Main Tennis Betting Markets

Tennis offers a wide range of markets, each with its own features.

Match winner — a basic bet on who will win the match. In tennis there are no draws: one player always wins, which makes this market straightforward. Odds depend on the balance of power, current form, and court surface.

Game handicap allows you to level the chances between the favorite and the underdog. For example, if a bookmaker gives a −4.5 game handicap on the stronger player, they must win the match by a margin of at least 5 games. Set handicap works similarly, but takes into account the difference in sets won.

Total games — a bet on whether more or fewer than the specified number of games will be played in the match. For example, total 22.5: if 23 games or more are played in the match — "over" wins, if 22 or fewer — "under" wins. The total depends on the players' style, surface, and tournament format.

Correct score in sets — a bet on the final result of the match in sets, for example 2:0 or 2:1. This is a riskier market with higher odds, requiring an accurate prediction of how the match will unfold.

Set winner — a bet on who will win a specific set (first, second, and so on). This market allows you to bet on individual segments of the match without predicting the final outcome.

Tennis Features for Betting

Tennis as a sport has a number of characteristics that are important to consider when choosing a bet.

No draw. In tennis a winner is always determined; a match cannot end in a draw. This simplifies the "match winner" market and makes it one of the most popular.

Court surface. Hard court, clay, and grass affect ball speed and playing style differently. On fast surfaces (hard court, grass), players with powerful serves win more often; on slow surfaces (clay) — those who play well in long rallies. Consider players' preferences before betting.

Match format. In men's tennis at Grand Slam tournaments, matches are played to three sets won (maximum 5 sets); at other tournaments — to two sets won (maximum 3 sets). In women's tennis, almost everywhere matches are played to two sets won. The format affects match duration and total games.

Live betting. Tennis is ideal for live betting: the score changes after every point, and odds are adjusted during the game. However, account for broadcast delay — odds on the bookmaker's site may update faster than the picture on your screen. This creates a risk of making decisions based on outdated information.

Player Retirement and Bet Settlement Rules

Retirement (a player withdrawing from a match due to injury or other reasons) is a common situation in tennis, and bookmakers' bet settlement rules vary. Some operators settle match winner bets in favor of the player who remained on court, others refund bets (odds 1.0), and still others apply special conditions depending on when the retirement occurred.

Before registering and placing your first bet, carefully read the rules section on the bookmaker's site, especially points concerning unfinished matches. This will help avoid misunderstandings when settling bets.

Bet Calculation Example

Suppose you place a 500 hryvnia bet on player A to win with odds of 1.85. If player A wins the match, your payout will be 500 × 1.85 = 925 hryvnia. Net profit — 425 hryvnia (925 − 500). If player A loses, you lose 500 hryvnia.

When betting on over 22.5 games with odds of 1.90 and an amount of 300 hryvnia: if 23 games or more are played in the match, the payout will be 300 × 1.90 = 570 hryvnia, net profit — 270 hryvnia. If 22 games or fewer are played — the bet loses.

Common Beginner Mistakes

Betting on the favorite without considering the surface. A player who dominates on clay may show weak results on grass. Always check statistics on the specific surface.

Ignoring tournament format. Matches to two sets won and to three sets won require different approaches to predicting totals and correct scores.

Betting based on delayed broadcast in live. Odds may change before you see the key moment on screen. Account for this factor or avoid live betting.

Neglecting settlement rules for retirements. Not knowing how a bookmaker settles bets when a player retires can lead to unexpected loss of funds or a refund instead of an expected payout.

Betting without considering player fatigue. A tight tournament schedule, especially at the end of the season, affects players' physical condition. Check how many matches a player has played in the past week.

Legality of Sports Betting in Ukraine

Law No. 768-IX of July 14, 2020 legalized the gambling market in Ukraine, including online sports betting. Since April 1, 2025, the main part of Law No. 4116-IX has been in effect, which transferred regulatory functions to the State Agency of Ukraine "PlayCity," under the Ministry of Digital Transformation. PlayCity maintains a public register of licensees; bookmakers can obtain a license under the same conditions as online casinos. According to the head of PlayCity (July 2026), the agency has blocked more than 9,500 illegal sites and mirrors.

The bookmakers SpinBetter, Pinnacle, Slotoro, and Unibet do not hold a PlayCity license and are considered unlicensed in Ukraine. Their sites are subject to blocking, and players receive no protection from the Ukrainian regulator. In case of a dispute with an unlicensed operator, you cannot count on help from the Ukrainian regulator. Winnings from a PlayCity-licensed operator are subject to personal income tax at 18% and a military levy of 5% — a total of 23% for the period of the increased military levy. The operator withholds tax as a tax agent. In case of winnings from a foreign operator, there is no tax agent in Ukraine, so the obligation to declare income falls on the player.

Responsible Gaming

Participation in sports betting is permitted only for persons over 21 years of age. Before placing a bet, set a budget you are willing to spend and do not exceed it. Betting should remain entertainment, not a way to earn money or solve financial problems. Take breaks, do not gamble on credit, and do not try to chase losses by increasing your bets.

If you feel you are losing control over your betting, use self-limitation tools. The law requires licensed operators to implement spending limits and mandatory breaks. You can submit a self-limitation application on the State Agency of Ukraine "PlayCity" website (with a qualified electronic signature) or in person. The restriction is valid from 6 months to 3 years and cannot be revoked early. Licensees are not permitted to allow such persons to play.

Author: Jewgienij Ja. · Updated: 22.10.2026