The term Grand Slam in tennis has two related meanings:
- Technically, a Grand Slam is the achievement of winning all four major tennis championships in the same calendar year. These four majors are the Australian Open, the French Open (Roland Garros), Wimbledon, and the US Open
- The four major tournaments themselves are also commonly called Grand Slam tournaments or Majors. They are the most prestigious annual events in tennis, offering the most ranking points, prize money, and media attention
To clarify common usage and distinctions:
- Winning all four majors in a single calendar year is the true "Grand Slam" and is very rare.
- Winning all four majors consecutively but spanning two calendar years is called a non-calendar-year Grand Slam.
- Winning all four majors over the course of a career (not necessarily consecutively or in one year) is known as a Career Grand Slam
In summary, the Grand Slam is both the name for the four biggest tennis tournaments and, more specifically, the rare feat of winning all four in the same year
