Tennis’ four Grand Slam tournaments – the Australian Open, Roland Garros, Wimbledon and the US Open – are recognized as the premier events in the sport. Though each tournament is unique in its own way, each serves to showcase the best of tennis and its myriad professional stars to a world-wide audience while also generating revenue to promote the growth of the sport at home and around the world. These four events represent the major mileposts of each year on the tennis calendar, and together, they represent a significant part of the history of the sport and its remarkable growth on a global scale.
The Grand Slam Board (“GSB”) is responsible for the coordination and management of activities of mutual interest to the four Grand Slam tournaments. These activities include: Grand Slam Tournament Rules, Regulations and Code of Conduct, Officiating, Tournament Calendars and relationships with governing bodies and third parties. Through the Grand Slam Board, each Grand Slam is able to focus on ensuring the success of their individual tournament while at the same time collectively recognizing the importance of the need to promote the health and growth of tennis throughout the world.
This investment in tennis, and in particular professional tennis, is a fundamental part of the Grand Slam tournament ethic. As not-for-profit organizations, all profits from the commercial success of the four tournaments are reinvested into the sport – through improvements to facilities, national and international player development, and through funding hundreds of other professional tournaments worldwide.
The Grand Slam Board and the Grand Slam tournaments are committed to promoting the highest standards of sporting excellence and integrity in tennis. From its inception, the Grand Slam Board has promoted the principle of independent officiating and enforced a consistent set of Rules and Code of Conduct for Players to maintain the integrity of the individual competitions and the sport.
As part of the individual and collective commitment to the continued growth and well-being of the game, each Grand Slam tournament recently significantly increased prize money associated with its tournament for lower-ranked players to help sustain and advance their careers.
The Grand Slam tournaments are represented and participate on the Anti-Doping Working Group which oversees the Tennis Anti-Doping Program administered by the ITF and also are represented as a constituency on the Tennis Integrity Board which is responsible for the Tennis Anti-Corruption Program.
The Grand Slam tournaments offer an unparalleled, world-class sporting experience for tennis fans and athletes alike. The Grand Slam Board is committed to helping preserve the history and heritage of the sport and to build on the heritage to ensure a positive, dynamic future for international tennis.
The members of the Grand Slam Board are the Chairmen and Executives of the four Grand Slam tournaments as well as the ITF President.