Australian Open Odds Update: Novak Djokovic Gets The Boot, Draw Bursts Wide Open

Australian Open Odds Update: Novak Djokovic Gets The Boot, Draw Bursts Wide Open

The Novak Djokovic saga has finally concluded, but not in the world No.1’s favor as the courts decided to uphold the Australian government’s decision to revoke his visa Sunday. The Serbian was summarily frogmarched to the airport and deported.

Djokovic’s ignominious departure has massive implications for the 2022 Australian Open as the tournament loses its defending champion and nine-time Australian Open champion who was bidding for a record 21st career grand slam title in Melbourne. The impact is felt in the draw, with the top-half bursting wide open. As well, the impact is felt in the betting as bookmakers have had to readdress the Australian Open futures market. 

Newly-minted top favorite Daniil Medvedev is priced as the short-odds-on-favorite to win the title with multiple sportsbooks. The Russian replaces Djokovic at the top of the tennis odds board as the +250 favorite or thereabouts depending on your choice betting site. 

He leads a stellar field of top favorites that includes Alexander Zverev (+400), Rafael Nadal (+1100), and Stefanos Tsitsipas (+1200). Medvedev is the most recent grand slam champion after lifting the 2021 US Open (defeated Djokovic in straight sets) title last autumn. He was also the runner-up to Djokovic at the 2021 Australian Open. 

Below we take a closer look at the draw and the potential contenders for this year’s first major Down Under.

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Australian Open Odds Update

Daniil Medvedev’s Quarter

Medvedev’s draw isn’t straightforward and littered with potential stumbling blocks. In the second round, Medvedev could face Australian Nick Kyrgios (+10000), who loves playing at his home slam and can shake things up despite his long odds. Big-serving Americans John Isner and Maxime Cressy are contained within his section, along with France’s Ugo Humbert and Argentina’s Diego Schwartzman (+25000). Should Medvedev survive the early rounds, he could face rising Canadian star Felix Auger-Alliassime in the quarters, who is priced at +3300 with Bet365 and is flush of winning the ATP Cup with Canada. Alternatively, he could face compatriot Andrey Rublev (+2500) who is the highest seed in his section.

Stefanos Tsitsipas Quarter

Stefanos Tsitsipas reached the semi-finals of the 2021 Australian Open, beating Rafael Nadal in the quarters. He lost to Medvedev in straight sets in the final four. The Greek rising star is seeking his maiden grand slam title this year after coming close at the French Open (l.to Djokovic in a five-set final). His quarter is flanked by Norway’s Casper Ruud, who is a player to watch this season after a banner run in 2021. Contained within his section are several stumbling blocks though, including Andy Murray (+5000), who is coming off a runner-up finish to Aslan Karatsev (+5000) at the Adelaide International. Elsewhere, journeyman Roberto Bautista Agut, Frances Tiafoe, Taylor Fritz are just some of the many hopefuls that lurk in his section. 

Rafael Nadal's Quarter

Rafael Nadal has lost four finals Down Under since winning his only Australian Open title in 2009. Once he lost to Roger Federer and three times he was denied by Djokovic. It’s safe to say, Djokovic’s departure benefits the Spaniard as the pair were drawn in the top half and could have crossed paths in the semis. That said, Nadal’s section is a minefield with plenty of obstacles strewn everywhere. In the second round, Nadal could face Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis, who is coming off his maiden ATP title. Russian Karen Kachanov, Karatsev, and Hubert Hurkacz are all players that are on his path to the quarterfinals. In the last eight, Denis Shapovalov and Alexander Zverev are the highest seeds that could challenge the Spaniard in his bid to reach the semis. 

Matteo Berretini’s Quarter

Formerly Djokovic’s quarter, this is now Matteo Berrettini’s section as the highest seed in the section. It’s a great opportunity for Berrettini (+2800) to go deep at the Australian Open. He has only ever reached the fourth round in Melbourne, accomplishing the feat in 2021. Berrettini was a finalist at the Wimbledon Championships last summer, losing to Djokovic in four sets. The Italian’s section includes Hungarian Marton Fucsovics, Pablo Carreno Busta, Fabio Fognini, and Cameron Norrie to name a few, The potential quarterfinalists that could emerge include Gael Monfils, Lorenzo Sonego, Cristian Garin, or, even, lucky loser Salvatore Caruso, who takes Djokovic’s place in the draw. 

Men's Australian Open Odds Update

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