Introduction to Tennis Betting
Tennis is a popular sport for betting because of its long season and plenty of high-profile tournaments. From the top-tier Grand Slams to the weekly regular-season events from the WTA and ATP, there is an abundance of tennis betting to be found. To get the best betting experience, learn about the top markets and key strategies.
Popular Tennis Betting Markets
There is a good range of tennis markets to bet on at bookmakers, and here are popular ones to focus on.
Match Winner
The match-winner market is a straightforward bet on which the player will win a match, with the scoreline not being important.
Set Betting
The set betting option is the exact outcome of the final scoreline. Matches are either the best of three or the best of five sets, and a forecast like 2-1 or 3-2 can be made.
Over/Under Total Games
With six games in each set and either a maximum of three or five sets, there are limits to how many games in total can be played. The bettor determines the line of something like an over/under 17.5 total.
Handicap Betting
A tennis betting handicap of -1.5 sets requires a player to win by at least two clear sets. The virtual handicap evens the playing field to balance the odds better than the match outright.
First Set Winner
A forecast can be made on which player will claim the opening set, good for backing a player who has form in starting matches strongly.
Outright Winner
A pick of which player will win a tournament outright. Stronger odds can be found pre-tournament, and alternative outright markets are to win the quarter and to reach the final.
Effective Tennis Betting Strategies
To help make more accurate predictions, look at key strategies like the following:
Bankroll Management
Ensure that you are in control of your bankroll balance. Never borrow money to gamble with, and don’t gamble more than you can afford to lose. Bankroll management involves planning stakes for wagers.
Player Research and Form
To strengthen tennis betting picks, look into recent player form like recent results, previous tournament results, first serve percentage, and points won on 2nd serve.
In-Play (Live) Betting
Follow all the latest tennis matches through live betting and possibly even pick up a free stream. Use what is happening in-play to back options like the next set winner and game totals. A common live tennis strategy is to back higher-ranked players to fight back after dropping the first set.
Betting on Underdogs
Early in a tournament, a top player may suffer from complacency or from not knowing the strengths or weaknesses of their lower-ranked opponent, who can be backed at long odds with a small stake. Check the stats first before backing an upset, especially break-point conversions.
Back the Serve Strategy
Players who have elite serves can dominate matches. Look at the accuracy of first serves, plus how well they perform behind their second service as well.
Handicap Betting on Favourites
Handicap betting gives the favourite a virtual disadvantage, which is favourable for odds. If there is a 4/11 favourite, adding the condition of them winning by at least two sets through a -1.5 handicap could bring the odds closer to the even money line.
Surface-Specific Betting
Consider the surface a tournament is played on, as certain players adapt to grass or clay better, which affects outcomes. History has shown that certain players perform better on certain surfaces.
Tournament Stage Strategy
Break a tournament into stages by selecting players to reach the quarterfinals or the semifinals. This cuts out the need for extra matches to be won by a player against the tournament outright market.
Factors to Consider in Tennis Betting
Many factors can determine the outcome of a tennis match, such as the following:.
Player Fatigue
If a player has won all their matches 3-0 to reach the US Open quarterfinals, but their opponent has won all of theirs 3-2, that’s a lot of extra time on the court the latter has had in comparison. That wears on mental and physical strength.
Weather Conditions
A windy day can cause all sorts of problems and throw players off their games. High heat and humidity will drain players’ energy a lot quicker as well.
Player Motivation
A player could be looking to win their first match at a Grand Slam in five attempts. Another player may need to win a tournament to finish as the world number one at the end of the season. A top player may be using a lower-ranking tournament to warm up ahead of Grand Slams and not play at their top level, so always consider motivation.
Head-to-Head Records
Always check head-to-head records between players. It’s common for a tennis star to have a bogey player who they just can’t seem to beat. This can further be analysed by looking at head-to-head records on a specific surface.
Advanced Tennis Betting Strategies
To further push tennis betting strategies along, you can start looking into advanced options.
Arbitrage Betting
Arbitrage betting is an advanced form of betting where bettors try to exploit differences in market odds between bookmakers. The goal is to create a situation where, no matter the outcome of a match, profit will be earned.
Trading on Betting Exchanges
Betting exchanges can be worked advantageously, where a player can be backed to win a match and then layed on an exchange to not win if they look vulnerable in play. Balancing odds and stakes is crucial for accurate trading.
Using Tennis Statistics and Data
A sound tennis betting strategy comes from statistics, such as first-serve percentages, return percentages, break-point opportunities, and return games won percentage. The data should lead you to the best options in your favourite markets.
Conclusion
There are many factors to consider for tennis betting, and the foundation of strong picks comes from statistical analysis. Lean heavily on statistics to create your strategy, which should focus on only a few markets and not spread thinly across too many options.
Gamble responsibly by managing your bankroll, and check out the latest tennis betting markets and odds by visiting online sportsbooks to explore the full range of bet options available.