Wimbledon Odds: Ban on Russian & Belarusian Players Impacts Betting
The sports betting nz sites have shifted their odds on who will win the Wimbledon men’s singles title after confirmation Russian and Belarusian players won’t compete this summer.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has led to a string of sporting bans across the world. So far much of the tennis tour has refrained from blocking the country’s players from competing on the WTA and ATP Tours.
But Wimbledon has confirmed players such as Daniil Medvedev – the men’s world No 2 – won’t be able to compete in the Grand Slam this summer.
Both of tennis’ governing bodies have criticised the move, which means women’s world No 4 Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus will also be unable to compete.
But the All England Club appears to be sticking to its decision, stating: “In the circumstances of such unjustified and unprecedented military aggression, it would be unacceptable for the Russian regime to derive any benefits from the involvement of Russian or Belarusian players”.
And tennis betting sites have been swift to reshuffle their tennis odds in the wake of the ban.
Indeed, the men’s singles odds have been particularly affected by the decision to prevent Medvedev from playing. The 26-year-old is considered one of the few players capable of defeating Novak Djokovic at SW19 this summer, having crushed the Serb to claim the US Open title in three sets last year.
Medvedev hasn’t fared better than the fourth round at Wimbledon but was still the second-favourite to win the trophy this season.
His omission has caused the odds of those directly above him in the Wimbledon betting markets to shrink. Two-time champion Rafael Nadal is now the second favourite at 5/1 with Paddy Power, while Italy’s Matteo Berrettini is in to 6/1.
Stefanos Tsitsipas (17/2), Alexander Zverev (9/1) and Denis Shapovalov (14/1) have also seen their odds come in. What’s more, even 40-year-old Roger Federer is now just 20/1 to win Wimbledon.
However, one player whose odds haven’t changed since Medvedev’s omission is Djokovic. The defending champion remains at Evens (1/1) to win what would be a 21st Grand Slam title – odds so low that the bookies are struggling to cut his price any further.
Can you cash out of bets before an event has finished?
Can you cash out of bets before an event has finished?
Can you cash out of bets before an event has finished?
Wimbledon Women’s Odds Shift
Meanwhile, Sabalenka’s omission comes after Ashleigh Barty recently confirmed her retirement from tennis at the age of 25. It means the Wimbledon women’s singles odds have greatly bunched up, and the focus is now on five core players.
Iga Swiatek is now the firm favourite at 3/1, with Naomi Osaka in second at 6/1. Last year’s US Open champion Emma Raducanu will have the national spotlight on her this summer and is 9/1 to win the title – a big ask for a player who, at the age of just 19, has only experienced Wimbledon once before.
Remarkably, Serena Williams’ odds of winning a 24th Grand Slam have fluctuated since Sabalenka’s omission. The American’s price initially widened from 12/1 to 18/1, before coming back in to settle at 14/1. Punters evidently aren’t sure what to make of Williams’ chances this summer. But she is
