How to Play Daily Fantasy Tennis
Daily fantasy tennis is easy to play; however, there are rules you must follow. In many ways, DFS tennis is different from other sports like NFL, soccer, and CFB, but there is one thing they all have in common. You must create your lineups using a salary cap/budget.
Each eligible player is assigned a salary, and you create your lineup by selecting players listed in the player pool. Once you've decided on your lineup and are within your salary cap, you submit your lineup to the contest. Another vital part of playing fantasy tennis is picking the contests your lineup will participate in.
The Draft
To start playing at daily fantasy tennis sites, you first must draft your team. Rules sometimes differ depending on the league, but generally, you should choose 5 male and 5 female players from the top 100 selection of the site.
The players you choose then start collecting points throughout the year based on the tournaments that take place. Therefore, making your picks based on player performance is very important. To estimate the level of performance, you can use data and sports information.
There are factors you can consider when deciding on your lineup. Surface preferences and performance may give you an edge, while some tennis players excel on different surfaces. Evaluating a player's recent form and current ranking is also crucial when playing at fantasy tennis sites.
All fantasy tennis sites use scoring systems. There are often different scoring systems for three-set versus five-set matches. However, they are commonly based on the same in-game stats. For example, points could be subtracted for double faults, games lost, and sets lost.
Meanwhile, points could be added for aces, break points converted, winning games, sets, and matches. There might also be a bonus for winning matches in straight sets and winning a set six games to zero. Most fantasy points come from components conducive to winning a match. If a player wins, they are likely to score well compared to losing, when they are likely to score poorly.
- Ace – +1 point (best of 3); +0.6 (best of 5)
- Break Points Won – +1.5 points (best of 3); +1 (best of 5)
- Double Faults – -2 points (best of 3 and best of 5)
- Games Lost – -4.8 points (best of 3); -3.2 (best of 5)
- Games Won – +6 points (best of 3); +4 (best of 5)
- Match Played – +60 points (best of 3 and best of 5)
- Match Won – +12 points (best of 3); +10 (best of 5)
- Retirement Bonus (Set 1) – +40 points (best of 3 and best of 5)
- Retirement Bonus (Set 2) – +30 points (best of 3); +32 (best of 5)
- Retirement Bonus (Set 3) – +20 points (best of 3); +24 (best of 5)
- Retirement Bonus (Set 4) – +16 points (best of 5)
- Retirement Bonus (Set 5) – +16 points (best of 5)
- Set Lost – -6 points (best of 3): -5 (b 5)
- Set Won – +12 points (best of 3); +10 (best of 5)
- Won Match in Straight Sets – +12 points (best of 3); +10 (best of 5)
- Won Set to Love – +10 points (best of 3); +7 (best of 5)
- Advanced by Walkover – +30 points (best of 3 and best of 5)
There may be some terms in this breakdown of scores that you're unfamiliar with. Retirement, for example, is when a player withdraws from a match after it has started. Should a retirement occur, both players’ scores are settled on their current statistics.
A walkover occurs when a player advances to the tournament's next round because their opponent has withdrawn before the match starts. The advancing player receives the points for the game, while the retiring player receives nothing.
Before the Tournament
Before the start of any tournament, there are some things you need to do if you want your daily fantasy tennis experience to be a positive one. As well as making sure your starting lineup is solid, you also want to choose one player from a game. Also, remember that the first few rounds tend to be somewhat predictable, so it often pays to select high-ranking players for these games.
High-ranking players are more expensive, which means you won't be able to load your team with stars. However, aim to balance your lineup with definite winners and overlooked talent. Avoid players who double-fault often, as these reduce your scoring potential significantly.
One of the advantages of playing fantasy tennis compared with other sports is that games occur all year round. It's a global game, and you'll often find contests available every season when you use fantasy tennis apps.
Knowing the dates for major events such as Grand Slam Tournaments can be helpful. It allows you to research previous matches and last year's results before choosing your picks at daily fantasy tennis sites.
There are a few helpful resources when you use fantasy tennis apps. Many expert players offer fantasy tennis tips and suggestions through podcasts, vlogs, and forums. It would help to familiarize yourself with official tournament websites, as this is where you can access up-to-date data.
The Waiver Wire
If you spot a player in the waiver wire you'd like to add to your lineup, you submit a waiver claim. All claims are processed after a specified period, and the team with the highest waiver priority that submitted a claim gets that player.
The waiver wire is a system in fantasy sports, including tennis, allowing you to claim unclaimed players. Use available players on the waiver wire to fill holes and strengthen your lineup.
It also ensures fair play and equal opportunity because it gives all teams the opportunity to acquire the best talent available. Additionally, it stops one team from dominating a league because they've monopolized all the best players.
Player Trades
Player trades in fantasy sports are a great way to improve your roster because they provide an opportunity to trade out players who aren't performing too well. Generally, there is a trade deadline, a date beyond which you cannot make trades. Furthermore, trades are only possible in leagues, not contests.
Understanding the value of players is crucial, and you can check a player's performance for the season and know where they excel by looking at the matchups. The key to success when trading is recognizing when the timing is right. Keep a close eye on the waiver wire, injury reports, and the upcoming schedule.