Betting on tennis is a hugely popular pastime, with the sport ranking in the top five among punters in the United Kingdom in terms of popularity.
It differs slightly from other types of sports wagering as there is no draw in tennis – each element of a match is played until there is a winner.
With that in mind, we have saved you time and effort by producing this comprehensive guide detailing how tennis betting works.
Tennis Odds
To start wagering on the sport, you should spend some time finding the best sites for betting on tennis on https://www.ispo.com/en/sports-betting/tennis/.
Once that’s done, you need to get to grips with the odds. In simple terms, these determine how much you will win if your tennis bet is successful.
Most bookmakers display their odds as decimals or fractions. In each case, simple mathematics will help you calculate your potential winnings on any wager.
For example, let’s say you fancy Serbian superstar Novak Djokovic to win the men’s singles title at the 2024 Wimbledon Tennis Championships.
His odds are 7/4, meaning that for every £4 you stake you would make a £7 profit if he is successful – in other words, a £4 stake generates a £7 profit creating a potential return of £11.
The decimal odds equivalent of 7/4 is 2.75. In our example, you simply multiply the 2.75 odds by the £4 stake to reach the same £11 payout.
Tennis Betting Types
Much like other professional sports, there are numerous different ways you can bet on tennis. Some of the most popular markets are as follows:
- Outright betting – An outright bet is a wager on which player you think will win a tournament. Odds are available before the action gets underway and during the event.
- Match betting – This is a bet on an individual tennis match. You pick which player you think will win and wager on them. Match betting can be done as singles or placed into accumulators with multiple selections.
- Set betting – Set betting is similar to correct score betting in football. It requires you to predict what the final score will be in a tennis match. In a three-set match your options are 2-0 or 2-1 to either player.
- Correct set score – A bet on the correct score in a set requires you to predict which player will win the set and by how many games. For instance, if you think a set will go to a tie-breaker, your bet is on a 7-6 scoreline to your chosen player.
- Match result & over/under – This bet required you predict which player wins a match and whether the total of number of games played will be over or under a pre-determined total.
- Handicap betting – Also known as spread betting, this bet allocates a handicap mark to players in a set or match. This gives you the chance to gain better odds for players who are big favourites to win a match.
Live Tennis Betting
Also known as in-play betting, this type of wagering has become extremely popular with tennis punters over the past few years.
Betting during the game allows you to make betting decisions as the action unfolds, which gives you the chance to make more informed wagering decisions.
The best betting sites offer a wide range of live markets on their in-play portals, each of which update in real-time as the match progresses.
Bet types include wagering on which player will win the next game, an individual set or a tie-breaker. Betting live on tennis is one of the best ways to add more excitement to the sport.
Choosing a Tennis Betting Site
If you are planning to bet on tennis, is it imperative to sign-up with a site which is fully licensed to offer its services in your jurisdiction.
This information should be clearly advertised on the site and contain links to where you can verify the validity of the license with the appropriate regulatory organisation.
The best tennis betting sites offer a vast array of bonuses and promotions, numerous payment options and a wide range of customer support options.
You can use comparison sites to determine which sportsbooks offer the best odds on tennis to ensure you maximise your returns on any winning bets.
It is also worth checking how live odds stack up against each other on different sites so you obtain the best value from all of your tennis bets.
Many tennis betting sites also offer live streaming of tennis matches throughout the year, allowing you to keep track of your wagers in real time.
Tennis Betting Strategies
While there is no single system you can employ to guarantee you will make a profit from tennis betting, there are strategies you can employ to improve your chances.
Taking advantage of the best odds is a great place to start, so do not be afraid to open accounts with several betting firms to make sure you grab the most competitive prices.
The handicap markets can also be leveraged to your advantage, particularly in matches where one player is an overwhelming favourite to win.
The handicap odds are higher than match betting, meaning your returns will be greater if you can successfully identify where the value lies.
A key part of tennis betting is paying attention to which surface a tournament is played on, as this can make a significant difference to the outcome.
Some players shine on grass surfaces, while others may be more adept on hard courts or clay courts. For instance, Rafael Nadal is superb on clay, but his record on grass is not as impressive.
Another good strategy to employ is to keep comprehensive betting records. This allows you to identify strengths and weaknesses in your tennis wagering.
You should also set an affordable betting bankroll over a specified period and stick to it. Never wager more than you can afford to lose and you will maximise your enjoyment of tennis betting.
