How wild cards work in tennis

For most tennis players, the path to the biggest tournaments goes through rankings and qualification. At Grand Slams and other major events, only some players enter the main draw directly — the main stage of the tournament where players compete for the title. Others have to go through qualifying and build their ranking throughout the season to reach the main draw.

But sometimes players appear in the draw without having a ranking high enough for direct entry. That is exactly why wild cards exist in professional tennis — special invitations given by tournament organisers.

For some players, it is a chance to compete at a major tournament for the first time. For others, it is an opportunity to return after injury, a long break, or a difficult period in their career.

What a wild card means in tennis

A wild card is a special invitation to a tournament given at the organisers’ discretion. It allows a player to enter the main draw even if their ranking is not high enough for direct qualification.

Wild cards are used at different levels of tournaments — from smaller professional events to Grand Slams.

Who can receive a wild card

Wild cards are most often given to promising young players, local athletes, or players returning after injury or a lengthy break from competition.

These invitations are also regularly awarded to former tournament champions or well-known players competing in the final season of their careers. Tournament organisers also often support players from their own country — especially at major home events.

Why a wild card can change a player’s career

In professional tennis, rankings determine almost everything: access to tournaments, the level of opponents, and the ability to compete consistently at a high level. But to move up the rankings, players need results, experience, and matches against the strongest opponents.

That is why a wild card can sometimes become a turning point in a player’s career.

Even one match at a major tournament can bring their first ranking points, experience against top players, media and sponsor attention, and the opportunity to experience the atmosphere of the professional tour.

For young players, this often becomes the first chance to experience the level of professional tennis before making a breakthrough in the rankings.

Does a wild card give ranking points?

A wild card itself does not award ranking points. But it allows players to compete in the tournament and earn points through their results.

If a player wins matches or reaches later rounds in the main draw, they receive ranking points in the same way as every other player in the tournament.

As a result, even one successful tournament after receiving a wild card can significantly affect a player’s ranking and future career.

Wild cards at Grand Slams

Wild cards at Grand Slams always attract particular attention. This is where organisers often give opportunities to young talents, local players, or athletes returning after injury.

For many players, a wild card becomes the first chance to compete at the Australian Open, Roland Garros, Wimbledon, or the US Open.

Sometimes these invitations become the beginning of a major career — when a little-known player suddenly gets the chance to step onto the court against the best tennis players in the world.