The last time one of the Big Four – Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic – of men’s tennis did not raise hardware at Centre Court at Wimbledon was in 2002. It appears 2015 will turn out to be the unlucky 13th straight year for those hopefuls looking to break that streak of dominance.
The impregnable quartet was indeed penetrated at this year’s French Open when power-hitting Stan Wawrinka deflated Djokovic’s dreams of a Grand Slam by capturing his second major championship and first title at Roland Garros. The oddsmakers do not see the Swiss netman performing a repeat insurrection at Wimbledon. The London grass has not proved kind to Wawrinka. His winning percentage of 56.52% is the lowest of any major and he has been bounced in the first round five times in his ten tournament appearances. An advance to the quarterfinals last year has been his best showing at Wimbledon. His superior play at the French Open, however, has kindled some belief among oddsmakers – Coral lists Wawrinka at a relatively short 14/1.
The thing about the Big Four is that they have seldom been at the top of their games at the same time. Such is the case this year. Djokovic was rolling along merrily on a 29-match winning streak, including a demolition of Nadal at Roland Garros, before being upended by Wawrinka in the French finals. Since that setback Djokovic has put away his racket and taken a break from competitive tennis as he prepares to defend his Wimbledon championship. He is still considered by far the dominant player in the world at the moment. Sportsbook Paddy Power has installed the sublime Serb as the overwhelming 11/8 favorite on the eve of the championship.
【Paddy Power: 2015 Wimbledon Men’s Singles Tournament Winner Odds】
※ Current Odds Date & Time: June 24, 7:00 a.m. (GMT)
While Djokovic was relaxing, the other members of the Big four were each busying themselves by winning a grass tournament in preparation for Wimbledon. The seemingly ageless Roger Federer mopped up the field in Germany by capturing the Gerry Weber Open for the eighth time. Although 33 years old, Federer has won four tournaments this year and maintains a strong hold on the world number two ranking. Federer has been to nine Wimbledon finals and will be searching for a record eight title this year. He provides good value for bettors at 13/2.
The second favorite in the pre-Wimbledon odds is Scotsman Andy Murray. Murray has made it at least to the quarterfinals of his last 18 majors but his record in the finals is only 2-6, losing three times each against Federer and Djokovic. He polished off his Wimbledon preparation with a convincing win at the Aegon Championships on the Queen’s Club grass by blasting Kevin Anderson 6-3, 6-4 in the finals in only 64 minutes. Murray is on top of his game but oddsmakers are divided on his Wimbledon chances and prices as long as 13/4 can be found.
Rafael Nadal also won a grass court preliminary event following his dismissal at the French Open, besting an undistinguished field in Stuttgart. But the Catalan southpaw’s troubled 2015 campaign continued when he was bounced in the first round at the Queen’s Club by unseeded Ukrainian Alexandr Dolgopolov. Appropriately, Nadal’s Wimbledon odds have plummeted to 14/1.
On the ladies side of the draw, Serena Williams is almost as big a favorite as Novak Djokovic; she is listed at 13/8. And hardly without merit. The American has won three consecutive Grand Slam titles and she is seeking to make history as the first player since Steffi Graf to place all four major championship trophies on her mantel in the same year. Williams has made 24 Grand Slam finals and sealed the deal in all but four.
Particularly remarkable has been Williams’ capability to fall behind in a match and come roaring back, seemingly at will. She has won 33 Grand Slam matches after trailing by a set – no one can match that record. That knack for gutting out victories makes it awfully difficult to bet against her.
But Williams has proved not to be invincible at Wimbledon. In three of the last four years she has experienced early exits. If Williams has a lapse this year there will be several big hitters waiting to step into the void. Most notable is two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova (10/3) and Sabine Lisicki (16/1), both with big serves that can overwhelm an opponent. Victoria Azarenka (11/1) is still considered a strong contender despite an inglorious 3-16 record against Serena Williams in Grand Slam matches. If Williams falters in an early round at Wimbledon Azarenka can be expected to make a serious run at the championship.
【Coral: 2015 Wimbledon Women’s Singles Tournament Winner Odds】
※ Current Odds Date & Time: June 24, 3:00 a.m. (GMT)
And while betting on long shots in the men’s draw may be the height of futility, an occasional surprise can sneak into the winner’s circle on the distaff side. Only two years ago Marion Bartoli, seeded 15th, won her first major title in her 47th attempt. No one had ever tried that many times before winning a Grand Slam.
If you are looking for long shot potential in the women’s draw, look for big serves. Madison Keys, a 20-year old American has been attracting attention since she won a match on the World Tennis Association tour when she was just 14 years old. Keys rode her power game to a semi-final appearance in this year’s Australian Open where she lost to Williams. She has won on grass and has reached the Top 20 in the world. For anyone looking to back Madison Keys, she can be found at 40/1.
If anything is for certain, it’s going to be a wild fortnight with the big guns battling it out for tennis supremacy on the lawn in London!
