If you’re wondering how to bet on tennis, you’re not alone. This sport has become a favorite among bettors because it offers year-round action and countless markets. Learning the basics can help you place smarter bets and avoid common mistakes.
Thankfully, placing bets on the sport’s events is a walk in the park, and we have provided everything you need to know right here. You will learn about the most popular tennis sports you can cover, common markets, and how to get started. We have also included a few tips you can use to make the most of your bets.
Tennis is unique compared to team sports like football or basketball. Since you’re dealing with individual athletes, there are fewer factors to consider. You can see the weather, the court surface, the players’ fitness levels, and even the head-to-head statistics plainly. On top of that, you have many betting opportunities due to the numerous tennis tournaments that take place throughout the year.
However, not all tennis events are created equal. Just like
how to bet on snooker, you’ll come across top-tier tournaments that offer more markets and deeper analytics. Here are the best tennis competitions to follow:
The Grand Slams:
These tournaments involve long-form matches, which require stamina, mental fitness, and sharp focus. There are four of them: the Australian Open (January), the French Open (May–June), Wimbledon (June–July), and the US Open (August–September).
ATP and WTA 1000 Events:
These top-tier competitions take place all year round and feature intense matchups. The depth of talent makes for excellent betting opportunities.
ATP/WTA Finals:
These final events showcase the season’s best eight players. They’re exciting for bettors because of the high-quality tennis and competitive matchups.
Challenger and ITF tournaments:
It could be more challenging to locate data on these lower-tier events, but that’s exactly where the value is. You can wager on them at most reliable bookies.
Key Tennis Betting Markets
Online bookmakers offer numerous betting markets for various tennis games and tournaments. Here are the popular options:
Match winner
This is the simplest and most popular market where you predict who will win a game.
Set betting
Here, you predict the exact score in sets (e.g., Player A wins 2–1). Although the risk is higher, this market offers better odds than the regular match winner bet.
Handicap betting
This is a type of bet where you level the playing field by giving one player a virtual advantage or disadvantage. For example, you can give a player a -1.5 set handicap, which means they have to win by at least two sets for your bet to be successful.
Total games/over-under
Bet on how many games will be played in a match or a set. For instance, you might bet on “over 21.5 total games.”
In-play betting
Live betting works well with tennis. You can see the momentum change and odds update in real time. Smart bettors might discover great value by keeping an eye on the match and taking advantage of every opportunity.
Tournament winner (outright market)
This long-term bet involves picking the player who will win an entire tournament. The odds are significantly higher, particularly before the initial round.
Steps for Betting on Tennis Matches
You can easily place bets on various tennis games at bookmakers. Similar to
how to bet on darts, the process is quite straightforward and will take a few minutes. So, how do you bet on tennis? We’ll walk you through the steps below:
Click on our banners to create an account with your preferred bookmaker.
Head to their sports section and click on Tennis.
Go through the available tournaments and events.
Select your preferred markets and add them to your bet slip.
Enter your stake amount and place a bet.
That’s it. You can now monitor the games and hope that your bet comes through. If you win, the bookmaker will add the amount to your balance. You can easily withdraw this after meeting the necessary terms and conditions, such as KYC verification.
Smart Tennis Betting Strategies
Some important expert tips can be helpful when seeking how to bet on tennis and win. While no strategy can guarantee winning, they can improve your overall betting experience. Here are some tips we recommend:
🎾 Know the court surface
Tennis is often played on different surfaces like hard courts, clay courts, and grass courts. As you know, some players have surfaces that suit their playstyle and help them perform better. That’s why we recommend checking the win-loss record of a player on the specific surface before placing your bet.
📊 Understand playing styles and matchups
Some players always tend to perform below expectations against those with a certain playstyle. We’ve seen defensive players struggle countless times against powerful hitters. So, the best thing is to study match footage and head-to-head records to know what to expect. Who knows, you may spot some trends that’ll give you a leg up on your bet.
🏋️ Monitor player form and fitness
In team sports, a player in poor form can be covered up by others. But the case is different in tennis since it’s an individual sport. If a tennis player is having a bad run of form, it will be obvious. So, we recommend always checking a player’s recent results, injury history, and match count from the previous week. Keep in mind that fatigue can also play a huge role in the long, draining best-of-five Grand Slam matches.
⚡ Watch out for early round upsets
Even the best players could start a game slowly early on or when facing an unfamiliar opponent. Since bookmakers tend to overvalue favorites, you can take a chance with an underdog with generous odds. You may come out successful.
🔄 Use live betting to your advantage
Tennis is a sport where momentum changes frequently. If you think a favorite will win the second set, you may be able to back them at a better value if their odds go up after they lose the first.
🚫 Avoid public hype
It’s not always wise to bet on a player just because they are famous. Big names often have their odds lowered because many are betting on them. You should be ready to go against popular opinion if the statistics support it.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Betting on Tennis
If you’ve studied other sports, like
how to bet on basketball, you’ll know that there are some mistakes to avoid to improve your experience. The same goes for tennis. Even experienced bettors can fall into traps that can affect their winning chances. Below are some of the mistakes to avoid:
Betting based solely on rankings:
ATP or WTA rankings are long-term averages and don’t always reflect current form or matchup suitability.
Ignoring fatigue or injury reports:
Even small injuries can impact a tennis player’s performance significantly.
Chasing losses:
Tennis offers a lot of action, but don’t try to recover a bad bet by placing another without doing your homework.
Betting on too many matches:
Focus on quality, not quantity. Analyze two or three matches deeply rather than rushing to bet on ten.
Pros and Cons of Betting on Tennis
Below are some advantages and drawbacks of tennis betting:
Pros and Cons
Year-round betting opportunities
Easy to research player stats and form
In-play betting can be highly strategic
A wide range of betting markets available
Odds can be tight for popular players
Final Thoughts: Get Started with Betting on Tennis
Tennis betting requires a high level of both strategy and enthusiasm for the game. You can find consistent value with the correct strategy, particularly in less obvious games or pairings that go unnoticed. One good way to start is by choosing a good sportsbook. You can check one of the sites from the banners to find a bookie with great odds and a bonus. So, do your homework, be patient, and never wager more money than you can afford to lose.
FAQs on Betting on Tennis
No, most bonuses have a wagering requirement that you must meet before cashing out.
A free bet usually requires a first bet or deposit, while a no deposit bonus is given without needing to add money.
The terms for claiming bonuses vary from one bookmaker to another. So, always check the details before claiming any bonus from a site.
If you don’t use the code, you miss out on the offer. So, always check if a promo code is needed when signing up.
Most betting sites allow you to claim only one welcome bonus at a time. But you can get more offers as an existing customer.
