What Does Under 22.5 Mean in Tennis?
If you’re new to tennis betting you’ve probably seen “under 22.5” and wondered what it means.
Tennis betting has its own language and understanding it is key to making informed decisions about how to bet on the sport successfully.
One of the most common types of bet is the over/under market and today we’re going to explain what “under 22.5” means in tennis betting as well as looking at some strategies for betting on it.
The Basics: Over/Under Betting
Over/under is one of the most common types of bet in tennis.
You don’t have to predict the winner of the match; you’re betting on the total number of games in the match.
The bookmaker sets a line and you decide if the total number of games will be over or under that line.
When you see “under 22.5” in tennis betting it means the total number of games in the match.
In this case you’re betting the total number of games will be under 22.5.
Since tennis doesn’t have half games the “0.5” ensures there’s no tie.
So if you bet on “under 22.5” you’re betting 22 or less games will be played in the match.
How Does It Work in Reality?
Let’s use an example:
A match between Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev.
If you bet on “under 22.5” you’re hoping the total number of games played between the two players is 22 or less.
Here’s how games are counted in a tennis match:
- To win a set in tennis takes 6 games with a 2 game margin (6-4, 6-3 etc.)
- If the players are tied 6-6 a tiebreaker is played and that still counts as 1 game (7-6 is the final score after a tiebreak).
Let’s say Djokovic wins the match 6-3, 6-4. To calculate the total games:
- First set: 6 + 3 = 9 games
- Second set: 6 + 4 = 10 games
- Total games: 9 + 10 = 19 games
In this case if you had bet on “under 22.5” your bet would have won as the total number of games (19) is under 22.5.
The bookies usually offer other over/under totals on tennis matches:
- Over/under 20.5
- Over/under 21.5
- Over/under 23.5
- And so on.
They all work in the same way as the over/under 22.5.
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Strategies for Betting on “under 22.5”
Betting on “under 22.5” requires some analysis of the players, their form and the match conditions.
Here are some approaches to consider:
1. Player Gaps
If there’s a big skill gap between the two players betting on “under 22.5” might be a good option.
For example if a top seeded player like Carlos Alcaraz is playing a much lower ranked opponent the match will probably be one sided.
The top player is likely to win quickly in straight sets and therefore fewer games will be played overall.
2. Player Form
Even top players have slumps or off days and lower ranked players can go on hot streaks.
Checking recent form can give you an idea of how competitive the match will be.
If both players are in good form and known for grinding out long matches “under 22.5” might not be the best bet.
But if one player is in poor form and prone to losing quickly “under 22.5” might be a safer bet.
3. Playing Style
Playing styles can have a big impact on how many games are played.
Aggressive players who like to serve and volley win their service games quickly which means shorter matches.
Defensive players who rely on long rallies and wearing down their opponents tend to play longer matches.
For example if you know a player like Rafael Nadal is playing a clay court specialist who can push games into long rallies it might be wise to avoid an “under” bet.
If a player with a big serve like John Isner is playing someone who struggles with returns a quick match could be on the cards and the under bet would be a good option.
4. Surface and Conditions
The surface of the court can also have an impact on the length of the match.
Faster surfaces like grass courts (Wimbledon) produce shorter points and fewer games than slower surfaces like clay courts (Roland Garros).
So for a tournament played on grass betting on “under 22.5” might be more favourable especially if the players are big servers.
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Example Scenarios for “Under 22.5” Bets
Let’s go through some examples:
- Straight sets win with few games: One player wins in two quick sets like 6-3, 6-4 (19 games in total). This is the perfect outcome for an “under 22.5” bet.
- One sided first set, competitive second set: If one player wins the first set easily 6-1 and the second set is close but still under the threshold (6-4) you can still win with “under 22.5”.
- Tiebreak in one set, quick win in the other: If the first set goes to a tiebreak (7-6) but the second set is one sided (6-1) the total number of games would be 20 again under 22.5.
Drawbacks of “Under 22.5”
Betting on “under 22.5” can be a good move but it’s not without risks. Tennis matches are unpredictable and a few things can go wrong:
- Tiebreaks: If the match goes to multiple tiebreaks the total number of games will be well over 22.5.
- Injury or fatigue: A player may start strong but fade in the second set and extend the match beyond your target.
- Unpredictable form: Even the best players can have an off day or be pushed harder than expected by a lower ranked opponent.
Summary
Betting on “under 22.5” in tennis is all about a match with fewer games usually because of a one sided contest or dominant performance.
It can be a good market if you take the time to research the players, their recent form, the surface and conditions. But as with any form of sports betting nothing is guaranteed so always be aware of the risks.
Now you know what “under 22.5” means in tennis you can go into these bets with more confidence.
Whether it’s a grand slam final or a lesser known tournament understanding over/under betting can give you an edge in making better bets.
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