2024 Tennis Predictions Review: Insights, Yields, and Lessons Learned
Published: November 19, 2024
At the end of the 2024 season, we analyzed our data to provide a comprehensive overview of the past tennis season. It's important to note from the outset that the dataset for 2024 is not complete, and no comparison to previous seasons is currently available. Such comparisons will only be possible after the end of the 2025 season. Nevertheless, we hope you find some interesting insights in this season's statistics.
What Was the Overall Yield of Our Predictions?
Maintaining a positive yield over a long period, such as nine months, is a challenging task. Therefore, it’s no surprise that our overall yield across all prediction types is negative. We used a
fixed stake of $1 for each match, regardless of confidence levels.
First, let's look at how our overall predictions performed in 2024.
The odds-based predictions, which rely on the probabilities implied by betting odds, recorded the smallest negative yield at
-1.69%. To be honest, a yield of
-1.69% isn’t terrible, especially given the extended period over which it was calculated.
For WTA matches, however, the yield was
-4.44%, highlighting a significant difference in predictability between ATP and WTA matches.
The
form-based predictions had a yield of
-8.51% for ATP matches. Surprisingly, WTA matches performed slightly better, with a yield of
-5.49%. Just as a reminder, we calculate form by assigning points for strong performances without subtracting points for underperformance.
In summary,
ATP matches appear to be more predictable than WTA matches. This is largely because there were fewer upsets during the season. ATP favourites, regardless of their rankings, tend to hold their advantage better than WTA favourites.
Overall Yield Of Predict.Tennis predictions
What Was the Yield on Different Surfaces?
Clay emerged as the most predictable surface of the 2024 season. For ATP matches, odds-based predictions achieved a positive yield of
1.32%, while WTA odds-based predictions recorded a negative yield of
-2.29%. Form-based predictions for both ATP and WTA matches on clay were in negative territory, with yields of
-5.39% for ATP and
-6.84% for WTA.
Grass courts ranked second in predictability.
Odds-based ATP predictions had a yield of
-0.75%, while WTA predictions showed a slightly worse performance at
-2.75%.
Form-based predictions for grass matches were also negative for both ATP and WTA.
When it comes to
hard surfaces, results varied significantly between ATP and WTA.
Hard indoor surfaces could be considered the second most predictable surface for ATP matches, though the sample size of matches was relatively small. As a result, we ranked grass surfaces higher overall. Even so, odds-based ATP predictions for
hard indoor matches showed the best yield besides clay, at
-0.63%, outperforming grass. Conversely, WTA matches on hard indoor surfaces had a very poor yield of
-18.27%, though the number of matches was very limited.
On hard outdoor surfaces, the yields were disappointing. ATP odds-based predictions recorded a yield of
-5.39%, while WTA odds-based predictions followed closely at
-5.99%. However, there was a small surprise: WTA
form-based predictions outperformed odds-based ones, with a yield of
-4.65%, slightly better than the
-5.99% yield for odds.
Yield on Different Surfaces For WTA Matches
Understanding the Limits of Prediction Systems
We also simulated a system where the stake increased with higher confidence levels and decreased with lower confidence levels. However, this approach
did not significantly improve the overall yield. Additionally, we experimented with random stakes in simulations, which yielded
mixed results, showing slight improvements in some cases.
In conclusion, there is no foolproof system that guarantees long-term success. On our
Prediction Check page, you can see the rate of success for our predictions, but it's important to note that this rate doesn’t always align with the actual yield. Upsets in tennis are inherently unpredictable, and it’s crucial to keep this in mind when analyzing matches.
We believe that studying player statistics is a valuable way to evaluate form and make informed decisions about match outcomes. However, remember that our predictions serve as guidelines or opinions, not certainties.
In the upcoming days, we’ll focus on analyzing the most profitable and predictable tournaments, as well as players' form.
Stay tuned for more insights!