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While it’s considered the most prestigious event of the tennis season, the 2022 Wimbledon Championships will be known more for who’s not playing rather than who actually is. Several of the top players in the sport on both sides of the draw will be noticeably absent this year.
With the two highest ranked players out of the men’s draw Novak Djokovic is the tennis betting pick. He likely would have been at or near the top of the odds list even in a full field with his history at Wimbledon. Djokovic is the three-time defending champ with all six of his wins coming since 2011 and he’s the prohibitive favorite at Sugarhouse sportsbook to match Pete Sampras for the second-most Wimbledon titles in the open era.
If you’re looking for an upset, the ladies draw is likely to produce one given its chaotic nature. There’s been just one repeat winner in the last decade and defending champ Ashleigh Barty unexpectedly retired from the WTA earlier this year. And with the status of Naomi Osaka cloudy due to injury the title is up for grabs, if someone can get past top tennis pick Iga Swiatek.
The 2022 Wimbledon Championships run from June 27 to July 10 at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. Wimbledon attracts the top players in the world and is the oldest tournament competed. Along with the Australian Open, French Open and U.S. Open, Wimbledon is one of four Grand Slam events and is the only major played on grass.
Odds to win 2022 Wimbledon Gentlemen’s Draw
Novak Djokovic -120
Matteo Berrettini +550
Rafael Nadal +700
Carlos Alcaraz +1000
Felix Auger Aliassime +1400
Hubert Hurkacz +1600
Nick Kyrgios +2200
Marin Cilic +2500
Stefanos Tsitsipas +4000
Andy Murray +4000
Denis Shapovalov +6600
Roger Federer +6600
With world No. 1 Daniil Medvedev banned from participating because he’s Russian and No. 2 Alexander Zverev out with an ankle injury, Djokovic is a massive negative odds favorite to win his seventh Wimbledon title. Three other players are listed at 10/1 or shorter with the entire field other than Djokovic being maybes. Rafael Nadal could be one standing in the way. He beat Djokovic in four sets in the quarters on his way to the French Open title, but his troubles on grass are well documented and worrisome. Nadal hasn’t competed at Wimbledon since 2019 and a lingering foot injury could be problematic.
Second on the tennis betting line Matteo Berrettini should get a look. He reached the Wimbledon final last year and beat Andy Murray in the Stuttgart Open earlier this month. He also prevailed in a prep tournament just a week ago. His booming serve is something to watch and will give opponents trouble.
I don’t see a lot of value in backing Djokovic at negative odds and he isn’t playing his best coming in. Some players thrive on grass better than other surfaces with Berrettini being an all-surface player. We know Nadal has issues and I don’t see him making it through the draw. There are options in players like Berrettini, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Carlos Alcaraz and Nick Kyrgios.
Odds to win 2022 Wimbledon Ladies Draw
Iga Swiatek +150
Coco Gauff +1000
Simona Halep +1400
Ons Jabeur +1400
Serena Williams +1800
Belinda Bencic +2000
Maria Sakkari +2200
Karolina Pliskova +2200
Emma Raducanu +2800
Bianca Andreescu +2800
Angelique Kerber +2800
Garbine Muguruza +4000
The big news on the ladies side is the return of Serena Williams to the court. That’s actually a welcome sight for tournament organizers who saw a number of big names off the lineup for different reasons. Serena is a huge draw and her past experience with 23 Grand Slam titles puts her in the mix. However, she hasn’t played since retiring from her first round match here last year.
Swiatek had little trouble losing just one set on her way to her second French Open and Grand Slam title making her a big tennis betting pick to win Wimbledon. She beat second favorite Coco Gauff in straight sets at Roland Garros putting her in Djokovic territory on the odds board. There are a number of solid picks and a shoulder injury puts a damper on Swiatek’s championship celebration.
The previous five winners prior to the COVID canceled 2020 edition are all in the field (Williams won twice in that span) making the lineup somewhat interesting. Simona Halep won in 2019 and rose to No. 1 in the world. Angelique Kerber won in 2018 and was runner-up to Williams two years earlier. Garbine Muguruza also won two years after falling to Williams capturing the title in 2017. Petra Kvitova, the 2014 champ, has the longest odds of any of the most recent victors.
Wimbledon Picks
There isn’t much value throwing down on Djokovic, but getting something in return is better than the alternative. Berrettini likely has the best chance, but his game is unpredictable at times. When he’s on he’s really good, though. But even that might not be enough. On the ladies side Swiatek has a lot going for her with two Grand Slams at the age of 21. She’s admitted to troubles on clay and an ailing shoulder opens the door for someone else. Muguruza has a nice payout, but Halep has upped her game after a brief lull making her my tennis pick.
