Tennis Betting Sites USA Guide
Tennis is one of the world’s most popular sports, and tennis betting is increasing in popularity especially in the USA. More and more people are getting in on the action, with the sport generating nearly as much money as soccer and horse racing in the UK, for example. The game is fast-paced, the dominating players tend to change with more frequency than in other sports, and offers a wide array of markets and tournaments throughout the year.
Believed to have it origins in 12th century Europe when monks in France and Italy played a game of jeu de paume (game of the hand) when they smacked balls with their bare hands. The precursor to the modern version of the game was enjoyed by King Louis X and King Charles V of France, and King Henry VIII of England. King Henry took the game very seriously, even building the Royal Palace of Hampton Court which still exists today.
Then, with the rise of the grass court, modern tennis was being developed. While Major Charles Wingfield is credited with the modern game we enjoy today. Additionally, in 1874, Wingfield patented the equipment and rules of the game.
Let’s take a look at tennis betting for US bettors, the top betting lines, tennis betting tips, and some of the year’s biggest events.
Best US Sportsbooks for Tennis Betting
Find the top sports betting sites for the best US tennis betting odds below.
What you’ll find in this tennis betting guide:
Popular Tennis Betting Lines
Tennis betting odds are available on nearly every betting market. They’re also found on just about any tennis match being played in America and around the world. Keeping in mind the basics of tennis betting, we’ll be taking a look at the most common tennis betting lines you can wager on.
In-Play Betting
Growing in popularity thanks to its exciting fast-paced action, in-play is about placing bets as the match is being played. US bettors can bet on events as they happen like who will take the next set, or who will hit the next ace.
Handicap Betting
Similar to spread betting in other sports, tennis handicap is the equivalent. Tennis spreads are divided into two – game handicaps and set handicaps.
- Game handicaps: Let’s say Player A is given a number of games as a handicap to level the playing field against Player B. Therefore, you either wager on Player A not only winning but overcoming their handicap advantage or on Player B making up their handicap disadvantage and winning.
- Set handicaps: This type of handicapping in tennis spreads work similarly to game handicaps. However, the difference lies in that the handicap is based on sets rather than games.
Match Betting
This is tennis betting’s version of money line betting. Here a bettor wagers on who will win the single match on that day.
Over/Under Betting
Also known as totals betting, this is also a form of handicap betting in tennis. Here, you’ll be looking at either the number of sets that will be played or the number of games. Ultimately, it’s a two-way bet where you bet on the number of games or set being more (over) or less (under) the number set by the oddsmakers.
Outright Betting
Finally, there’s outright tennis betting. Similar to futures bets in other sports, bettors will be predicting who wins the tournament. This betting market is usually open before the tournament starts.
How to Bet on Tennis
To become adept at tennis betting, you’ll need to know how to bet on tennis. Let’s take a look at some basic steps below:
- Find a trustworthy tennis sportsbook. Check out our recommended sites above to find great sports betting websites with competitive tennis betting odds.
- Sign up to create a betting account and make your first deposit. Usually, after you’ve done this you can claim your welcome bonus and free bets.
- Go to the tennis tab and look for the tournament you wish to wager on.
- Pick the match that you want to bet on, the player, and the type of bet.
- Add in the amount you’re wagering, click on submit, and hopefully you’ve backed the right player.
Tennis Betting Tips
Even though tennis may seem like any other sport, there are certain aspects you need to consider when betting on a player or a match. Our expert tennis bettors have compiled a list of tips to keep in mind:
- Understand the Player: No two tennis players are alike. Therefore, it’s important to understand that players have different strength and weaknesses. This makes some better in certain conditions than others.
- Check which Surface They’re Playing on: Tennis courts come in four main different surfaces – clay, grass, hardcourt, and carpet. Each surface affects the ball’s speed and the player’s performance. Be sure to know which player performs well on which surface.
- Check the Player’s Head-to-Head Record: Another great way to inform your bets. Some players are big-servers, baseline players, defensive players, those that like playing from the net, and all-rounders. Keeping these in mind will give you an edge.
- Take Note of Their Form: If a player is struggling today, they’ll most likely struggle tomorrow. A change in fortune in tennis is generally not seen over a game.
Check out our other sports betting guides:
Biggest Tennis Events
Let’s take a look at tennis betting and the industry’s biggest tournaments.
The Grands Slams
International tennis has four grand slam events:
- Australian Open
- French Open
- US Open
- Wimbledon
These are the most prestigious tennis tournaments for any tennis player. There’s fame, ranking, and prize money to be claimed. Played over two weeks, there are five categories: men’s singles, women’s singles, men’s doubles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles. Furthermore, there are junior and wheelchair championships to be won.
Australian Open
The opening grand slam of the year, the Australian Open is takes place on the hardcourt in Melbourne Park, Melbourne. The tournament takes place in mid-January. The first one was played in 1905 and was designated a grand slam tournament in 1924. To date Serena Williams is the most successful women’s singles player in the Australian Open with seven wins. Novak Djokovic is the leading men’s singles player, winning it six times.
French Open
From end of May until early June each year, the French Open is the Championnats Internationaux de France de tennis. Also known as the Roland Garros, it’s played on a clay court at the Stade Roland-Garros. Playing on clay provides a much tougher condition resulting in longer rallies and plays from behind the baseline. Rafael Nadal has dominated the French Open, to date he’s won the tournament 11 times.
US Open
One of the most popular grand slams of the year, the US Open is played on the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York. It starts on the last Monday of August. Founded in 1881, it’s one of tennis’ oldest tournaments still being played. It was first played in New Port and then moved to the hardcourts of the Billie Jean King Center 1978. Additionally, it is known as the grand slam with the largest prize money on offer. Jimmy Connors, Roger Federer, and Pete Sampras all hold the title of most men’s singles win with five titles each. Chris Evert and Serena Williams hold the record for women’s singles win with six titles each.
Wimbledon
Thought of as the ultimate tennis tournament by both fans and players, it’s also the oldest tournament in the world. It was first held in 1877 at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, London. Beginning on the first Monday in July, it’s the only grand slam played on grass. The women’s trophy is known as the Venus Rosewater Dish while the men’s trophy is the Gentlemen’s Singles Trophy. Roger Federer has won the most men’s singles with eight titles. Martina Navratilova has won the most women’s singles titles with nine titles.
Davis Cup & Fed Cup
This tournament is considered the World Cup of tennis with players representing their home countries. Held annually, the Davis Cup is the men’s game and the Fed Cup is the women’s game. There’s a qualification round and then it moves to a top 16 round where 16 teams play in four rounds eventually leading up to the finals. Each tie is played in a best-of-five format over two days for the Fed Cup and three days for the Davis Cup.
Olympic Tennis
Officially recognized as an Olympic sport in 1896, it became a permanent feature in the tournament in 1988. There are five tennis events at the Olympics – men’s singles, women’s singles, men’s doubles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles. Olympic tennis games are usually held on hardcourts but this varies depending on the host country. The top Olympic tennis player is Venus Williams with four gold medals and one silver medals.