How to Bet on Tennis: A Comprehensive Guide for Beginners

Tennis is one of the most popular sports betting options, with thousands of tournaments and matches being played throughout the season. Our experts here at Compare.bet are constantly looking for new developments within the tennis betting world to help keep you informed on the latest betting trends.This page will deliver a comprehensive betting guide for beginners looking to get started. 

Bookmakers offer tennis betting odds across numerous betting markets and competitions spanning the ATP, WTA, ATP Challenger, ITF, and other professional tennis tours. Tennis is a sport that lends itself to betting for a number of reasons. The ebb and flow of a tennis match often delivers several twists and turns, with underdogs historically having some of the best chances of causing an upset compared to other sports. Additionally, numerous event-specific wagers are available during each match due to the long format of the game.  

Tennis betting can be daunting for beginners due to the huge array of possibilities, but it doesn’t take long to get to grips with the process. Compare.bet is here to help our readers navigate the various betting markets, tournaments, and tennis betting strategies. Keep reading for a comprehensive guide before signing up to one of our recommended bookmakers and claiming the welcome bonus.  

Tennis Betting Basics

The simplest and most basic tennis bet involves predicting the winner of a match or competition. Beyond that, you can also predict various specific in-game scenarios. For example, leading bookmakers offer live game-by-game or set-by-set betting on countless tennis games and tournaments worldwide. Alternatively, you can speculate on the total number of winners or unforced errors throughout a match.  

The main tennis betting concept to understand is how to read odds and determine the probability of an event occurring (i.e. a player winning a match or serving a specific number of aces, depending on your bet). Most UK bookmakers use fractional odds, so ensure you know how these work before placing any stakes. We’ll run you through the basics with a theoretical example below: 

• Novak Djokovic 1/3
• Daniil Medvedev 7/2 

Djokovic is the clear favourite to beat Medvedev at 1/3. Generally speaking, the smaller the fraction, the larger the favourite. If you want to get technical, use the following formula to calculate the percentage chance of an event happening: 

• B/(A+B) x 100 
• 3/(1+3) x 100 = 75% 

Calculating your potential payout when placing a tennis bet is also straightforward. Remember the golden rule: the first number shows the potential profit relative to the second number’s value, representing your stake. For example, backing Novak Djokovic to win at 1/3 odds would generate £1 in profit for every £3 staked. 

Tennis Betting Markets

One of the most significant reasons punters love betting on tennis is due to the treasure trove of potential wagers and predictions. Leading bookies offer various pre-game and live betting markets, allowing you to pinpoint very specific events and bet accordingly. Some of the main ones include: 

• Match Winner: A straight wager on the winner of a tennis match. 
• Set Betting: Wagers on the winner of each set rather than the match as a whole. 
• Game Betting: Bets on each individual game winner. 
• Handicaps: In games with a heavy favourite, you can bet on them to win by a certain amount of sets (effectively giving their opponent a handicap). 
• Over/Under: Wagers on the total number of games, sets, points, aces, or other match events. You must decide whether the total will be over or under the bookies’ prediction. 
• In-Play Markets: Live tennis betting offers countless betting opportunities, from the winner of each game to the number of unforced errors during a specific set. 
• Outright Tournament Winner: A straight bet on the winner of a tournament. 

Top Tennis Tournaments to Bet On

The tennis season spans multiple professional tours — the top two being the ATP and the WTA tours — and these are made up of hundreds of tournaments throughout the year. While some punters spend considerable time following the lower and more niche tournaments, most tend to focus on the four tournaments that make up the tennis Grand Slam:

• Wimbledon: The world’s oldest professional tennis tournament played every July on the iconic grass courts at the All England Lawn Tennis Club — arguably the most prestigious Grand Slam. 
• Roland-Garros: Otherwise known as the French Open, Roland-Garros is another Grand Slam played on red clay in Paris in late May and early June. 
• US Open: The final Grand Slam of the season played on hard courts during late August and early September. 
• Australian Open: The first Grand Slam of the year, generally held in January. Players compete on a hard court surface similar to the US Open. 

The competitions above feature men, women, and doubles, but other global tennis tournaments may only be open to one of these groups. The ATP and WTA tours are the main ones to watch, with secondary options like the ITF and ATP Challenger tours also being popular. 

Choosing a Tennis Betting Site

Choosing the right tennis betting site is crucial to your overall excitement. While most industry-leading bookmakers offer a quality service, bookies will be more suited to certain punters than others. 

At Compare.bet, we offer lists for the best bookmakers depending on a variety of criteria, such as the quality of their bonuses or their mobile betting options. Check these for an idea of the top tennis betting sites, and read our reviews for a more detailed look at the best tennis betting platforms. Some of the most important traits to consider when choosing a bookies include: 

• Licensing: All tennis betting sites must be licensed by the UK Gambling Commission to ensure they follow safe and fair gambling practices. 
• Mobile App: Ideally, a bookmaker will provide a highly-rated mobile app to allow a seamless and convenient mobile betting experience. 
• Bonuses: Our top-rated bookies mix generous welcome bonuses with consistent ongoing promotions. 
• Tennis Betting Markets: Check the tennis betting markets available before choosing a platform to guarantee they’re able to offer the full range of betting options, rather than just more simplistic bets like match or tournament winner. 
• Special Features: Look for standout features at tennis betting sites, such as live streaming, advanced animations or infographics, or detailed in-play wagering.

Once you have decided on a tennis betting site, click the “Register” or “Sign Up” button to start the registration process. You’ll need to disclose some personal information and verify your account before depositing and placing a stake. Ensure you’ve read the welcome bonus terms and conditions and understood all the qualifying requirements before placing your first bet.

Research and Analysis

Doing sustained research and pre-match analysis is essential for tennis betting. Jumping straight in without thinking about your predictions or betting on markets you’re not familiar with will almost always result in a loss. Ensure you stick to responsible gambling principles and consider each bet before confirming your stake. 

Here are some of the main things to think about when placing a wager: 

• Player Form: Scrutinise each player’s recent form to get an idea of their previous performances and momentum leading into a match. 
• Head-to-Head Records: Looking at past meetings between two players can indicate who is more likely to get the upper hand.  
• Playing Surface: Understanding how the playing surface can affect different types of players is an integral part of tennis betting. For example, grass courts are typically the fastest and suit aggressive players capable of making audacious passing shots. 
• External Factors: Consider how the crowd may affect a homegrown player seeking glory or if the weather might delay play, allowing a struggling opponent to recover and get back into a match. 
• Match Length: Most tennis matches during the season feature three sets, but men’s Grand Slams stretch to five sets. Think about this when betting, as it could make all the difference. 

Tennis Betting Strategies

Punters can also take advantage of tennis betting strategies to improve their chances. Choose which match you bet on carefully, as some are easier to call than others. We also highly recommend shopping around for the best odds and value, as some bookies will offer different better odds than others. 

Looking for an underdog capable of upsetting the status quo is also a great way to boost potential profits, but this requires sustained research and careful thought to get it right. Additionally, consider using live betting to your advantage and make mini-predictions on things like the winner of each game. Using bet types like accas during high-profile tournaments is also a popular tactic. 

Placing Your Bet

Follow the steps below to place a tennis bet: 

More Tips for Tennis Betting

Check below for some more tips for tennis betting: 

• Keep up-to-date with tennis news, specifically player injuries, tournament draws, and rule changes. 
• Follow specific players and learn everything you can about their form, playing style, coach and mental character. 
• Keep a record of your past bets so you can spot any advantageous patterns or avoid making similar mistakes. 
• Take advantage of bookmaker bonuses like free bets or odds boosts. 

Always Gamble Responsibly

Gambling responsibly must always be at the top of the checklist, especially for something like tennis, where there are so many options available. Stay on top of your gambling habits and always be sensible with your budget. Here are a few essential responsible gambling tips: 

• Create strict weekly or monthly tennis betting budgets that are only a small fraction of your overall earnings. 
• Consider using self-exclusion and deposit limit tools at your bookmaker to ensure a responsible approach. 
• Be open with friends and family about your betting. 
• Actively pursue hobbies outside of sports betting so you enjoy other forms of entertainment. 
• Remember to watch tennis for fun — you don’t always need to have a bet on the go. 

For extra information surrounding responsible gambling and how to stay safe, check out our responsible gambling guide. Organisations like GamCare and BeGambleAware.org can also help.  

Sign Up and Bet on Tennis

Now that we’ve covered more or less everything you need to know about tennis betting, the only thing left to do now is choose a bookmaker and get started. Read through our expert reviews and recommendations at Compare.bet to find the best site for you. After registering, depositing, and claiming the welcome bonus, you’ll be ready to place tennis bets across countless tournaments and markets.