Australian Open 2024 Men's Singles Betting Tips and Predictions: Can anyone take Djokovic's crown

Exchange betting allows the punter to play bookie but it would take a brave bettor to lay Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open.

This is a tournament the Serb has won 10 times before, while he hasn’t lost at Melbourne Park since his defeat to Hyeon Chung in 2018. Since then, 28 consecutive matches have been won with his only loss coming in the Australian courts in 2022 when he was deported in highly controversial circumstances over his lack of COVID-19 vaccine.

Some will feel getting odds-against about the greatest player of all time at his most successful tournament is manna from heaven, yet I’ve always found it hard to back players coming into an event under an injury cloud and that’s the case here.

Djokovic was struggling with a wrist problem at the United Cup last week where he suffered a shock loss to Alex de Minaur and while the top seed has made a habit of showing injuries weren’t as bad as first feared over the years, backing a player at close to even money when you know they aren’t 100 per cent physically is always a bit of a worry.

Carlos Alcaraz is considered the man most likely alternative but, at twice the price, Jannik Sinner looks a more appealing bet from those towards the top of the betting.

The Italian won on hardcourts in Toronto, Beijing and Vienna in the second half last season before beating Djokovic at both the ATP Finals, where he finished runner-up, and the Davis Cup Finals as his nation lifted the trophy.

That run brought nine wins out of 10 against top-10 opponents and looks the perfect platform for a Grand Slam title bid.

Yes, Sinner still has things to prove in the best-of-five-sets format – he’s yet to play in a Slam final – but the 22-year-old is clearly one of the ‘next generation’ who is knocking on that particular door.

Further down the market, it may be worth throwing a few darts for a tournament which has been known for providing more surprises than any of the other majors.

Grigor Dimitrov loves playing in Australia – four times he’s made the quarter-finals or better in Melbourne – and was another to finish 2023 in great form, reaching the Paris Masters final.

Last week in Brisbane he picked up where he left off, playing some fine tennis to win the title, and he makes some appeal at 38.

Some will feel the value has now gone with Dimitrov so it may also be worth considering Casper Ruud.

He didn’t lift a trophy in the opening week of the season but was an eyecatcher who went somewhat under the radar at the United Cup.

Ruud won his three singles matches in straight sets to help Norway progress to the knockout stage, which was something of a surprise.

He’s more known for his claycourt exploits but it should not be forgotten that he reached the US Open final in 2022.

Finally, for those who like a real long shot, try Arthur Fils at 180.

After a breakthrough campaign in 2023, the French teenager is my one to watch on the tour this season and with a bit of luck in Thursday’s draw, could go deep.

He has major serve and forehand weapons and looked in good nick when reaching the Brisbane quarter-finals, losing only in three sets to eventual champion, Holger Rune.

Australian Open Men’s Singles Predictions

Back Jannik Sinner @ 7.0
Back Grigor Dimitrov @ 38.0
Back Casper Ruud @ 46.0
Back Arthur Fils @ 180.0