Tennis is one of the most exciting and dynamic sports to bet on, offering a wide variety of betting markets for both pre-tournament and pre-match wagers. Whether you're betting on Grand Slam events or smaller ATP and WTA tournaments, understanding these markets can give you a competitive edge.
This guide explores 25 common tennis betting markets, breaking them down into two main categories: Pre-Tournament Markets (placed before the start of the tournament) and Pre-Match Markets (placed before an individual match begins). Each section provides a detailed explanation of these markets, helping bettors make informed decisions.
Pre-Tournament Betting Markets
Pre-tournament betting markets allow bettors to wager on the overall outcome of a tournament or specific stages before the event begins. These bets offer higher odds and greater returns due to the uncertainty involved in predicting outcomes over an extended period.
1. To Win Outright (Tournament Winner)
This is the most straightforward and popular pre-tournament market, where you bet on which player will win the entire tournament.
Example: Betting on Novak Djokovic to win Wimbledon means your bet wins only if he lifts the trophy at the end of the tournament.
2. Stage of Elimination
In this market, you predict the stage at which a particular player will be eliminated. It’s useful when you believe a player may not win the tournament but could go far.
Example: A bet on Rafael Nadal to be eliminated in the semi-finals wins if he is knocked out at that stage.
3. Name the Finalists
This market involves predicting which two players will reach the final. It offers higher odds due to the difficulty of forecasting the exact matchup.
Example: Betting on Carlos Alcaraz and Daniil Medvedev to reach the US Open final means both players must advance to the championship match.
4. To Reach the Final
In this market, you bet on whether a specific player will reach the final, regardless of whether they win or lose.
Example: Betting on Alexander Zverev to reach the final means your bet wins even if he finishes as the runner-up.
5. Quarter Betting (To Reach the Semi-Final)
This market focuses on whether a player will advance from their quarter of the draw and secure a semi-final spot.
Example: A bet on Stefanos Tsitsipas to reach the semi-finals requires him to win his quarter of the draw.
6. Winner's Nationality
You bet on the nationality of the tournament winner rather than a specific player. This market is ideal for bettors who believe a particular country will dominate the event.
Example: Betting on a Spanish player to win the French Open means any Spanish player winning secures your bet.
7. Winning Half
This market focuses on which half of the draw the winner will come from—either the top half or bottom half.
Example: Betting on the bottom half to produce the winner at the Australian Open requires the eventual champion to come from that half of the draw.
8. Winning Quarter
In this market, you predict which quarter of the draw will produce the tournament winner.
Example: Betting on the 3rd quarter to provide the winner means any player from that quarter winning the title will secure your bet.
9. Unseeded Finalist? Yes/No
This market allows you to bet on whether an unseeded player will reach the final. It offers high odds due to the rarity of unseeded players advancing to the final stages.
Example: A bet on Yes wins if an unseeded player reaches the final.
10. Qualifier to Reach the Final? Yes/No
This market predicts whether a qualifier will advance to the final. Qualifiers enter the main draw after winning multiple preliminary rounds, making this outcome less likely but highly rewarding.
Example: Betting on Yes means your bet wins if a qualifier reaches the final.
11. Wild Card to Reach the Final? Yes/No
Wild cards are players granted entry into the tournament despite not qualifying automatically. This market predicts whether a wild card entrant will reach the final.
Example: A bet on Yes pays out if a wild card player advances to the final.
Pre-Match Betting Markets
Pre-match betting markets allow you to bet on specific outcomes in an individual match. These markets offer numerous opportunities for bettors to analyze player form, surface compatibility, and head-to-head records.
1. To Win Match
The simplest and most popular market where you bet on which player will win the match.
Example: Betting on Iga Swiatek to beat Aryna Sabalenka means your bet wins if Swiatek wins the match.
2. 1st Set Winner
This market focuses on predicting which player will win the first set. It’s ideal for bettors who anticipate a fast start by one player.
Example: Betting on Carlos Alcaraz to win the 1st set wins if he takes the opening set.
3. Match Handicap (Games)
Handicap betting adjusts the perceived strength between two players by adding or subtracting games from their final total.
Example: Betting on Daniil Medvedev -3.5 games means he must win by at least 4 games for the bet to win.
4. Total Games (Over/Under)
This market involves betting on whether the total number of games played in a match will be over or under a specified number.
Example: A bet on Over 21.5 games wins if the match contains 22 or more games.
5. Set Betting (Correct Set Score)
Set betting involves predicting the exact score of the match in sets. This market offers higher odds due to its difficulty.
Example: Betting on Novak Djokovic to win 3-1 means he must win the match with that exact set score.
6. Total Sets
This market predicts the total number of sets in the match, regardless of who wins.
Example: Betting on Over 4.5 sets in a Grand Slam match means the contest must go to at least 5 sets.
7. 1st Set Total Games (Over/Under)
This market focuses on the total number of games in the first set, predicting whether it will be over or under a set number.
Example: A bet on Over 9.5 games in the 1st set wins if 10 or more games are played.
8. 1st Set Correct Game Score
In this market, you predict the exact score of the first set in terms of games.
Example: A bet on 6-4 for Rafael Nadal wins if Nadal takes the first set by that scoreline.
9. Match Result & Total Games
This market combines predicting the match winner and the total number of games played.
Example: A bet on Stefanos Tsitsipas to win and over 22.5 games wins if both outcomes occur.
10. Ace Totals
Ace totals predict the number of aces served by one or both players.
Example: A bet on Over 15.5 aces wins if the match produces 16 or more aces.
11. Double Fault Totals
This market focuses on predicting the total number of double faults committed during the match.
Example: A bet on Under 5.5 double faults wins if 5 or fewer double faults occur.
12. Total Tie Breaks in the Match
Tie-break markets predict the number of tie-breaks that will occur during a match.
Example: Betting on Over 1.5 tie-breaks wins if 2 or more tie-breaks occur.
13. Total Match Games Odd/Even
This market predicts whether the total number of games played in a match will be odd or even.
Example: Betting on Odd Total Games wins if the match ends with an odd number of games.
14. Each Player Props
Player props allow you to bet on individual player performances, including:
Total Aces: Number of aces by a player.
Service Breaks: Total breaks of serve.
Total Games Won: Number of games won by a player.
Example: A bet on Novak Djokovic to win over 18.5 games is a player prop.
Conclusion: Mastering Tennis Betting Markets
Tennis offers diverse and exciting betting markets, giving bettors numerous opportunities to leverage their knowledge and strategies.
Understanding pre-tournament and pre-match markets can significantly enhance your chances of making profitable wagers.
Whether you're predicting the tournament winner, betting on individual matches, or focusing on detailed player stats, mastering these markets equips you to make informed and strategic betting decisions.
