The ATP 250, officially the ATP Tour 250, is the lowest tier of the ATP’s main professional tour, with tennis events in this category ranked below the Grand Slams, ATP Finals, and the ATP Masters 1000 and ATP 500 events in terms of ranking points and prize money. It is however still a highly competitive and prestigious level of competition, populated by many historic events, and contested by top-ranked tennis players, veteran ex-champions, and young rookies, looking to work their way up the tennis rankings. There is never a shortage of ATP 250 action for fans, who flock to dozens of tournaments staged across 6 continents, all year round – there is no greater showcase for tennis’ global appeal than the ATP 250 tour level!
📜 ATP 250 History
Originally called the ATP World Series, the ATP 250 category was founded in 1990. The tier was first referred to as the ATP 250 in 2009. The ATP 250 calendar often changes more regularly than the ATP Masters 1000 and ATP 500 schedules, year-on-year, however the category is currently comprised of over 30 tournaments – some of which date back to the 19th century – which are held across 6 continents
Austrian Thomas Muster holds the current record for most career ATP 250 titles won, with 26.
💯 ATP 250 Format & Scoring
The ATP 250 tour level currently contains over 30 events which are hosted in countries including but not limited to Argentina, Australia, Austria, China, India, Morocco, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The events are held on a range of surfaces, including clay courts, grass courts, and hard courts. Fewer than 10 ATP 250 events are staged fully indoors.
ATP 250 events typically last 7 or 8 days, and include a singles draw played across 5 rounds, and a doubles draw played across 4 rounds.
Players competing at ATP 250 events battle to win the 250 ATP ranking points rewarded to the events’ champions, prize money – usually less than that awarded at ATP 500 events – as well as the opportunity to lift a prestigious, and often historic trophy.