The biggest names in tennis have already flocked to British shores to prepare for the most highly anticipated event in the tennis calendar. Widely to be considered the most prestigious of all the Grand Slam tournaments, this year’s Wimbledon 2019 is about to get underway.
Qualifying rounds have already begun for the lower ranked players hoping to test their mettle on Wimbledon’s famous grass courts, while many of the bigger names are slogging it out on the south coast at Eastbourne.
Nadal already stealing the show
Following his record-breaking 12th French Open title last month at Roland Garros, the king of clay Rafael Nadal is already making noise ahead of Wimbledon. The Spaniard is apparently unhappy with being placed as the third seed in the tournament rankings despite his most recent Grand Slam victory.
Nadal has been placed behind rivals Novak Djokovic in first place and Roger Federer in second position. The two-time Wimbledon winner Nadal, who has been seeded as third has brought into question the methods with which seeding is decided for Wimbledon. The All England Club who decide the seeding for the tournament take into account recent grass court results, something other tournaments do not seek to do for their respective playing surfaces.
Tournament odds
Top two seeds Djokovic and Federer will automatically be placed on either side of the draw, which would adequately set them up for a showpiece final should they see off all opposition. Perhaps Nadal’s misgivings about the way in which Wimbledon ranks its players has some justification. As the third seed the Spaniard will potentially have to overcome both Federer and Djokovic to lift the trophy.
The current odds going into the tournament reflect the seeding, with Djokovic placed favourite at 6/4 (2.50) with Federer trailing at 7/2 (4.50), while Rafael Nadal represents slightly more value at 11/2 (6.50).
To compare the best betting sites for tennis ahead of a bet on the top three favourites make sure to consult a betting expert who can deliver all the advice you need. The odds for Wimbledon this year are tighter with the top three in the world all back in contention.
Barty shoulders responsibility
Current number one in the world and Women’s top seed this year, Ashleigh Barty has a lot of pressure to handle. Emerging from the French Open with her first Grand Slam victory last month, the Australian is brimming with confidence, but staying on top is entirely different beast to handle.
A potentially derailing moment at the peak of Barty’s reborn tennis is a recurring shoulder injury that has plagued her since her teens. It’s an injury that has forced her to pull out of her preparations for the tournament proper, although the Grand Slam champions remains relaxed. The Queenslander is currently going into the tournament as outright favourite at 4/1 (5.0), nudging ahead of Serena Williams who is placed at 6/1 (7.0) to lift the title.
Barty will be hoping to top her meteoric ascent in the last three years with a second consecutive Grand Slam title on the grass courts of Wimbledon this summer.
By Adam Grimshaw
@adamgeorgie
