It’s fair to say it’s been a funny old year for tennis. While Wimbledon was cancelled completely, the French Open didn’t take place until October, and the US Open saw a list of dropouts almost a mile long due to the pandemic.
2021 will likely go ahead as planned, even if the majority of tournaments do have to be played behind closed doors. Wimbledon will go ahead without a crowd should it be required to, while first up is the Australian Open in January.
But who are the favorites for the event as we begin to look forward to a slightly less interrupted 2021 of sport?
The Australian Open
The Australian Open went ahead as planned last year, with no disruptions and a packed house at Melbourne Park. It was one of the final major sporting events to go ahead without any hitches, and saw Novak Djokovic claim his eighth men’s singles title.
He’s favorite once again at 11/10, with Rafael Nadal at 6/1. The two are a year older though and many will be taking risks on those further behind in the pack, particularly with Djokovic making a few more mistakes of late. If you’re new to betting, as a beginner you should try the risk free bets offered by the bookmakers, as they are always useful for backing an outsider, and in this case we’d perhaps look to Stefanos Tsitsipas at 12/1.
Roger Federer is a 6/1 shot, while Dominic Thiem and Daniil Medvedev are also the same, with Australian Nick Kyrgios 22/1.
In the women’s singles, Serena Williams is the current favorite at 13/2, with Ashleigh Barty and Naomi Osaka, who had an excellent 2020, not far behind at 7/1
French Open
It was Iga Swiatek who won the women’s singles in the French Open just weeks ago though and she’s favorite to take the crown again next year priced at 11/2. The Polish star claimed her first Grand Slam win at the age of just 19 and is a star in the making.
Of course, competition will be rife, with Simona Halep also well favored at 11/2, with Naomi Osaka priced at 10/1.
For the men, it’s no surprise to see Rafa the man to watch once again. He’s a 6/5 shot with Novak Djokovic, who Nadal beat in the final priced at 23/10. The Serbian has won the tournament just once as Nadal continues to dominate, and will be looking for his 14th title on the clay next time out.
Wimbledon
After a year off we return to Wimbledon and everyone will be itching to get their hands on the famous trophy following it being in the hands of Novak Djokovic for three years now.
The bookies do have the Serbian favorite of course though, with him priced with most bookmakers at 6/4.He’s proven a force to be reckoned with on the grass, and it’ll be up to Rafa Nadal (5/1) and Stefanos Tsitsipas (15/2) to try and grab that trophy away from him.
Roger Federer, who has had regular success at the tournament is priced at 15/2.
In the women’s singles, Ashleigh Barty is currently leading the way, with Serena Williams just behind her. Simona Halep won last time out, and she’s also priced at 7/1 alongside Bianca Andrescu.
US Open
Naomi Osaka is the woman to watch on the hard courts of New York though and is priced at 6/1 to retain her US Open crown next year. She romped to victory this year and was impressive throughout. Bianca Andrescu and Serena Williams are not far behind her in the markets currently, while in the men’s singles it’s all about Djokovic again.
The final Grand Slam of the year was won by Dominic Thiem this year and he’s at 9/2 behind Djokovic, while Nadal and Medvedev have also been given relatively good chances.
