by Bob Stockton
@BobStockton10
The opening Grand slam of the year is the Australian open, which is next up in the tennis calendar. This will be taking place between the 18th January, before finishing up on the 31st January. It is already looking set to be a much-anticipated tournament, as we hopefully finally see the return of spectators to the sport and start a prosperous 2021 for tennis. So here we cover the top betting favorites ahead of the event at the start of the year.
The clear betting favourite for the title at a best priced 11/8 is Novak Djokovic. Sport betting sites have seen an influx of support behind Djokovic, so his current odds could yet shorten further, as we near the event. The 33-year-old is an eight-time winner of the tournament and has won in each of the last two editions. The 17-time Grand slam winner is the clear player to beat and will be looking to back up his victory, when taken to five sets in the final by Dominic Thiem. If Djokovic can retain his title at the start of 2021, then it could be the start of many, as he remains the clear leading player in the sport at present.
Next in the betting is Rafael Nadal who is a best priced 6/1. The 34-year-old currently holds 20 Grand slam titles, putting him joint top with Federer. He won the tournament back in 2009, which was his only victory at the Australian open. Nadal has had a successful run in the Grand slams in recent years, picking up three titles in 2019 and 2020, so will be a strong contender in Melbourne.
Third in the betting is Dominic Thiem at a best priced 13/2. The 27-year-old has continued to improve in recent years and is now challenging and reaching many Grand slam finals. Thiem has won Grand slam title to date, when coming at the US Open earlier this year. This will give him a lot of confidence moving forward, so he rates a strong contender ahead of the opening Grand slam of 2021. Thiem also reached the final of the Australian open in 2020, so could finally land the tournament next year.
The final player at the top of the betting is Daniil Medvedev at a general 7/1. He is incredibly just 24 years of age but has now improved to be one of the leading players in the game. Medvedev reached the final of the US open in 2019 and the fourth round at the Australian open for the last two editions. He will be hopeful of pushing to the latter stages and rates a solid contender, following a breakthrough in 2019 and his continued improvement.
