Winning through qualifying can add more than a place in the main draw. At many professional tournaments, a player earns ranking points for reaching or winning qualifying rounds, then can earn more by progressing in the main draw. The exact total depends on the tour, tournament level and round reached.
The key detail is that qualifying points are not a bonus for every match added together. They are usually based on the qualifying stage a player reaches, and a player who makes the main draw can also earn points for the main-draw result. Here’s how to read the system and what it means for a player’s ranking.
Do tennis players get ranking points after qualifying?
Often, yes. On the ATP Tour, players can earn qualifying points even if they lose before reaching the main draw. A player who qualifies can also receive qualifying points, then earn additional points for their result in the main draw. So a qualifier who loses in the first round may finish with more points than a direct entrant who also loses in the first round.
That does not mean every event awards the same number of points. Grand Slams and tour events have different qualifying structures and point scales. WTA points are also governed by their own tables, so ATP figures should not be applied to women’s tournaments.
ATP qualifying points by tournament level
The table below shows the familiar ATP qualifying-point scale. It lists the points associated with the qualifying stage reached, not points to add together for every qualifying match won. For example, a player who wins two rounds to reach the final round of qualifying is not awarded the Q1 points plus the Q2 points plus the Q3 points.
| Tournament level | Qualifying points by stage reached |
|---|---|
| Grand Slam | Q1: 8; Q2: 16; Q3: 25 |
| ATP Masters 1000 | Q1: 8; Q2: 16 |
| ATP 500 | Q1: 4; Q2: 10 |
| ATP 250 | Q1: 3; Q2: 5 |
These figures are a guide to the ATP scale, not a substitute for the current rules for a particular event. Tournament formats and ranking regulations can change, and some events have special arrangements. Check the event’s official points table if you need an exact total for a specific tournament or season.
How many points does a qualifier finish with?
Think of a qualifier’s total in two parts: the qualifying result and the main-draw result. If a player reaches the final qualifying round at an ATP 250 and wins through, the qualifying-stage value is generally 5 points. If that player then loses in the first round of the main draw, the main-draw points for that round are added separately. The exact first-round value depends on the event and its draw structure.
Now compare that with a player who loses in the last round of qualifying. That player does not enter the main draw, but can still take away the points attached to reaching that qualifying stage. The qualifier has the chance to earn more because they get to play in the main draw; qualifying itself does not guarantee a large ranking jump.
Points matter most when a player is near a ranking cutoff. A handful of points can affect entry into a future tournament, a qualifying draw or a seeded position. For a top player, a small qualifying total may barely change their ranking. For someone climbing through the lower tiers, it can help build momentum across a season.
Do qualifying points count toward the world ranking?
Yes, when the tournament awards them under its tour rules, qualifying points count toward a player’s ranking total. They are not a separate type of ranking that only rewards main-draw wins. Like other results, they contribute to the rolling ranking calculation and eventually fall away under the tour’s ranking schedule.
Rankings are not simply a lifetime points tally. Players need to keep replacing older results with new ones. That is why a qualifier can gain points one week but still drop in the rankings later if a stronger result from the previous year comes off their record.
How the system differs on the WTA Tour
The basic idea is similar on the WTA Tour: qualifying can contribute to a player’s ranking, and reaching the main draw creates another opportunity to earn points. But WTA point values and event rules are not interchangeable with ATP values. They can also depend on the tournament category and the player’s result.
For a women’s event, use the WTA’s current ranking-point table or the tournament’s official draw information rather than copying the ATP table above. This is especially important when comparing Grand Slams with regular tour events, since their draw sizes and point distributions differ.
What can affect the final points total?
- Event category: A Grand Slam, Masters 1000 and 250-level event do not use the same point scale.
- How far the player gets: Reaching a later qualifying round usually carries more qualifying points than exiting earlier.
- Main-draw progress: A qualifier can add main-draw points by winning matches after qualifying.
- Tour rules and season: Point tables can be revised, so older articles or screenshots may not match the current rules.
- Ranking calculation: Points count within a rolling ranking period; they do not stay on a player’s record forever.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do players get ranking points if they lose in qualifying?
They may. On the ATP Tour, qualifying points are awarded according to the stage reached at many events, even if the player loses before the main draw. The amount depends on the event level and qualifying round.
Does a player who qualifies get qualifying points as well as main-draw points?
Generally, yes on the ATP Tour: the qualifying-stage points and the points earned for the main-draw result are separate parts of the total. Check the event’s current rules for the exact calculation.
Are qualifying points the same on the ATP and WTA Tours?
No. The tours have separate ranking systems and point tables. Use the relevant tour’s official table for the event in question.
Do qualifying points count toward the same ranking as main-draw points?
When awarded, they contribute to the player’s regular tour ranking total. They are subject to the ranking system’s rolling time period, just like other tournament results.
Final Thoughts
Qualifying can earn ranking points, but the total depends on the tour, event level and stage reached. On the ATP Tour, a player can collect qualifying points before adding any points earned in the main draw. For an exact figure, check the current points table for that tournament—and remember that qualifying points are based on the stage reached, not a simple sum of every qualifying round.
