Australian Open Tennis

First of the four tennis majors, the 2024 Australian Open, begins Sunday (local time) with any number of storylines in and around Melbourne during the (a first) 15-day event.

Novak Djokovic is the defending Down Under champion and top seed on the men’s side, while Aryna Sabalenka, the 2023 victress women’s side, is No. 2 (behind Iga Switek). Djokovic and Swiatek are wagering choices this time around, according to Australian Open womens’ odds.

Women are “Loaded”

As the ladies game has grown over the last few years, it’s no surprise the 2024 Aussie Open field is quite deep, Iga Swiatek, top-ranked in the world, is the 9-4 (+225) to win what would be a fifth major and first Aussie Open. 

Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina, who opposed one another in the 2023 final match, are co-second choices (+500), while last season’s U.S. Open champ, Coco Gauff, is at 7-1 (+700). Gauff lost in the fourth round here last season.

Intriguing outsiders include Jessica Pegula (16-1, +1600) and Ons Jabeur (20-1, +2000). 

Novak…and No One? 

Novak Djokovic has won the Australian Open 10 times, which in itself is borderline illegal. He’s the puny-priced 11-10 (+110) favorite to do it again. With the number of his Grand Slam titles at a record-tying 24 (three last season), the road to Melbourne goes through him.

Having denied Djokovic the Grand Slam with an epic win at Wimbledon, Carlos Alcaraz is the clear second choice here at +325. Jannik Sinner (+650) and Daniil Medvedev (+900) are the only other men under double figures in the wagering, as per Australian Open mens’ odds.

Plenty of Options

If you’re a believer that early-season tennis is somewhat less formful, value is available, both in individual matches and over the course of the Aussie Open. The unexpected does happen…you just have to find it. 

Djokovic can’t (theoretically) win this tournament forever, so perhaps this is the time to pick off the chalk and find someone out of the woodwork and at a price. 

That’s the task awaiting you Down Under.