Tennis betting: Best odds, in-play markets and how to bet

Stoking competition and rivalries at every turn, the fast-paced world of tennis has made itself a worldwide phenomenon, one that gives you ample opportunity to bet on just about every aspect of the sport!

From the hard courts of Australia, through to the red clay of Roland Garros and, green lawns of Wimbledon, here at Betway, you’ll have no trouble finding tennis betting odds for each of the major tournaments out there – which only leaves one question: Which tennis bets will you be making?

Whether you’re backing a specific player to win your preferred Open, or you simply want to get involved in the outcome of a particularly tough match, there's quite a bit of prep that goes into placing a successful tennis bet – which is why we’ve broken down the process below.

Here’s what you need to know about putting down a wager in the tennis market.

How to read tennis odds

If you’ve never made a tennis bet before, but you’ve dabbled with other types of sports betting in the past, then the good news is that UK tennis odds are going to look very familiar to you.

Using the same fractional odds system as the likes of football and rugby, tennis betting odds are designed to clearly show you how likely an event is to happen, and what your returns will be if it does.

For example:

• If a player entered Wimbledon’s final at odds of 8/1 and then won; for every £1 you put in, you’d win £8, for a total profit of £7. 
• On the other hand, if a player had longer odds of 20/3, each £3 bet would secure you £20 if they managed to win that match.

Of course, such tennis odds are not pulled out of thin air, and bookies put in plenty of time and effort to decide how to place the odds on each match based on a player’s current and past performances in that particular tournament and environment.

How to bet on tennis: A step-by-step guide

If you're new to tennis betting, getting started with Betway is quick and straightforward. Here's a simple example:

• Once signed up, head to the tennis section of the sportsbook where you can explore a variety of available betting markets.
• Select a market, such as Match Winner, where you're predicting which player will win the match.
• Review the odds and decide how much you would like to stake.
• Check the bet details and confirm your wager. With Betway, you can follow along with our app and live stats.

What are the latest tennis odds?

As with any sport, the latest tennis betting odds are constantly changing. Tennis odds can be based on several factors, such as form, injuries, the draw of a certain tournament and previous record on a particular playing surface. Regardless of who has the World Number One spot, there’s every chance it could change in the near future – which is where our team comes in.

Providing the latest odds for all current tennis events, including the majors and other big ATP and WTA Tour events, Betway is the best place to be if you want regular updates on the current tennis odds before placing any bets.

Which tennis bet markets should you try?

Now that you know how to read tennis odds, you probably want to know what markets to target. Featuring a wide variety of potential betting options, big tennis markets can be a little overwhelming to look at for the first time, so we’d suggest sticking to the following five options:

• Match winner – A simple bet on who will win the match, ideal if you have a strong view on the overall outcome.
• Correct score – A bet on the final match results or a particular set’s score, offering bigger returns if you predict the match flow accurately.
• Set betting – A bet on who will win a given set, useful if you expect momentum shifts during the match.
• Game betting – A bet on the total number of games played in a match, popular for closely contested matches that could go the distance.
• In-play betting – A form of betting while the match is in progress. Place bets on set outcomes, serves, and more while a game is still happening. This allows you to react to form, momentum and key moments such as breaks of serve.

What are the top tennis tournaments to bet on?

Although there are plenty of smaller tennis tournaments ongoing at any one time, when it comes to the biggest events of the season, there are four main ones to be aware of – The US Open, Wimbledon, The French Open, and the Australian Open.

Considered to be the most prestigious and important tournaments in all of tennis, only the true all-time greats get to qualify and compete. Here’s a quick look at what’s involved in each competition so you know what to consider for any wagers:

Wimbledon

By far the most well-known and prestigious tennis tournament of all time, Wimbledon is the only grass-court competition out of the major four tennis events, which makes it a uniquely challenging experience to play on

Even for experienced players, Wimbledon can be a bit of a wild card when it comes to performance, with those used to hard courts potentially struggling with the lower levels of grip and padded feel created by this court’s turf.

The US Open

The final Grand Slam of the tennis calendar, the US Open is played exclusively on acrylic hard courts, which are quite the change from Wimbledon’s carefully trimmed grass fields. These faster, more abrasive surfaces can have a big influence on form, which is why many bettors keep a close eye on US Open tennis odds as the tournament unfolds.

A power server’s dream, the US Open is well-suited to those players who favour an aggressive playstyle or possess good mental fortitude, as they may be required to push through multiple high-energy games late into the evening.

The French Open

Epitomised by its iconic red clay courts, out of all the major 4 tennis events, the French Open is considered the most challenging to play on – and French Open betting odds are generally tailored to reflect this unpredictability.

Seeing a higher bounce rate than all other court types yet hosting slower games in general, the rallies can be long and the friction firm. This in turn makes the French Open quite a tactical competition, requiring good training and a deep knowledge of their opponent’s style if players hope to come out ahead.

The Australian Open

The very first tournament of the tennis calendar, the Australian Open shares the same hard-court style as the US Open. However, unlike the air-conditioned courts of the US, the Australian Open is defined by its unpredictable weather.

In the Australian Open, court conditions can change on a daily basis, with extreme heat tiring players in the day, and cooler evening temperatures leading to longer pay sessions. Endurance is the name of the game here, and only the most physically and mentally prepared players are in with a shot of reaching the final.

And if you’re interested in putting down your next wager, simply sign up or log in to your Betway account and then head for the tennis market. From here, you pick any game of your choosing and start putting your betting skills to the test in just a few clicks.

How in-play tennis works and key strategies

One of the defining tennis betting markets, you can update, tweak, and place new bets during any currently happening games with our in-play tennis betting services, letting you adjust your betting strategy as games go on to maximise your potential winnings. This creates opportunities to react to momentum shifts, player injuries, weather conditions and changes in performance that may not have been reflected in pre-match markets.

One popular strategy is to watch for players who start slowly but have a strong record of recovering in matches. Others look for value when a favourite loses an early service game and their odds lengthen despite remaining competitive. Understanding each player's serving ability, recent form and performance on different court surfaces can also help inform smarter in-play decisions.

With tennis being a fast-moving sport, where momentum can change quickly, it's important to avoid chasing losses and to stick to a clear betting plan. Taking a measured approach can help you identify value while enjoying the excitement of live tennis betting.

Can I use the Betway app to bet on tennis?

No matter which tennis match interests you, you can download the Betway app for a comprehensive selection of tennis betting markets, letting you stay ahead of the game at every minute of play! Download it now from the Play Store or the  App Store to enjoy in-play betting, real-time updates, and exclusive offers right at your fingertips.

Responsible betting: Bankroll management and when to step back

Responsible betting is an important part of enjoying tennis betting. Setting a clear budget before you place any bets can help you stay in control and make more considered decisions.

When it comes to bankroll management, a common approach is to only stake a small percentage of your betting funds on each wager rather than risking a large amount on a single outcome. This can help reduce the impact of short-term losses and promote a more sustainable betting experience.

It's also important to recognise when it's time to take a break. If betting stops being enjoyable, you're betting more than you intended, or you're trying to recover losses quickly, stepping away can help you regain perspective

FAQ: Quick answers to common tennis betting questions

What is the best way to bet on tennis?

The best approach is to understand the market you're betting on, check recent form and surface records, manage stakes with a bankroll plan, and look for value (odds that imply a lower probability than your assessment).

What does +5.5 in tennis betting mean?

+5.5 means the player is given a 5.5-game head start; they win the bet if they avoid losing by six or more games overall, so any margin less than 6 covers the handicap.

Has anyone won 6-0 6-0 6-0 in tennis?

A 6-0 6-0 6-0 scoreline, known as a triple bagel in best-of-five, is extremely rare at professional level; such results have occurred historically but are exceptional.

Who is favourite to win men's Wimbledon?

Tournament favourites change with form and seedings; check the latest pre-tournament odds and player grass-court records.

How do tennis odds convert to implied probability?

Convert decimal odds to implied probability by dividing 1 by the decimal odds (e.g., odds 3.00 = 1/3 = 33.3% implied probability). then adjust for the bookmaker margin to estimate true probability.

How does live (in-play) tennis betting work?

In-play betting lets you place bets after a match starts; bookmakers update odds in real time based on scoring events, momentum shifts and algorithmic models - watch for latency and rapidly changing markets.

Glossary: Key tennis betting terms you should know

Understanding common tennis betting terminology can make it easier to navigate markets and place informed bets.

• Set betting: Predicting the exact set score, such as 2-0 or 3-1.
• Handicap betting: Giving one player a virtual advantage or disadvantage to create a more competitive market.
• Total games (Over/Under): Betting on whether the total number of games played will be above or below a specified line.
• Tie-break: A game played to decide a set when the score reaches 6-6, depending on tournament rules.
• Break point: A point where the receiving player can win the server's game.
• Live or in-play betting: Betting on a match after it has started, with odds that update throughout play.
• Outright betting: A wager on the player who will win an entire tournament rather than an individual match.

Learning these key terms can help you better understand tennis betting markets and identify opportunities across ATP, WTA and Grand Slam events throughout the season.