It feels bizarre to say it, but Rafael Nadal will not be competing at this year’s French Open. With the 14-time winner out of the tournament before it starts, the 2023 Roland Garros is undeniably the most open it has been in decades. What this means for fans is fantastic tennis action and some great opportunities for betting as well.
Novak Djokovic will be seeking his 23rd Grand Slam, but can he overcome a poor clay season preparation so far? Holger Rune, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner will be hoping not as they are all heading into the French Open in fine form and with a real chance of claiming their first title in France. Add another handful of players who are showing threatening signs on the clay and this will be a Grand Slam to remember.
We break down all of the best bets to place on the French Open 2023 ahead of its beginning this weekend, with the latest odds from bookmaker William Hill.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: May 23rd, 11:30 A.M. (GMT)
Despite how open this year’s field is at the French Open 2023, bookmaker William Hill has two clear favourites in the men’s draw. Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic are both neck and neck, with Alcaraz holding a slim 2.25 to 2.75 lead in the odds currently. Behind them, Holger Rune and Stefanos Tsitsipas are reasonable favourites on 8.00 and 9.00 before the odds drop even further for the likes of Jannik Sinner, Daniil Medvedev and Casper Ruud, who sit between 13.00 and 15.00.
Betting on the French Open can go one of two ways. Bet on either Djokovic or Alcaraz or bet on one of the higher return, longer odds players. For the former option, we suggest going with Novak Djokovic.
While Djokovic has not had his best season, the Serbian is still 20-4 with two titles. Sure, he would have liked more time on the clay courts the past six weeks but when the rubber hits the road, Djokovic is a champion through and through. He’ll see an opportunity to break clear of Nadal and move to 23 Grand Slams and will likely grab this with both hands at Roland Garros.
For our other option backing a longer odds player, we recommend betting on Andrey Rublev or Jannik Sinner.
Sinner has made deep runs in three Masters 1000 tournaments recently, making the final of Miami and the semi-finals of Indian Wells and Monte Carlo. The Italian has the game to beat Alcaraz, as he did recently, and most would agree that he’s on the brink of breaking through and winning his first big title. With plenty of rest after an early Rome exit, Sinner’s moment could be now.
Rublev, on the other hand, has just made his big breakthrough. Winning his first Masters 1000 title on the Monte Carlo clay could prove to be monumental for the Russian. With Rublev 0-8 in Grand Slam quarterfinals, he’s paying a hefty 26.00 to win Roland Garros. However, the combination of low expectations and high confidence could prove to be a winning recipe in Paris.
