Australian Open 2024 betting preview, odds & tips
THE FIRST Grand Slam tennis tournament of 2024 is upon us with the action in Melbourne getting under way on Sunday morning.
Here’s our guide to Australian Open betting, including a look at the title favourites, the underdogs worth backing and the best bookmaker sites.
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Who are the favourites to win this year’s Australian Open?
So, who will be lifting the trophies come finals weekend at Melbourne Park? Let’s take a look at some of the favourites who might be worth a wager…
Women’s singles
Iga Swiatek (5/2 with William Hill) – The world number one ended 2023 superbly and has started 2024 just as well, winning all her matches at the United Cup. Looks the player to beat but is yet to reach an Australian Open final.
Aryna Sabalenka (11/2 with Ladbrokes) – The defending champion but a player with something of a reputation for losing big matches. Her power can hit anyone off the court but errors can also flow.
Elena Rybakina (11/2 with BetVictor) – One of the best servers in the women’s game. Made the final here 12 months ago and is a former Wimbledon champion. Sparkled in the opening week of the season, winning the Brisbane title without losing a set.
Coco Gauff (7/1 with bet365) – The reigning US Open champion. Still a teenager but has really matured since adding Brad Gilbert to her coaching team, in particular improving her forehand. Already has a 2024 title to her name having won in Auckland.
Men’s singles
Novak Djokovic (11/10 with bet365) – Melbourne Park is essentially the Serb’s backyard – he’s won a record 10 titles at this tournament. Hard to bet against but was struggling with a wrist injury at the recent United Cup where he lost to Alex de Minaur.
Carlos Alcaraz (10/3 with bet365) – The Wimbledon champion is a huge talent with great shot-making ability but he doesn’t have much experience in Australia. Has played this event only twice and is yet to make the second week.
Jannik Sinner (11/2 with Unibet) – Excellent in the second half of 2023, winning nine of 10 matches against top-10 players, including two over Djokovic. Must prove he can do it in the best-of-five format though as he’s yet to make a Grand Slam final.
Daniil Medvedev (8 with BetMGM) – Consistent hardcourt surface performer who has played in two of the last three Australian Open finals and is a former US Open champion. A strong serve and great defensive skills always make him tough to beat.
Odds shown are best prices as of January 10.
Australian Open facts and stats
- Ten of Novak Djokovic’s 24 Grand Slam titles have come at the Australian Open – a record. Only Rafael Nadal has won a single tournament on more occasions, doing so at the French Open (14), the Barcelona Open (12) and the Monte Carlo Masters (11).
- Djokovic has won his last 28 Australian Open matches and is undefeated in Melbourne since 2018. However, that is still some way short of the overall Grand Slam record at one tournament – Bjorn Borg won 41 in a row at Wimbledon between 1976 and 1981.
- The last home winner of the Australian Open men’s singles title was Mark Edmondson in 1976. Fresh from a recent win over Djokovic, Alex de Minaur is considered the most likely man to end that run in 2024.
- The last player to win the men’s singles title without dropping a set was Roger Federer in 2007.
- In the last 20 years, the men’s champion has come from inside the top eight seeds on all but one occasion – Roger Federer was seeded 17th when he won in 2017. In the same period, the top seed has won 10 times. Novak Djokovic is this year’s top seed.
- Only four times in the Open Era (which began in May 1968) has the women’s singles title been won by a player outside the top eight seeds. Sofia Kenin in 2020 was the last such example – she was the 14th seed.
- Since Serena Williams won the last of her 23 Grand Slam titles in Melbourne seven years ago, the 26 majors have been shared out among 17 different players, with 15 maiden champions crowned.
- The last female player to successfully defend the Australian Open title was Victoria Azarenka in 2013. Aryna Sabalenka will bid to go back-to-back in 2024.
- The last mother to win a Grand Slam title was Kim Clijsters at the 2011 Australian Open. At this year’s event, there will be some high-profile attempts to break that drought with Naomi Osaka, Angelique Kerber and Elina Svitolina all in the field.
Australian Open – How to watch
- Location: Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia
- Time and date: Sunday January 14 to Sunday January 28 (matches start at 0001 GMT most days; singles finals at 0830 GMT)
- Televised on: Eurosport & Discovery+
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Australian Open previous winners
A quick review of recent tournament history with a look back at the champions from the past decade.
Men’s singles Australian Open winners
- 2023 – Novak Djokovic
- 2022 – Rafael Nadal
- 2021 – Novak Djokovic
- 2020 – Novak Djokovic
- 2019 – Novak Djokovic
- 2018 – Roger Federer
- 2017 – Roger Federer
- 2016 – Novak Djokovic
- 2015 – Novak Djokovic
- 2014 – Stan Wawrinka
Women’s singles Australian Open winners
- 2023 – Aryna Sabalenka
- 2022 – Ash Barty
- 2021 – Naomi Osaka
- 2020 – Sofia Kenin
- 2019 – Naomi Osaka
- 2018 – Caroline Wozniacki
- 2017 – Serena Williams
- 2016 – Angelique Kerber
- 2015 – Serena Williams
- 2014 – Li Na
Australian Open important matchups in recent history
The Australian Open has treated us to some classic matches in recent times. Here’s a look at some of the most memorable…
Novak Djokovic v Rafael Nadal – 2012 final
At five hours and 53 minutes, this is the longest-ever Grand Slam final. A thrilling contest full of incredible rallies, Djokovic prevailed 7-5 in the fifth set but Nadal may still be having nightmares about a missed backhand when serving at 4-2, 30-15 in the decider. Also remembered for the fact they brought chairs on court for the player during the presentation ceremony at close to 2am!
Rafael Nadal v Daniil Medvedev – 2022 final
One of the most memorable comebacks in tennis history saw Nadal rally from two sets down to stun Medvedev. What made it all the more remarkable was the fact that the Spaniard had come into the tournament having barely played in the previous six months. He was the first player to win the title from two sets down since Roy Emerson in 1965.
Roger Federer v Rafael Nadal – 2017 final
Before Nadal’s 2022 ‘win from nowhere’ there was Roger Federer’s 2017 triumph. Having not played for six months, few expected anything from the Swiss as he headed Down Under yet he emerged as champion, winning three five-set matches including this contest which saw him go ultra-aggressive on his backhand in a bid to turn the tide against his great rival. It worked and Federer duly claimed his first Grand Slam title in almost five years.
Jennifer Capriati v Martina Hingis – 2002 final
You will literally not see the like of this again, the match being played out in temperatures hitting 46C. These days the roof would be closed in such a situation. It all proved too much for Hingis. She had appeared on course for a straight-sets victory leading by a set and 4-0 but as the heat took its toll she physically wilted, often sitting down in the shade between points. Four championship points came and went in the second-set tie-break after which there was only going to be one winner.
Andy Murray v Thanasi Kokkinakis – 2023, second round
Murray has reached (and lost) five Australian Open finals but none could match the drama of this contest which lasted five hours and 45 minutes and finished just after 4am. Kokkinakis served for a straight-sets win in the third set but failed before the man with the metal hip made him pay with what was a record 11th career victory from two sets down. It remains the longest match of the Briton’s career.
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Australian Open FAQ
Do UK bookies offer live streaming for the Australian Open?
Yes, some bookmakers will be providing live streaming on Australian Open matches, including bet365 and William Hill.
1. Which bookies offer the best Australian Open betting odds?
A quick look at odds comparison site Oddschecker shows Sky Bet have many of the best betting odds in the outright markets, although they are not top price on many of the favourites in the men’s singles.
For those at the top of the men’s market, Coral/Ladbrokes are offering competitive odds in a bid to attract bets.
In terms of range of markets, bet365 and Unibet are two bookies well known for their depth.
2. Who are some underdogs to consider for Australian Open betting?
Grigor Dimitrov and Casper Ruud both look capable of challenging the bigger names in the men’s singles after starting the 2024 season well. Dimitrov won the Brisbane International, while Ruud went 3-0 for Norway at the United Cup team event.
For a big outsider, unseeded teenager Arthur Fils is a star of the future who could make waves at a big price.
In the women’s draw, Elina Svitolina and Qinwen Zheng both make appeal at tasty odds.
Svitolina made an impressive comeback last season after giving birth, reaching the quarter-finals of the French Open and the semis at Wimbledon. In the opening week of 2024, she finished runner-up in Auckland.
As for Qinwen, the world number 13 has one of the best serves in the game and looks to have been underrated by the layers after surging up the rankings last season.
3. Who is the youngest player to win the Australian Open?
In tennis’ professional Open Era, Martina Hingis is the youngest-ever singles champion – she was just 16 years and 105 days old when winning the tournament in 1997.
In the men’s singles, the youngest Open Era winner is Mats Wilander, who was crowned champion in 1983 when 19 years and 111 days old.
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