Betting on Tennis: How, Why, and Where Fans Are Wagering Around the World

Tennis is a year-round sport with major events, such as the Grand Slam, played in different locations globally. While betting on tennis adds to the excitement of the game, it differs in each country. Whether choosing which player to bet on to or understanding how to actually place bets, it’s helpful to know the differences. Weather, court surfaces, time of year, and player fatigue all contribute to picking a winner. Each country has its own regulations and ways to place bets. It can get confusing, so here’s how it all works around the world.

The four Grand Slam tennis events are the most coveted. While it’s every professional player’s dream to win not one but all four, only two men and three women have ever achieved this in a single calendar year. The four host countries—Australia, France, the UK, and the USA—are considered the tennis centers of the world, and betting in each works slightly differently.

While it’s never easy to predict who’s going to win a match, here’s what bettors look for when choosing who to bet on and where and how to place their wagers.

The Australian Open in January is the first of the Grand Slam events. This is the hottest month of the year, with temperatures averaging 28°C (82°F). The courts are hard surfaces, and players with the most stamina and ability to play in such heat are the standouts. Games are sometimes delayed or temporarily halted due to extreme weather fluctuations—another factor that impacts betting.

Placing bets via bookmakers is standard in Australia. Tabcorp is the primary one in the country, and bets can be made by phone, online via the app or website, or at a branch. Physical bookmakers can be found at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne on game day. Social betting at Australia’s many sports bars is extremely popular on match days. Because games can be delayed or halted, live betting is becoming more popular than ever, with apps Ladbrokes and Bet365 the two most widely used.

Number two on the Grand Slam list is the French Open held late May or early June, just at the start of the European summer. It’s played on clay courts, and players with stamina and who prefer to play from the baseline are those that bettors tend to follow. The French Open usually provides the most upsets in the year, making betting exciting, stressful, and often disappointing for fans.

Pari-Mutuel Urbain (PMU) is the leading sports betting provider in the country, offering both physical branches and online options. Betting apps are next most popular outside PMU, with YesOrNo and Betclic the market leaders.

Wimbledon, also known as the home of tennis, is the longest-running Grand Slam tournament and is held at the beginning of July every year. It’s played on grass courts, a dream for serve-and-volley players. Many bettors feel that Wimbledon is the easiest place to choose winning players, as favorites often succeed and there are fewer upsets than at the other three venues.

High Street bookmakers are the most popular ways to place bets on tennis and have been the go-tos for decades. They have online and physical locations with William Hill, Ladbrokes, and Paddy Power—the three most dominant in the sector. Bet365 and BetUK are the leading betting apps in the UK and see a surge of activity during Wimbledon.

The US Open in New York City in September rounds off the Grand Slam events. Like in Australia, it’s played on hard courts, and it’s usually the wildcard players that shine here. Unpredictability defines the US Open, and while some hardcore bettors believe that it’s the most powerful players who’ll win, they’re often surprised by up-and-comers.

Unlike the other three countries, where betting is regulated nationally, in the US it varies by state. This means that the betting options change based on the bettor’s location. In states like Nevada and New Jersey, where sports betting is legalized, bettors can find physical sportsbooks. For most of the rest of the country, betting apps are king, with FanDuel and DraftKings the most popular for tennis fans.

There are major tennis events across the globe every month, but the two most popular outside the Grand Slams are part of the ATP world tour and are held in Italy and Canada.

One of the most prestigious tennis events outside the Grand Slam is the Internazionali BNL d’Italia in Rome. It’s a joint ATP Masters 1000 and WTA 1000 event, one tier below Grand Slam, where the who’s who of tennis meet and play. Considered the warmup to the French Open, it’s also played on a clay court. The winners here are often the patient, baseline-oriented players who excel at long rallies.

Betting is primarily done at retail shops and kiosks across the country or via dedicated apps, with the three most popular being Snai, Sisal, and Eurobet.

The National Bank Cup (formerly the Canadian Open) is held every year in late July or early August and is also an ATP Masters 1000 and WTA 1000, so it attracts the biggest names in tennis. It’s considered a preview of the US Open, as it’s also played on hard courts a month earlier. Players have just come off the European clay court circuit, so fatigue is a consideration when choosing who to bet on.

Online betting is the most popular option, with top Canadian casino apps that also offer sportsbooks being fan favorites. Bet365, Sports Interaction, and Betway are the three most commonly used standalone sportsbook apps.

Whether you’re an armchair viewer or physically attend as many matches as you can, you’re now more educated in how to pick a winner and where to place your bets. From how each court surface and climate favors some players over others to the time of year when each event is held, there are many things to consider. While betting apps appear to be a sure-fire option for placing bets in most countries, local options may offer better value. Remember to always gamble responsibly; follow your head, not your heart.