The ATP Masters Series is a series of nine tennis tournaments that are part of the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) tour, held annually throughout the year in Europe and North America. The tournaments are mandatory for the top male players on the professional circuit. The series began after the ATP took over the running of the men's tour in 1990, and was originally known as the Mercedes-Benz Super 9 series, and then the Tennis Masters Series, before adopting its present name. All the tournaments in the series had existed for some years before the Super 9 series was launched and were considered to be among the most prestigious events on the tour. Results in the Tennis Masters Series events earn players more world ranking points than regular tournaments, though not as many as Grand Slam events or the year-end Tennis Masters Cup.