7 Popular Ways to Bet on Tennis (And How Each One Works)
Tennis is one of the most exciting sports to bet on, thanks to its one-on-one format, fast momentum swings, and year-round schedule. Whether you’re new to tennis betting or looking to diversify your wagers, there are plenty of ways to get in on the action.
Here are seven of the most common ways to bet on tennis, plus how each market works.
🎾 1. Moneyline Betting (Match Winner)
What it is: The most straightforward tennis bet—you’re picking who wins the match.
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Example:
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Novak Djokovic -180
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Carlos Alcaraz +150
→ A $180 bet on Djokovic wins $100 if he wins; a $100 bet on Alcaraz wins $150 if he wins.
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Best for: Beginners or bettors with a strong opinion on the match outcome.
📈 2. Game Spread (Handicap)
What it is: Betting on how many total games a player wins compared to their opponent, adjusted by a spread.
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Example:
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Iga Swiatek -4.5 games vs. Coco Gauff
→ Swiatek must win at least 5 more games than Gauff (e.g., 6–2, 6–3 = +7 games)
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Best for: Spotting blowout potential or close-match value.
🔢 3. Set Betting (Correct Score)
What it is: Predicting the exact score of the match in terms of sets won.
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Example:
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Daniil Medvedev to win 3–1 in sets
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Odds: +350
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Best for: Bettors who can accurately predict how a match will unfold.
🧠 4. Over/Under Total Games
What it is: Betting on whether the total number of games played in the match goes over or under a set number.
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Example:
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Total games: Over/Under 21.5
→ A 6–4, 6–3 result = 19 games = Under
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Best for: Tight matchups or when you expect long sets.
🔄 5. Live Betting (In-Play)
What it is: Betting on a match while it’s happening, with odds that update after every point, game, or set.
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Markets include:
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Next point winner
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Next game winner
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Updated match winner odds
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Best for: Sharp bettors who can read momentum or capitalize on comebacks.
👤 6. Player Props
What it is: Bets based on individual player performance or milestones, often found in major tournaments.
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Examples:
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Total aces
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Double faults
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1st set winner
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Player to win a set
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Best for: Targeting player-specific strengths or weaknesses.
🧩 7. Futures Betting
What it is: Long-term bets on tournament outcomes or rankings.
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Examples:
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Rafael Nadal to win the French Open (+600)
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Coco Gauff to finish the year ranked #1
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Best for: Early predictions, value hunting, or long-term rooting interest.
🎯 Final Thought
Tennis offers one of the most dynamic betting environments in sports—thanks to its point-by-point structure, individual nature, and global reach. Whether you’re betting a live underdog comeback or riding a heavy favorite on the spread, there’s a market for every kind of strategy.
Before betting, always consider surface (clay, grass, hard court), recent form, head-to-head history, and injuries—tennis is a sport where the smallest edge can make the biggest difference.