The Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP), which is the governing body for men’s tennis, has a lot of different tournaments under its ambit. Some of these tournaments are the ATP Finals, ATP Masters 1000, ATP 500, and ATP 250.

A few other tournaments, such as the ATP Challenger Tour and ATP Champions Tour, are also conducted by the organisation. The best players in the world mostly compete in the ATP Masters 1000 since the winner is awarded 1000 points.

Similarly, the winners of the ATP 500 and ATP 250 are rewarded with 500 and 250 points, respectively. The ATP Challenger Tour comes a step below the ATP 250, while the Champions Tour is conducted for senior players.

ATP Finals 

The ATP Finals is the season-ending tournament in men’s tennis in which the top eight singles players in the world and the top eight doubles players in the world participate. In many ways, it is considered to be the biggest men’s tennis event of the year after the four Grand Slams. 

The format of the ATP Finals is distinctive from those seen in other tournaments. The players are divided into two groups of four each, who then play three round-robin matches against each other. 

The winners then move onto the knockout stages, with a semifinal and final. The winners of the final match are awarded 1500 points in the ATP Rankings if they go through the round-robin phase unbeaten.

ATP Masters 1000

The ATP Masters 1000 is a series of nine tournaments held over the year in which all top-ranked players in the world are eligible to contest. These tournaments come a level below the majors and ATP Finals. 

The biggest draw in these tournaments is the points on offer. The winners of an ATP Masters 1000 tournament get 1000 points, which helps them rise through the rankings.

ATP Masters 500

The ATP 500 consists of 13 tournaments held across the year that come fourth in the pyramid of men’s tennis, under the Grand Slams, ATP Finals, and ATP Masters 1000. The winners of the ATP 500 are awarded with 500 points. 

It is interesting to note here that it is mandatory for leading players to participate in at least four ATP 500 events. Also, they have to mandatorily play in one after the US Open every year, failing which they can register a ‘zero score’ towards their world ranking.

ATP Masters 250

The ATP 250 is the last tier in men’s tennis tournaments across the world. The winners of these tournaments are awarded with 250 points to help in their standings. 

Up till 2024, there were 38 tournaments all across the world, but with the retirement of five crucial venues and the upgrading of three others, 2025 will see only 30 ATP 250 tournaments.

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