A first-round loss can be worth 10 ranking points at a Grand Slam, but it may earn nothing at a smaller ATP event. The number depends on the tour, the tournament level and the draw format—not just on the fact that a player lost their opening match.
Here’s a practical guide to how first-round tennis ranking points work on the ATP and WTA tours, including what happens after a bye, a qualifying match or a walkover. Point tables can be revised, so check the current tournament rules if you need the exact figure for a specific event.
How many ranking points do you get for a first-round loss?
For the main draw, a player who loses their first match will commonly receive 10 points at a Grand Slam or a top-tier 1000-level event. At smaller events, the award is different: ATP players generally receive 0 points for a first-round loss at a 500 or 250 tournament, while WTA players typically receive 1 point at 500 and 250 events.
| Tournament level | ATP first-round loss | WTA first-round loss |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Slam | 10 points | 10 points |
| Masters 1000 / WTA 1000 | Usually 10 points | Usually 10 points |
| ATP 500 / WTA 500 | 0 points | Typically 1 point |
| ATP 250 / WTA 250 | 0 points | Typically 1 point |
These are main-draw examples, not a universal rule for every event. Draw size and tournament regulations can affect the points awarded, especially at lower-level tournaments and in qualifying.
Why a Grand Slam first-round loss earns points
At the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and US Open, reaching the main draw is a major achievement. The ranking scale awards points even to players who lose in the opening round. Under the current standard Grand Slam scale, a first-round loser receives 10 points.
That can matter to a player near the edge of direct entry into future tournaments. A few points might not cause a dramatic ranking jump, but they can help in a close race for a qualifying spot or a place in a particular draw. Players who win a round earn more: the points increase as they progress.
The same basic idea applies at 1000-level events. These tournaments have large, strong draws, and first-round losers commonly receive 10 points. The precise round label can vary with the draw: in a 96-player event, for example, some players receive a bye and enter in a later round.
Why ATP and WTA points differ at smaller events
At ATP 500 and 250 tournaments, a player who loses in the opening round generally gets 0 ranking points. On the WTA Tour, a first-round loss at a 500 or 250 event typically earns 1 point. It’s a small award, but it means the same early exit can have a slightly different ranking value depending on the tour.
Also, “first round” can mean different things in a draw. In a 32-player draw, a player’s first match is often the round of 32. In a larger draw with byes, some players begin later. Points depend on the stage a player reaches under that event’s scoring table—not on how many matches they personally played.
Does a bye count as a win?
No. A bye means a player does not have to play in that round; it is not a match victory. But the player can still receive the points associated with reaching the next stage. This is why a seeded player who starts in round two may have points credited without having won a round-one match.
For example, imagine a seeded player receives a first-round bye at a tournament. They lose their first match in round two. Their points are based on the stage where they exited, with the bye accounted for under that event’s rules. That is different from losing an opening match in a draw where everyone starts in round one.
Qualifying points are separate
Qualifying is not the same as the main draw. A player may earn ranking points by winning qualifying matches, and the amount depends on the event and how far they advance. A player who loses in qualifying should not assume they receive the same points as someone who loses in the first round of the main draw.
Qualifiers who reach the main draw are scored according to the tournament’s rules for qualifiers. Wild cards, too, can earn ranking points by winning matches; they do not receive points just for being given a place in the draw. Always check the event’s point table when the distinction matters.
Ranking points are not prize money
A first-round loser may receive prize money even when their ranking points are low or zero. Prize money pays for competing and depends on the tournament’s financial schedule. Ranking points measure results for the standings. They are separate systems, so “I got paid for playing” does not necessarily mean “I earned ranking points.”
Points also do not stay on a player’s record forever. Rankings generally reflect results from the previous 52 weeks, so points from an event eventually come off. Players must keep producing results to hold or improve their positions. In addition, tours use rules about which tournament results count toward a player’s ranking, so not every result necessarily adds to the total in the same way.
A simple example
Suppose two players both lose their first main-draw match in the same week. One exits the first round of a Grand Slam; the other loses in round one of an ATP 250. The Grand Slam player receives 10 ranking points, while the ATP 250 player typically receives 0. If the second player were competing in a WTA 250 instead, a first-round loss would typically be worth 1 point.
That difference is why it’s useful to look up the tournament tier before judging what an early exit means for a player’s ranking. The result may look identical on the scoreboard, but its ranking value can be quite different.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you get ranking points for losing in the first round of a Grand Slam?
Yes. A first-round main-draw loss at a Grand Slam is worth 10 ranking points for both ATP and WTA players under the standard points scale.
Do ATP players get points for a first-round loss at a 250 tournament?
Usually not. An ATP player who loses their opening main-draw match at a 250 event typically earns 0 ranking points. The WTA first-round award at a 250 event is typically 1 point.
Does a bye earn ranking points?
A bye is not a win, but a player can receive points for reaching the next stage. The exact credit depends on the event’s draw and scoring rules.
Are ranking points and prize money the same thing?
No. Prize money is payment for competing, while ranking points affect a player’s position in the standings. A player can receive prize money for an early exit without earning ranking points.
Final Thoughts
For a first-round loss, the quick guide is 10 points at a Grand Slam, usually 10 at a 1000-level event, 0 at an ATP 500 or 250, and typically 1 at a WTA 500 or 250. Draw format, byes and qualifying can change how a result is recorded, so use the tournament’s current points table for an exact answer.
