While tennis fans watch in awe as the top ATP and WTA athletes battle it out at the Stade Roland-Garros, the punter in you can make the most of French Open betting. This competition, which is also known as Roland-Garros, is the second tournament in the Grand Slam calendar, and the only one to be played on the quintessential red clay courts of Paris.
- The Best Betting Sites for the French Open
- 2022 French Open Tennis Betting Odds, Promotions, Tips & Predictions
- French Open Tennis Betting Promotions 2022
- Understanding French Open Betting
- French Open Betting Strategies
- 5 Reasons to Bet on the French Open
- Betting Sites With French Open Live Streaming
- Popular French Open Betting Markets
- Tournament Structure for the French Open
- History of the French Open
- Recent French Open Winners
- 5 Most Successful Men at Roland-Garros
- 5 Most Successful Women at Roland-Garros
- French Open Tennis Key Stats
- Similar Tournaments to the French Open
- Upcoming Sporting Events
- ThePuntersPage Final Say
The Best Betting Sites for the French Open
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2022 French Open Tennis Betting Odds, Promotions, Tips & Predictions
The 2022 French Open will begin in Paris on Monday the 22nd of May, running until Sunday the 5th of June.
French Open Tennis Betting Odds 2022
We have published the best French Open odds for the 2022 tournament below, compiled from leading bookmakers. These will naturally change as the tournament gets closer, but we will learn more about who will play and what form each player is in closer to the beginning of the event.
French Open Tennis Betting Tips & Predictions 2022
We have added our expert French Open betting tips and predictions below!
ATP Roland-Garros Predictions
- Spain’s Rafael Nadal, the most successful man ever to play at Roland-Garros, is already the short-priced favourite, especially after securing an unprecedented 21st Grand Slam singles title in Australia earlier this year AND beating Novak Djokovic in the quarter finals!
- Another one of the favourites is 24-year-old German Alexander Zverev, for whom a grand-slam title win is surely within reach.
- Zverev has recently won the ATP Finals in Turin, Italy, after knocking out Djokovic in the semi-final and Daniil Medvedev in the Final. Last year at Roland-Garros he lost to Djokovic in the semi-finals. This year he's gotten past young Carlos Alcaraz and now faces Rafael Nadal in the semi-finals.
- Anyone who manages to beat Daniil Medvedev should be considered as a potential finalist, and that's Marin Cilic did in the last 16. Not only did he win, but he managed to not concede a set to Medvedev and took the game away after 3 sets. With odds of 22/1 this could potentially be a value bet.
- A special mention here goes to Holger Vitus Nodskov Rune – the 19-year-old has already managed to beat Denis Shapovalov and the World #4 Stefanos Tsitsipas during this tournament.
WTA Roland-Garros Predictions
- As for the women’s event, with Barbora Krejcikova losing out in the first round, Iga Swiatek is the favourite to win in many books. Like Nadal, Swiatek could soon be the dominant force on clay after following up her Roland-Garros win in 2020 with a strong showing on the surface last season. That included winning the Italian Open, where she managed to only drop one set all tournament long. She also won the WTA1000 tournament in Qatar during February 2022.
- Although not a favourite, Martina Trevisan has come a long way already and put on a great performance to get past Leylah Fernandez's terrific defence and book a place in the semi-finals. She cannot be overlooked.
- 25-year-old Veronika Kudermetova
- has made it through to her first Grand Slam quarter final and is considered the least favourite to win from the remaining players. That being said, despite a lack of experience of big-stage finals, the adrenaline rush of being there for the first time could give the Russian that extra push.
French Open Tennis Betting Promotions 2022
- Over at Paddy Power, new customers can enjoy £20 risk-free, perfect for Roland-Garros betting.
- Alternatively,
- Betfred are offering a great welcome offer that, for the price of a single initial £10 wager, pays £30 in free bets which you can use on French Open tennis betting. This also comes with £10 in free spins on top!
- bet365 are currently giving £50 in free bets to new customers who bet £10.
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Understanding French Open Betting
French Open betting outright odds (a.k.a. odds on who will the tournament) will be made available as the ongoing event draws to a close. You can expect to see the finalists and past champions feature right at the forefront.
These prices are likely to fluctuate because of the results in the Grand Slams that follow the French Open. However, expect to see a flurry of activity around the European clay-court season that begins (approximately) 42 days before Roland-Garros. Besides the other tournaments, we have the men’s Monte-Carlo Masters played in France and the women’s Stuttgart Open in Germany.
This is followed by the two primary warm-up tournaments for the French Open – the Madrid Open and the Italian Open, played out over two weeks.
French Open Betting: Factors You Must Consider
French Open betting needs a different approach. Why?
- It's all about the surface. Clay is the slowest of all, making Roland-Garros the most taxing tournament in tennis. The nature of clay takes speed out of the equation while offering a higher bounce. That’s why winners are difficult to come by, with long, baseline rallies being the hallmark.
- When approaching French Open betting, remember that baseline sluggers have a leg up over more attacking players depending on a serve-and-volley game. Rafael Nadal (with 12 French Open titles and counting) is the ideal example of a baseline player who has found much success on this surface.
- Make no mistake, a blistering serve helps. But clay tempers the potency of a strong serve, making it relatively less effective compared to serving on the grass at Wimbledon or the hard courts at the Australian Open and the US Open.
- Now, this means that holding serve on clay is far more challenging than other surfaces. Due to the ball sitting up nicely every time, a good returner will put the pressure back on the server.
- Remember this French Open betting tip – jarring baseline rallies are the norm at Roland-Garros. Therefore, athleticism and mobility will hold the key. A top-class clay-court athlete's hallmark is their tenacity to scramble across the baseline persistently and defend well to keep the ball deep. This helps the player to force the error on the opposition.
- Clay courts are particularly conducive to topspin. So, a loopy deep ball, drop shots, and short-angled slices are especially effective.
All in all, clay is a back-breaking surface that favours athletes at peak condition over players who rely on a monstrous serve, quick-fire volleys, and overall technical ability.
French Open Betting Strategies
While there’s no element of surety to French Open tennis betting, there are a few tips that can put you at a better spot and increase your chances of winning:
Understand Style of Play
You need to understand serving and returning to form a successful French Open betting strategy. Due to the slower nature of the surface, big servers do not have it easy at Roland-Garros, unlike Wimbledon. That is also why even the best Wimbledon betting tips will not apply to French Open betting.Now, don’t get it wrong: a monster serve undoubtedly is a useful tool in a player’s weaponry. But they need to be an excellent returner to put the pressure back on the opponent.
Tiebreaks are Rare
We'll take Djokovic and Nadal as examples to make this point clearer. Until the completion of the 2020 Australian Open, Djokovic had only 27 tiebreaks to his name at Roland-Garros when compared to 41 at US Open, 37 at the Australian Open, and 54 at Wimbledon. Likewise, Nadal has claimed 22 tiebreaks at Roland-Garros compared to 36 at the US Open, 40 at the Australian Open, and 39 at Wimbledon.The lesson to take home is that tiebreaks are relatively rare at the French Open, simply because breaking a service game is more likely. Tread carefully if you wish to bet on a set going to a tiebreak.
Steer Clear of Players with Injury Concerns
Stamina and athleticism will hold the key for any player hoping to go the distance at Roland-Garros. No matter how good the player is, chances are they would not be able to steamroller opponents in straight sets. Again, it all comes down to clay's unique characteristics and how a match is likely to be played out here.Staying at peak physical shape is vital if one is to nurture hopes of winning the French Open. Any player heading into the tournament with even the smallest of injuries will find it increasingly difficult as the rounds progress. You should factor in this when looking at outright French Open betting odds.
Consider In-play Betting
If a player has been returning well, you can bet on them to continue playing in similar fashion through subsequent games and sets. Likewise, if you have a good feeling about a particular player going the distance, you can bet on them in the outright market. Today, most leading bookies offer outright French Open betting odds even when a tournament is underway.
Choose Your Player Wisely
Clay doesn’t care for champions. While some take to this surface naturally (think Rafael Nadal or Dominic Thiem), some struggle to find their footing, despite being excellent, Grand-Slam athletes otherwise.Think about it – for the GOAT that he is, Roger Federer hasn’t ever got a proper grip on the ball on this surface; he won the French Open just once in 2009, arguably due to Rafa’s shock exit at the hands of Robin Soderling.
Conversely, there have been players who could only taste sweet success at Roland-Garros, but with no other Grand Slam to their names: Sergi Bruguera, Yannick Noah, Gustavo Kuerten, Carlos Moya, Albert Costa, Juan Carlos Ferrero, Gastón Gaudio – it’s a long and illustrious list.And, finally, the most crucial bit…
Never Forget the Irresistible Force
Rafael Nadal is called the King of Clay, and for good reason. He has won a mind-numbing 12 times here, a feat that will take some beating. No other tournament has ever been witness to such sheer dominance of this proportion. So, until Rafa hangs up his boots, he will always remain (arguably) the most potent force.The women’s draw isn’t as straightforward. Ashleigh Barty won her maiden French Open title in 2020, defeating rising star Markéta Vondroušová in a gripping final. Now that Maria Sharapova has called it curtains on her career, as many as six players (expected to be) in the women’s draw have won the Roland-Garros previously – Barty, Garbine Muguruza, Serena Williams, Jelena Ostapenko, Svetlana Kuznetsova, and Simona Halep.
5 Reasons to Bet on the French Open
- This is the second tennis major of the season.
- The French Open provides a handy form guide for Wimbledon, just a few weeks away.
- We are witnessing history in the event for men where Rafael Nadal is breaking Roland-Garros records.
- This is one of the biggest events for tennis betting.
- The best players for the world will all be in attendance.
Betting Sites With French Open Live Streaming
- Unibet
- 888sport
- bet365
- Betfair
- William Hill
Popular French Open Betting Markets
It’s not only the players who win at Roland-Garros, but plenty of punters too! Make the most of a range of exciting French Open betting markets, as well as impressive odds, and place a bet – who knows, you may rack up some impressive winnings!
Take note that clay is markedly distinct from other surfaces, so you should consider all its idiosyncrasies carefully. Listed below are the most sought-after French Open betting markets:
Match Result
Also called Match Betting or Moneyline, this is undoubtedly a classic. However, it can be challenging to predict who’d beat whom in a head-to-head at Roland-Garros. Keep an eye out for players who have fared well in clay-court tournaments in the past. If you have a personal favourite, assess how they performed at the French Open the previous year.
Another good indicator is your selection’s H2H against the same opponent.
Best French Open betting site for Match Result: Betfair
Set Heading for a Tiebreak
Some athletes have a thing for tiebreaks (Roger Federer is regarded as a tiebreak titan). When they play, you half expect the set to go to a tiebreak.
For instance, American John Isner is known for his extended matches. Who can ever forget his first-round match against Nicolas Mahut at the 2010 Wimbledon! For those uncertain what a tiebreak is, they are enforced when a set cannot be split naturally, and the players cannot be separated from a 6-6 score.
A tiebreak is played in all sets of the match except the final one, where players continue until one secures a two-game lead. Serving in the tiebreak works alternatingly as players aim to be the first to reach seven. If the players are still tied at 6-6, they continue playing until one player has a two-point lead over the other and is deemed the winner.
Best French Open betting site for tiebreak betting: BoyleSports
To Win in Straight Sets
This could be a vital addition to your French Open betting arsenal, especially if there’s a player who is in red-hot form going into the tournament. So, this market can be highly valuable with somebody like Nadal or Thiem, particularly during the early stages of Roland-Garros.
However, the French Open men’s betting odds are likely to be longer than those on women, considering women only play best-of-three sets while men play best-of-five.
Best French Open betting site for straight set win betting: Novibet
Outright Winner
Betting on this market means you are taking a punt on a player to win the tournament. That way, outright betting represents a long-term opportunity. Before you dive headlong into this market, ensure you are updated with the latest French Open betting odds.
The idea is simple – you win the wager if the player you back wins the trophy. Notably, the odds are generally long, allowing you to put your money on two or more players and still enjoy handsome winnings.
Best French Open betting site for Outright Winner: bet365
Tournament Structure for the French Open
The French Open at Roland-Garros in Paris is the only tennis major played on a clay surface. This surface plays a crucial role in determining the winner of the tournament, as do the other surfaces, grass and hard (acrylic), for different tournaments.
This is why the arguably finest two players in the history of the men’s game – Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal – have vastly different records at events such as Paris (clay court) and Wimbledon (grass court).
The tournament itself, both for the men, who play best-of-five set matches, and women, who play best-of-three, is a seeded knockout format. Players progress after each win, while match losers are eliminated until there are only two players left. These two will compete in a final to be played on the last weekend of the tournament.
The women’s final is played first on the Saturday and the men’s is played one day later on the Sunday. In both cases, the winner of the final is the winner of that year’s tournament and the new French Open champion.
History of the French Open
The legend of Roland-Garros began about 130 summers ago. The tournament stands out in the international sporting calendar and has rightfully earned a badge of heritage in its native country, France.
After the tournament began in 1891, Frenchman Max Decugis emerged an unlikely hero, winning the French Clay-court Championships – as it was then called – eight times between 1903 and 1914. In that era, participation was limited to members of French clubs. Decugis’s feat was a record that was overhauled in 2014 by Rafael Nadal.
The year 1925 witnessed a significant change when participation was opened to international players. Subsequently, the French Open – as we know it today – was born. However, French nationals continued to dominate proceedings, ushering in a golden era of sorts. Suzanne Lenglen clinched the French Championships six times between 1925 and 1926 (2 singles, 2 doubles, 2 mixed doubles) in the women’s draw. In doing so, she became the most decorated tennis player in that era.
On the men’s side, René Lacoste, Henri Cochet, Jacques Brugnon, and Jean Borotra – the four Musketeers – shared 10 singles titles between them from 1922 to 1932. The arena was later renamed Roland-Garros, a namesake of the pioneering aviator killed in action during World War I.
When the Open Era began in 1968, Roland-Garros assumed added significance. Björn Borg (six French Open titles) and Chris Evert (seven, a women’s singles record) dominated the court. While the French did put up some opposition (with Françoise Dürr winning the title in 1967, Yannick Noah in 1983 and Mary Pierce in 2000), it wasn’t enough to stop the Spanish juggernaut that took Paris by the storm from 1990 onwards.
Arantxa Sanchez (1989, 1994, 1998), Sergi Bruguera (1993, 1994), Carlos Moya (1998), Albert Costa (2002), and Juan Carlos Ferrero (2003) were all forerunners of Rafael Nadal, the Matador from Manacor. With 13 French Open titles to his name, won between 2005 and 2020, Nadal has rewritten the playbook, showing what can be achieved through sheer athleticism and dogged determination at Roland-Garros.
At the same time, the most elusive Grand Slam (one can argue) has hoodwinked, time and again, some of the biggest names, including Jimmy Connors, Stefan Edberg, John McEnroe, Martina Hingis, Boris Becker, and Venus Williams.
After bowing out from the finals thrice – twice to Nadal in 2012 and 2014, and once to Stanislas Wawrinka in 2015, Novak Djokovic left this (distinguished yet damned) club in 2016. But, since then, it had only been the Rafa show lighting up the Parisian skies, until Djokovic managed to get one back and won his second French Open title in 2021 after beating Nadal in the semis and Tsitsipas in the final.
| Year | Men’s Winner | Men’s Runner-Up | Final Scoreline |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Novak Djokovic | Stefanos Tsitsipas | 6-7, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 |
| 2020 | Rafael Nadal | Novak Djokovic | 6–0, 6–2, 7–5 |
| 2019 | Rafael Nadal | Dominic Thiem | 6-3, 5-7, 6-1, 6-1 |
| 2018 | Rafael Nadal | Dominic Thiem | 6-4, 6-3, 6-2 |
| 2017 | Rafael Nadal | Andy Murray | 6-2, 6-3, 6-1 |
| 2016 | Novak Djokovic | Stanislas Wawrinka | 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 |
| 2015 | Stanislas Wawrinka | Novak Djokovic | 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 |
| 2014 | Rafael Nadal | Novak Djokovic | 3–6, 7–5, 6–2, 6–4 |
| Year | Women’s Winner | Women’s Runner-Up | Final Scoreline |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Barbora Krejčíková | Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova | 6-1, 2-6, 6-4 |
| 2020 | Iga Świątek | Sofia Kenin | 6–4, 6–1 |
| 2019 | Ashleigh Barty | Markéta Vondroušová | 6-1, 6-3 |
| 2018 | Simona Halep | Sloane Stephens | 3–6, 6–4, 6–1 |
| 2017 | Jelena Ostapenko | Simona Halep | 4–6, 6–4, 6–3 |
| 2016 | Garbine Muguruza | Serena Williams | 7–5, 6–4 |
| 2015 | Serena Williams | Lucie Šafářová | 6-3, 6-7, 6-2 |
| 2014 | Maria Sharapova | Simona Halep | 6-4, 6-7, 6-4 |
5 Most Successful Men at Roland-Garros
Over the years, many have tried to etch their names on the red dirt. However, none could ever come close to the Matador from Spain, Rafael Nadal.
Here are some of the best male players of the French Open:
| Player | Open Era Championships | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Rafael Nadal (ESP) | 13 | 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 |
| Björn Borg (SWE) | 6 | 1974, 1975, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981 |
| Mats Wilander (SWE) | 3 | 1982, 1985, 1988 |
| Ivan Lendl (TCH) | 3 | 1984, 1986, 1987 |
| Gustavo Kuerten | 3 | 1997, 2000, 2001 |
(Only Open Era championships have been included)
5 Most Successful Women at Roland-Garros
The first women’s game was held in 1897. Years later, through the mid-70s and early-80s, American player Chris Evert would enjoy a blistering run of form.
Here’s a look at some of the best French Open female players:
| Player | Open Era Championships | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Chris Evert (USA) | 7 | 1974, 1975, 1979, 1980, 1983, 1985, 1986 |
| Steffi Graf (GER) | 6 | 1987, 1988, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1999 |
| Margaret Court (AUS) | 3 (+2 in the Amateur Era) | 1969, 1970, 1973 |
| Justine Henin (BEL) | 4 | 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007 |
| “Arantxa” Sánchez Vicario | 3 | 1989, 1994, 1998 |
French Open Tennis Key Stats
- With 13 championship wins, Spain’s Rafael Nadal is the most successful men’s player of all time at the French Open.
- His female equivalent is Germany’s Steffi Graf, who has six titles to her name.
- USA’s Michael Chang is the youngest ever winner of the men’s competition, lifting the trophy when he was just 17 years and three months old.
- Younger still was Monica Seles, who won the women’s event when she was 16 and a half, making her the youngest ever women's champion.
- On four occasions, the men’s tournament has been won by an unseeded player – one more time than the women’s event, which has been won by a non-seed on three occasions.
- Rafael Nadal has faced Novak Djokovic at Roland-Garros an impressive 9 times. The Spaniard managed to win in 7 of those encounters.
Similar Tournaments to the French Open
- 27th June – 10th July, Wimbledon: The oldest and the most prestigious tournament in tennis, and one of the four classics, this event is held at the All England Lawn Tennis Club in Wimbledon, South London.
- 29th August – 11th September, The US Open: The highest-paying classic and the last to be held each year, this tournament takes place in Flushing Meadows, New York.
- January 2023, The Australian Open: The city of Melbourne serves as the setting to the first classic of the season.
Upcoming Sporting Events
- With 13 championship wins, Spain’s Rafael Nadal is the most successful men’s player of all time at the French Open.
- His female equivalent is Germany’s Steffi Graf, who has six titles to her name.
- USA’s Michael Chang is the youngest ever winner of the men’s competition, lifting the trophy when he was just 17 years and three months old.
- Younger still was Monica Seles, who won the women’s event when she was 16 and a half, making her the youngest ever women's champion.
- On four occasions, the men’s tournament has been won by an unseeded player – one more time than the women’s event, which has been won by a non-seed on three occasions.
- Rafael Nadal has faced Novak Djokovic at Roland-Garros an impressive 9 times. The Spaniard managed to win in 7 of those encounters.
French Open Betting FAQs
The best bookmakers for French Open betting are William Hill, Ladbrokes and Coral.
Terrestrial viewers can watch coverage of Roland-Garros for free on ITV4, but footage will also be available on Eurosport.
The French Open is set to start on May 22nd and finish on June 5th 2022.
Both the men’s and women’s singles draw consist of 128 players. This, however, excludes the qualifiers.
Of course you can. Knowledge of the sport is essential; however, to make informed bets, be sure to read our above guide carefully.
Usually, the payment option that you use for depositing the funds is the one that you use to withdraw your winnings as well. In fact, online bookmakers will credit the money to your account via the same method.
We suggest that you refer to our list at the beginning of this article. Should you choose one outside of the list, make sure it is reputed and certified by licensing authorities. Just in case, check out our selection of the best UK betting sites out there for further guidance.
ThePuntersPage Final Say
This French Open betting guide seeks to help you bet successfully and boost your winnings. We have compiled the top markets and offered proven tips and strategies that can help you make an informed decision, so we suggest you read our guide carefully.
However, success will ultimately depend on the work you put in and your ability to draw out value for your bets. Be smart with your money and try not to go overboard, for it can be difficult to get back what you lose.
More importantly, be sure to read our bookmaker reviews which cover in detail all the most important aspects of each of the best UK bookies.