What is it called if you win all 4 Grand Slams? Winning all four Grand Slam tournaments in tennis (Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open) in a single calendar year is referred to as a “Grand Slam” in tennis. This is often also called a “Calendar Grand Slam” to distinguish it from winning all four titles at any point in a player’s career. Achieving a Calendar Grand Slam is a rare and prestigious accomplishment in the sport of tennis.
First, let’s see what the 4 major tournaments are:
- The Australian Open
- Roland Garros ( French Open)
- Wimbledon
- The US Open
These four are the major/biggest tournaments in a calendar year.
Because of the usage of the wrong lingo, they are called as Grand Slams. But a Grand Slam is a feat that is achieved when a player wins all the four major tournaments. Not necessarily in the same year though, but winning all the four is a must to call him/her a Grand Slam winner.
The right term for these four tournaments is Major.
It’s called a Grand Slam. That is what a Grand Slam is. Individual wins are not Grand Slams–it has become common usage to call them that but it is wrong. In bridge, which is where the expression started, you get a Grand Slam if you win all 13 tricks. In tennis you win a Grand Slam if you win the French, USA, Australian and English (Wimbledon) open titles (the Majors) in the year. In the Rugby Union 6 Nations you beat your five opponents in the tournament.
In terms of actual “Grand Slam” winners:
Rod Laver—did it twice in singles—1962 as an Amateur and 1969 as Professional
The following achieved one singles Grand Slam:
Don Budge—1938
Maureen (Mo) Connolly—1953
Margaret Court—1970 (Also has 2 mixed doubles Grand Slams)
Stefan Edberg—1987 (also won a Junior Grand slam which is unique)
Steffi Graf — 1988 (she also won the Olympic title for “Golden Grand Slam”)
As you can see it is a massive achievement and rarely done.
Each individual tournament is not called a grand slam; it is called a major. When you win all 4 majors, you win a grand slam. This name was coined after Rod Laver won all four majors in one calendar year.
