As the Wimbledon Tennis Open unfolds with great enthusiasm, the industry is focusing on a key issue: Is micro-market betting gradually surpassing traditional match-win betting as the core driver of growth in tennis betting?
Pragmatic Play's Senior Vice President of Sports, Gareth Crook, and Bettormetrics' Chief Revenue Officer, Sabin Brooks, have recently delved into the rapid rise of in-play betting and micro-markets in tennis events. They point out that tennis, with its compact structure and fast pace, is naturally suited to real-time betting and point-by-point settlement. Crook revealed that in tennis events, over 75% of bets occur after the match has started, in stark contrast to sports like football, which traditionally prefer pre-match betting.
However, to maximize the value of in-play betting, the "viewing lifespan" of the event itself is crucial. The dominance of top seeds in early rounds often leads to quick match conclusions, which directly diminishes the activity of the betting market. Crook cited an example from the 2025 French Open, where the betting revenue from five-set battles was almost double that of matches completed in two sets, with a 50% higher betting volume.
Brooks further noted that bettors do not abstain from betting due to low odds, but rather due to the lack of sufficient time windows in one-sided matches. Therefore, when the outcome of the match is almost certain, micro-markets—such as the number of games, sets, total points, and specific score markets—become the new focus for bettors.
Data shows that in the 192 matches before the 2025 French Open, nearly one-third had odds of 1.3 or lower. Although the win-loss market had limited appeal, through handicaps, score markets, and point-by-point betting, participation was still successfully maintained, especially when star players were involved.
The rule structure of tennis also provides an ideal environment for micro-betting. A clear scoring system and frequent pauses allow users to engage in betting throughout the event. However, this advantage comes with high data requirements. Crook emphasized that real-time, accurate official data is the lifeline of in-play betting, and delayed settlements can greatly impair the player experience. He noted, "Obtaining official data licensing is crucial for high-quality market pricing and settlements."
Pricing issues are also a major challenge for micro-markets. Although early rounds may feature many "unknown" players, Brooks believes that in Grand Slam tournaments, the vast majority of players are within the top 200 world rankings, and pricing errors are not more frequent than in other sports. "Although there is information asymmetry in qualifying or wildcard stages, such arbitrage opportunities are usually consumed by professional players before the market opens," he said.
Additionally, unpredictable factors such as player injuries or uneven court performance can affect early model assumptions, thus operators need professional tools and the ability to adjust in real-time to cope with potential drastic fluctuations during matches.
In the era of star transitions, tennis faces the challenge of maintaining global attention. With legends like Federer, Nadal, and Serena retiring, newcomers like Alcaraz and Sinner are taking over. Crook pointed out, "The rise of new faces is crucial for attracting the next generation of fans, and the combination of micro-betting and star power will be a dual engine driving the development of tennis betting."
Brooks added that to retain bettors, operators need to offer attractive odds, provide markets that are open for as long as possible, and optimize user experience to make betting enjoyable during frequent match pauses.
Despite still facing challenges such as pricing pressure, high data costs, and limited broadcast coverage, both experts believe that tennis will continue to play a crucial role in the betting industry. Brooks stated, "Tennis has found the perfect balance between event frequency and betting rhythm, making it a testing ground for micro-betting formats."
The continuous, year-round nature of global events keeps tennis at the forefront of operator attention. Crook concluded, "Although media attention is limited outside of the Grand Slams, tennis will remain a core position in sports betting due to its scale, rhythm, and structural advantages."
