chance to adjust to the surface, where the ball tends to stay low and serves can be especially effective.
The Hamburg Championships date to 1892, while Monte Carlo’s tournament began in 1897. Both have long histories on clay. The Cincinnati tournament started in 1899 and has become an important hard-court event in the run-up to the US Open. Their formats, venues, and status have changed over time, so “founded” dates are more reliable than assuming each event has always looked the same.
Why tournament dates can be confusing
A championship’s first edition, its first international edition, and the beginning of its current name may all fall in different years. The French Championships are a good example: the competition began in 1891, but it became open to international players in 1925. The US National Championships also changed its name and location before becoming the US Open.
There have also been interruptions, venue changes, and shifts in who could enter. When comparing old tournaments, it helps to ask what a date refers to: the first event, the start of an open format, or the modern competition under its current name.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the oldest tennis championship in the world?
Wimbledon is generally recognized as the world’s oldest tennis championship. Its first tournament was held in 1877.
Which is the oldest Grand Slam tournament?
Wimbledon is the oldest Grand Slam. The US National Championships began in 1881, the French Championships in 1891, and the Australian Championships in 1905.
Are the US Open and Canadian Open the same age?
Their forerunner championships both began in 1881. The US National Championships and Canadian Championships have since developed into separate tournaments with different histories and venues.
Did Wimbledon take place every year after 1877?
No. It was canceled during the two World Wars and in 2020. It is the oldest championship by founding date, but it has not been held every single year.
Final Thoughts
Wimbledon, founded in 1877, is the oldest tennis championship and the oldest Grand Slam. The US and Canadian championships followed in 1881, with the French Championships arriving in 1891. Those dates tell the story of tennis’s growth from a new lawn sport into an international game—and the old tournaments remain a living part of the tour today.
