Tennis Betting Guide: How to Bet on Tennis in the US

Many assume tennis betting revolves only around the four Grand Slams, but with hundreds of tournaments year-round, the gambling opportunities are endless. With the right strategy and insights, tennis betting can be both exciting and profitable.

This guide will show you how to master your tennis bets—from understanding markets to applying winning strategies. Let’s get started!

🔑 Key Takeaways

• Learn about tennis betting in the US.
• Uncover strategies to maximize your tennis bets.
• Discover the best legal sportsbooks for tennis gambling.
• Take notes of the main Tennis events to place your bets on.

Top Tennis Betting Sites 2024

Online Tennis Betting in the US

Online tennis betting is legal in the US: AZ, AS, CO, CT, DE, FL, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MT, NC, NV, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, TN, VT, VA, WA, DC, WV, WI, WY.

Since the Supreme Court repealed the federal ban on sports betting in 2018, individual states have been given the power to regulate and license online sportsbooks. 

Thanks to the Grand Slams, ATP, and WTA Tours, tennis betting has gained substantial popularity in the US. As a result, you will find various mobile sportsbooks offering online tennis betting in states where online sports betting is legal.

Tennis Betting Rules

Like other sports, there are vital rules and regulations governing tennis betting. Here are some of the popular ones across various sportsbooks. 

🎾 General Rules:

• Match abandonment: If a match is abandoned, all bets are void unless the outcome is already determined.
• Player withdrawal: All bets are void if a player withdraws before a match.
• Change of surface: Bets stand regardless of surface changes.
• Delay or postponement: Bets stand if the match is delayed or postponed, unless otherwise stated.

🎾 Specific Bet Rules:

• Walkover rules: If a player wins by walkover, set betting and handicap bets are void.
• Set betting: Bets are void if the match is not completed or the number of sets changes.
• Game handicap: Bets are void if the match is not completed.
• Tie-break: In tie-breaks, the player winning the tie-break wins the set.

🎾 Live Betting Rules:

• Live betting: Bets are accepted in real-time, but may be delayed or rejected due to market suspension.
• Live score updates: Live scores may not reflect the current score; bets are settled based on official scores.

How Do You Bet on Tennis?

Tennis Bet Types

Tennis offers diverse betting options for all preferences. Here’s a breakdown of the most popular tennis types:

• Match Betting: There are two main types of match bets:
  • Match Winner: Bet on who wins the match (e.g., Djokovic to beat Nadal).
  • Correct Score: Predict the exact set score (e.g., Nadal 3-1 in a best-of-5).
• Set Betting: Wager on specific set outcomes:
  • Set Winner: Bet on a player to win a particular set (e.g., Williams to win Set 1).
  • Set Handicap: Predict a player’s advantage/disadvantage in sets (e.g., Djokovic -1.5 sets).
  • Set Over/Under: Bet on the total number of sets played.
• Handicap Betting: Similar to a point spread, odds are adjusted to level the playing field:
  • Example: Nadal -4.5 games vs. Zverev. Nadal must win by 5+ games to cover the spread.
• Spread Betting: Bet on the margin of victory in games or sets:
  • Game Spread Example: Swiatek -5.5 games vs. Pliskova. Swiatek must win by 6+ games.
  • Total Sets Example: Over/Under 3.5 sets in Rublev vs. Khachanov.
• Prop Bets: Unique wagers on specific match events:
  • Examples: First game winner, total aces, or fastest serve.
• Futures: Bet on long-term outcomes like tournament winners or year-end rankings:
  • Example: Odds for the 2025 US Open — Alcaraz +200, Djokovic +250.
• Parlays: Combine multiple bets into one for higher payouts. All bets must win.
  • Example: Djokovic to beat Nadal + Medvedev +1.5 games vs. Tsitsipas.

Major Tennis Events to Bet On

The tennis calendar is packed with high-profile tournaments, ranked by prestige, prize money, and points. Here are the main events to know:

Grand Slam Tournaments

The four Grand Slams are the most prestigious events in tennis, offering extensive betting options:

1. Wimbledon (Late June–July): The oldest Slam, played on iconic grass courts in London. Roger Federer holds the record with eight titles.
2. US Open (Late August–September): Known for its New York energy, common bets include outright winner and quarterfinal results.
3. French Open (May–June): Played on clay at Roland Garros, Rafael Nadal is the standout favorite with 14 titles.
4. Australian Open (January): The first Slam of the year, held on hard courts, with Djokovic leading with 10 titles.

ATP and WTA Tours

The ATP (men’s) and WTA (women’s) tours feature year-round tournaments showcasing top talent like Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams. Key highlights include:

• ATP Tour: 68 tournaments, culminating in the ATP Finals.
• WTA Tour: 55 tournaments, ending with the WTA Finals.

Both tours provide constant opportunities for high-stakes tennis betting.

Popular Tennis Betting Systems

There are several betting systems you can use to improve your tennis betting strategy. Each has its unique approach and potential benefits. Let’s look at some of them below:

• Martingale System: It involves doubling your bets after each loss and returning to your original bet when you win. In that case:
  • If you bet $3 and lose, your next bet stake on any other market should be $6.
  • If you lose again, you bet $12. You keep doubling until you secure a win, then you return to $3.
• Fibonacci System: Here, you increase your tennis bet amounts according to the Fibonacci sequence (1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, etc. You start by choosing the base stake (first bet amount) and then follow the sequence.
• Paroli: Double bets after each win. E.g., bet on Federer to win each set of Wimbledon.
  • If you bet $10 on the first set, and he wins, you double your bet ($20) for the next set.
• D’Alembert: You increase or decrease your bets by fixed amounts after a win or loss.
  • Let’s say $2 is your fixed unit value.
  • If you bet $10 and win, you increase it to $12. Decrease to $8 after the loss.

Tennis Betting Strategies I Live By

To take your tennis betting from amateur to pro, you need to develop a working strategy that combines research with risk management and bankroll optimization. I shared some of my top tips below:

• Research head-to-head stats: Analyze how players perform against each other. For example, one player might dominate on clay but struggle on hard courts. Recent head-to-head results are also crucial for identifying patterns.
• Value betting: Track down profitable opportunities by comparing bookmakers’ odds with your calculated probabilities. Use multiple sportsbooks to find the best odds for your picks.
• Bet on favorites in grand slams: Top-ranked players consistently dominate in Grand Slams, making heavy favorites a safer choice in these tournaments.
• Manage your bankroll: Set a budget, stick to it, and avoid chasing losses. Proper bankroll management ensures long-term betting success.

Extra Tip: Pair these strategies with bonuses from reputable sportsbooks to maximize your potential winnings.

Ready to Dive Into Tennis Betting?

Start your tennis journey today by signing up with a trusted sportsbook, and use the mentioned strategies from this guide to boost your chances of success.

Set realistic limits, bet responsibly, and make the experience enjoyable. Want to take your betting to the next level? Explore our free betting tools and enhance your winning potential!

Frequently Asked Questions