Grand slam is the name given to four major professional tennis tournaments held annually. In the order in which they are played, the tournaments are the Australian Open, the French Open, the Championships (Wimbledon), and the US Open.
The idea of the grand slam dates back to the early 1900’s, when the major tournaments were known as the “big four.” The term “grand slam” came into use during the 1930’s. Only two men and three women players have won the grand slam—that is, all four tournaments—in singles competition in one calendar year. The men were Don Budge of the United States in 1938 and Rod Laver of Australia in 1962 and 1969. The women were Maureen Connolly of the United States in 1953, Margaret Smith Court of Australia in 1970, and Steffi Graf of West Germany in 1988. Other players have won the grand slam in men’s and women’s doubles and mixed doubles.
Three women won at least one of each of the grand slam tournaments over a two-year period, Martina Navratilova of the United States in 1983 and 1984, Steffi Graf in 1993 and 1994, and Serena Williams of the United States in 2002 and 2003. Several men and women have won career grand slams—that is, the four tournaments over the course of their career in either singles or doubles.
See also Australian Open; French Open; Wimbledon; US Open.
