What is a tennis 'Grand Slam' and Who has won Grand Slams?

Answer 1

In the world of 'official tennis', there are four 'major' tournaments around the world: Wimbledon, in UK, the French Open, US Open and Australian Open.

A person who wins all four of these tournaments in a calendar year has won the Grand Slam. Sometimes each of these events is referred to as a 'Grand slam event' - so the terminology used by some writers and journalists is not always specific enough to be certain exactly what they are referring to unless the reader knows something of the history of these events.

As to those who have won them, I will just refer to singles events, though doubles and mixed-sexed doubles also have to be considered to give a complete answer.

In terms of males, Rod Laver has won two: 1962 and 1969. He is the only player to have done so. Don Budge was the first to win the Grand Slam in the 1930's.

These are the only two male players to ever win the true Grand Slam.

In terms of female players, only Maureen Connolly, Margaret Court and Steffi Graff have won the Grand Slam.