Tennis Betting Explained

27 December 2022 | ,

The 2023 tennis season is just ahead of us and with it there is a lot of opportunity for you to bet. In this guide we give you some guidance on how to start betting on tennis, explain markets and exciting tournaments.

Tennis betting is a popular way for fans of the sport to add excitement to their viewing experience and potentially also make some money.

Tennis betting markets

There are a variety of markets to bet on when it comes to tennis. Understanding the different options available can help you make more informed decisions and hence potentially increase your chances of winning.

Outright Winner

One of the most common tennis betting markets is the outright winner of a tournament or match. This is a simple bet where you pick the player you think will win the tournament/match. The odds on this market will change, depending on how the players are performing.

Handicap betting

Another popular market is the handicap market. A virtual head start is given to the underdog, making the betting more even. This market can be useful for betting on a strong favorite as the handicap gives the underdog a better chance of winning.

Games and Set Betting

A third popular market to bet on in tennis is the total games market. You bet on the total number of games that will be played in a match. Pick this market for example when betting on a match between two players with different playing styles. Sometimes one player might be more likely to win a lot of games quickly.

A fourth market is the set betting market. As the name implies you bet on the winner of each set in a match. This market can be useful for betting on a match between two players with different playing styles. One player might be more likely to win the first set, while the other player might be more likely to win the second set.

In addition, you can also bet on individual games, point, tie breaks and many more.

Overall, there are usually a variety of tennis betting markets available. Have a look through the best betting sites and check what they offer.

Where to place your bets

All of the best SA sports betting sites offer tennis betting in their sportsbook. Hence you have a great choice and can shop around. Most bookies feature great welcome offers for new players. These are valid on sports betting and hence also for placing bets on tennis.

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Furthermore there are regular tennis betting offers and also special competitions. Especially around the four big Grand Slam tournaments you will find bookies’s specials. We feature the best offers in our news section as well as on promotions updates.

Tennis tournaments to bet on

Tennis is played all year long and therefore betting on tennis is always possible. Below we have listed some great tennis tournaments that you might want to consider betting on as a start:

Grand Slam tournaments

The best tennis tournaments in the world are the four Grand Slam events. These are the Australian Open, the French Open (Roland Garros), Wimbledon, and the US Open. Considered as the most prestigious tournaments in the sport they attract the top players from around the world – and with it great betting options.

  1. The Australian Open is the first Grand Slam tournament of the year and takes place in January. The tournament is known for its hard courts and the hot summer weather in Melbourne.
  2. The second grand Slam, the French Open, takes place in May and June in Paris. It is the premier clay court tennis championship event in the world.
  3. Thirdly, there is Wimbledon, possibly the the most prestigious tennis tournament in the world.
  4. Lastly, the fourth and final Grand Slam tournament of the year, the US Open, takes place in August / September.

SA tennis tournaments

In addition to the Grand Slam tournaments there is a lot more tennis tour action throughout the year across the globe. Even so we love to bet on tennis there are not too many events happening any longer on our home ground. In former times there were the South African Open, the Johannesburg Open as well as the Durban Open. These have all disappeared. One notable tournament that is still on is the ITF Women’s Circuit, held in Pretoria

In conclusion, the Grand Slam tournaments are the most anticipated tennis events in the world. Many tennis fans around the world followed them and hence they are great events for tennis betting, both pre-match as well as live. In addition there are many other notable tournaments happening across the globe, unfortunately not many in South Africa.

Tennis betting promotions

As mentioned earlier it’s possible to place your tennis bets nearly all year round. There is always a ATP tour event or local tournament on. Highlight of each year’s tennis season are definitely the 4 Grand Slam tournaments. Many bookmakers add special promotions and competitions for these big four. Betway SA is always at the forefront of tennis betting.

For example for the 2023 Australian Open Betway runs a special competition, giving you the chance to win your share of R500,000. Moreover, Playabets offers you a R100 Australian Open Bonus.

But aside from these tournament-specific promotions some bookies have good always-on offers for tennis betting. A few examples are the following:

  • Betcoza Live In-Play Promo: take 7 live in-play tennis bets and get your average stake back as a free bet up to R500.
  • Sportingbet Tennis Multi Special. Don’t be let down by one player! Sportingbet gives you your money back as a Free Bet if one leg lets your 5+ tennis accumulator down.

Don’t forget that as a new player you can make use of great welcome offers which are valid on sports and hence also tennis betting.

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One of the world's leading bookmakers with an incredible selection of sports and games as well as a rewarding loyalty program.
  • Optimised for mobile + data free offer
  • Generous bonuses and promotions
  • Jika Sports, BetGames, Lucky Numbers
R25 Free Bonus +50 Free Spins
Leading South African bookmaker who offers the best in sports betting and casino games entertainment - a must for every punter!
  • Great, competitive odds
  • Generous, regular promotions
  • Live In-Play, BetGames, Lucky Numbers
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  • Great Welcome Offer
  • Aviator,Various Slots & Premier Spins
  • Bet Vegas Live Games
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  • Wide range of bonuses and promotions
  • Slots, Instant & Live Games
  • Lots of special features
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  • Great Welcome Bonus
  • Extensive sports markets
  • Slots, Aviator and Live Games
100% 1st Deposit Match up to R3 000
South Africa’s one stop betting destination with over 1 million sports betting opportunities & best Premier League Odds.
  • Good bonuses with fair wagering requirements
  • Slots, Aviator and Live Casino Games
  • 24/7 support
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  • Excellent mobile betting experience
  • Lucky Numbers, Betgames, Slots & Live Games
  • Live Betting on many sports
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  • 4 Dep. Matches up to R16 000
  • Live In Multi Play View
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up to R3,000 Bonus+300 Free Spins
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  • Triple Welcome Bonus
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  • Slots, Live Games & Betgames
  • Great betting on mobile

While placing your tennis bets please remember to bet responsibly and within your means. Do your research before placing a bet and familiarise yourself with the sport and the markets. We hope this guide helps you starting with tennis betting.

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