He's not got past the last eight of a slam this year but that's not stopped money being staked on the Serb.
It’s that time of the year where tennis fans flock to the The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club to watch the world’s best compete for the Wimbledon Championship. They might have strawberries with cream and champagne on their minds but us at oddschecker are interested in one thing, who are you backing?
The tournament this year is particularly open. 35-year-old Roger Federer, who was 28/1 for the Australian Open at the start of the year (before he went on to win it), has been installed as the tournament favourite at 9/4. But it is another former world number one who has proved the most popular among punters before the championships begin.
Djokovic wrapped up victory at the Aegon International on Saturday and since has accounted for 67.9% of all the money staked on Wimbledon. Although Novak didn’t face anyone of particular note – he beat world number 16 Gael Monfils in the final at Eastbourne – it means he does go into the championships on a four game winning streak and that has been good enough to convince most that the Serb is worth a bet. Available at odds of 6/1 yesterday his odds have been cut across the board and the best price you will find is now 5/1.
He has endured a difficult 2017 so far, so it is quite surprising when you compare the percentage of bets Djokovic is receiving on the week leading up to Wimbledon this year compared to last. In 2016, he had won the previous two slams and was the favourite for the tournament. He had received 24% of bets. This year he goes into the tournament having received an almost identical share, 23.6% of bets.
It is true that the draw has been kind to Novak – Dominic Thiem at 55/1 is the player bookies rate as the next most likely to challenge in his quarter. But it also shows that with no stand out favourite in the market, many are willing to chance their arm at the price, in the hope that he can rediscover the form that shot him to the top of the sport and has won him twelve Grand Slams and three Wimbledon titles.
