Tennis is one of the most prestigious games in the world. It is also a great source of entertainment due to the action-packed play and intense aggression displayed by opponents. This is the main reason why tennis betting in South Africa is becoming popular. The history of this sport stretches back to the 19th century and today, thousands of players participate in various tournaments throughout the calendar year. The Australian Open, US Open, and Wimbledon are among the most revered tournaments on the planet. However, there are plenty of junior and senior competitions spread across SA provinces.

To kick start your journey as a pro bettor, it is essential that you learn as much as you can about the sport. Therefore, in this review, we’ll discuss the basics of tennis and what beginners can do to capitalize on the abundant tennis betting odds offered by top sportsbooks. Not all gambling websites will serve you great deals but this guide will outline the most critical qualities that you must look for before committing to a specific bookmaker.

Understanding the rules

Tennis is played on a rectangular court with a bouncy felt-covered ball that players must hit with a racket. The tennis court is set either on grass or clay and a net runs across the center. In a singles game, there is one player on each side of the net. Doubles, as you may have guessed, involve teams of two. A doubles team may consist of same sex or mixed players.

The goal is to score more points than your adversary. To score a point, the player must send the ball over the net and into the other player’s service area, without touching the net. The idea is to make it impossible for the other player to return the ball. When you win 6 games, while leading your opponent by 2, it’s a set. To claim the match, a player or team must win more sets than the opposite side. The easiest way to wager in tennis betting is to predict the match winner.

Basic Terms

To help you understand the sport a little bit more, let’s look at some of the most common terms in tennis.

Where to find Tennis betting websites?

South Africa has always enjoyed a culture of sports gambling. In today’s digital world, the country has a properly regulated online tennis betting industry. Nonetheless, there are no guaranties that you will always get a quality experience.

First of all, an ideal sportsbook must be licensed by a recognized governing body such as the Western Cape Racing Board. The regulator will intervene when the operator fails to resolve a dispute. Another factor to consider is value. You must make sure that the website has a reputation for offering high odds on tennis so that you can make great profits.

You work really hard for your money and it is imperative that the bookmaker supports safe and convenient payment options. A bookmaker which accepts Instant EFT will protect your funds and help you manage your bankroll. Finally, a good bookmaker should offer diverse betting options and an attractive sign-up bonus to boost the punter’s morale.    

Which are the most popular tournaments?

Tennis is a globally acclaimed sport and there are plenty of countries around the world that run lucrative open tournaments. More sportsbooks are incorporating these high-profile events to keep punters busy. So, in addition to grass tennis betting, you can also make money on matches played on other surfaces.

There are a few countries that have invested immensely to produce exceptional competitions with huge prizes for the players. Tennis South Africa also hosts several tourneys for senior and junior players. Here are some popular events favoured by tennis betting sites.  

Australian Open

The Australian Open is the first of four annual tennis events known as the Grand Slam competitions. The tournament was launched in 1905 and each year 128 singles are invited to participate in the competition.  The Australian Open is overseen by the International Tennis Federation (ITF).

The prize money in 2022 was 75,000,000 AUD. The other three events making up the Grand Slam are Wimbledon, US Open, and French Open clay tennis tournament. Some of the most notable players with Grand Slam Titles are Novak Djokovic, Margaret Court, and Serena Williams.

The Olympics

Unlike the Grand Slam events, the Olympics are more about prestige than prize money.  Participating countries must send out teams with both singles and doubles players. Players will receive various medals for their achievements during the games. During the Olympics many sportsbooks will offer a great selection of tennis betting odds which punters can take advantage of. You can even place your bet on a match that is already underway with live wagering.

Davis Cup

The Davis Cup is a senior men’s team tournament in which countries from all the world participate. Eighteen top teams are selected to join the World Group, which is the highest level and the competition uses a round robin format. Other teams can still play in regional groups. South Africa has done very well in the Africa region.

South African Spring Open

The South African Spring Open is the most important tennis event in the country. The tournament was established in 2019 and is governed by ITF. Several international players have participated in this event that typically starts in August or September. This is another exciting tennis betting opportunity as you will be able to rally behind plenty of local players.

Gauteng East Grand Prix

This is a junior tournament for under 10 and under 18 players. The competition is organized by the Gauteng East Tennis Association and governed by Tennis South Africa. The goal of the event is to promote the sport at schools and in the community. Young players come from all parts of the country to participate in this tournament.

Short history and facts

Evidence of the earliest racket games was first recorded in the 16^th century. Nonetheless, modern tennis surfaced in the final half of the 19^th century. Two friends played the first lawn tennis game in Birmingham around 1860 and in 1872 they launched the first tennis club. The game’s popularity spread to the United States and in 1881, the country formalized the sport by establishing a regulatory body now known as the US Tennis Association.

By 1900, many nations including SA had set up a major tournament. The racket was originally made of wood and the nets from animal gut. Today designers are using synthetic materials. The South African Open launched in 1891. In 1974, India boycotted a match against SA in the finals of the Davis Cup World Group to protest against Apartheid.  However, Johan Kriek was the first South African to win a Grand Slam title in 1981.

Final thoughts

More and more sports gambling platforms across the world are offering tennis betting. The sport is one of the oldest and has significantly evolved over the years. A singles game has one player on each side while a double has two players on each side. The main equipment is a racket and a bouncy ball. You can bet on local tournaments such as the South African Spring Open or on international competitions like Davis Cup.  

As part of our tennis betting tips, we urge beginners to learn all the rules of the game before embarking on this journey. Not all sportsbooks are equipped to offer quality gambling services. Therefore, as a punter, you will need to make sure that the website you choose offers top betting odds, safe deposit methods, and generous signup promotions. The most important factor to consider is if your bookmaker licensed by a well-known governing body.

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