How ATP Rankings Work: Points, Race and Real Examples
A clear guide to understand the ATP ranking system, the difference between rankings and race, and how Grand Slams like the Australian Open impact the season.
Understanding the ATP ranking system is essential to truly follow professional tennis. Rankings determine tournament entries, seedings, and ultimately shape the entire season for every player on tour.
Yet many tennis fans still confuse ATP Rankings with the ATP Race, or do not fully understand how many points are awarded and defended throughout the year.
Using the Australian Open 2026 as a real example, this guide explains clearly how the system works in practice.
What are ATP Rankings?
ATP Rankings are a rolling 52-week system.
Every point a player earns remains valid for exactly one year.
This means players are constantly defending points earned in the same tournament the previous season.
If a player performed well at a tournament last year and fails to repeat the result, they lose points and drop in the rankings.
How many points do tournaments award?
Each tournament category gives a fixed number of points to the winner:
| Tournament | Winner Points |
|---|---|
| Grand Slam | 2000 |
| ATP Finals | 1500 (undefeated) |
| Masters 1000 | 1000 |
| ATP 500 | 500 |
| ATP 250 | 250 |
Grand Slams have the biggest impact on rankings, often reshaping the top positions in just two weeks.
You can learn more about the tournament structure in our complete guide to the Australian Open.
Real example: Australian Open 2026 impact
The Australian Open 2026 had a massive effect on the rankings.
- – Carlos Alcaraz gained 2000 points by winning the title;
- – The finalist added 1200 points;
- – Semifinalists earned 720 points.
For players who had reached the later stages in 2025 but lost earlier in 2026, the ranking drop was immediate and significant (as Jannik Sinner that lost 1280 points).
This is why early-season Grand Slams are so important: they can redefine the hierarchy of the tour.
What is the ATP Race?
The ATP Race is different from the rankings.
It counts only points earned from January of the current year and determines who qualifies for the ATP Finals.
While rankings reflect the past 12 months, the Race reflects who is performing best this season.
After the Australian Open, the Race already gives a first indication of who might qualify for Turin.
Rankings vs Seedings
Tournament seedings are based on ATP Rankings, not on the Race.
This is why a player can be very high in the Race but still have a lower seeding if they had poor results in the previous season.
Understanding this difference explains many surprising draws in Grand Slams.
Why rankings change so quickly early in the season
At the start of the year, players defend very large point totals from the previous Australian Open, Indian Wells, Miami and the clay season.
A single unexpected loss can cause dramatic ranking shifts.
This is exactly what happened to several top players after Melbourne in 2026.
Why this system makes tennis unique
Unlike many other sports, tennis has no fixed league table.
The ranking system creates constant pressure to perform and defend results week after week.
Every tournament matters, and every match can influence a player’s position.
Conclusion
The ATP ranking system may seem complex at first, but once understood, it adds a deeper layer of meaning to every tournament.
The Australian Open 2026 is a perfect real example of how quickly the hierarchy of the tour can change, and why following rankings and the Race helps fully understand the tennis season.