Wimbledon Men's Singles Betting Tips: Can Alcaraz retain his title in SW19?

Andy Schooler previews Wimbledon 2024 and says seven-time champion Novak Djokovic is worth taking on in the men’s singles.

Novak Djokovic is a seven-time champion at Wimbledon but the chances of him winning an eighth don’t look great.

It was just three weeks ago that his knee went under the surgeon’s knife to repair a torn meniscus, a point at which few believed he would even make it to the start line.

He has, however, been practising at the All England Club in recent days, saying a decision about his participation will be made prior to Friday’s draw.

It looks like a remarkable recovery and, given his record in this event, I’m sure some will still happily back the Serb at 5.3.

Yet even if Djokovic is “close to maximum” – which he says he’ll need to be if he is to compete – is he ready to win what would be an all-time record 25th Grand Slam title?

Remember that prior to his injury, form had been poor – the 37-year-old is yet to win a title of any sort in 2024.

This is only the second time since 2007 that he’s reached Wimbledon without a trophy, the other being 2018. He did win Wimbledon that season but looks like a lay this time around.

Djokovic’s current price makes him third favourite with Jannik Sinner having settled at the top of the market after claiming his maiden grass court title in Halle last week.

The world number one made the semis of Wimbledon last year so appears to be getting closer and there’s a growing feeling that the Australian Open champ could shine here.

I’d still be a little concerned about Sinner on this surface though with main rival Carlos Alcaraz having already proved he has what it takes to win this crown.

Alcaraz triumphed here last year, toppling Djokovic in a classic final, although the difference this time around is he arrives as French Open champion.

That could work two ways – either he’ll be brimming with confidence or the mental and physical rigours will have taken some sort of toll.

Some would argue his Queen’s Club loss to Jack Draper suggests the latter, although this is best-of-five tennis and you’d expect him to get time in the first week to play himself back into the form which saw him triumph in Paris. 

One thing worth noting ahead of the draw is that, if Djokovic’s name is in it, there’s a 50-50 chance the top two in the market will be in the same half.

With that in mind, it’s worth looking at some bigger prices.

Big servers still often go well here – think Nick Kyrgios in 2022 and Matteo Berrettini in 2021.

Berrettini, who recently made the Stuttgart final, boasts an excellent record on grass and could contend at 40 but, after a long spell out, you wonder if he has the fitness and durability for five-set tennis.

Instead, Hubert Hurkacz, arguably the tour’s best server, makes an appeal.

He was a semi-finalist here in 2021 and last year fully tested Djokovic in the last 16 when the Serb really struggled on return.

If that first shot fires, the Pole can make waves.

Finally, let’s mention Sebastian Korda, a player who has shown some good signs on grass in recent weeks.

The American – out at 110 – made the final in Den Bosch and the semis at Queen’s.

He’s only played Wimbledon twice but beat two seeds during his run to the 2021 last 16 where he really should have beaten Karen Khachanov.

With the way he’s playing on this surface, the price looks on the large side.

Recommended Bets:

Lay Novak Djokovic @ 5.5
Back Carlos Alcaraz @ 3.6
Back Hubert Hurkacz @ 25
Back Sebastian Korda @ 110