Tennis bookies favour youth over experience in Wimbledon final

Novak Djokovic takes on Carlos Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final on Sunday afternoon in London, and tennis bookmakers have taken a surprising angle with their betting markets.

Despite the fact that Djokovic has won the tournament seven times previously, bookies have Alcaraz marginally ahead in the betting odds.

The Spaniard pays $1.72 at Neds to defend his title, with Djokovic at $2.20 to gain revenge in what is a repeat of the pair’s meeting in the 2023 Wimbledon final.

Alcaraz’s recent form the deciding factor for bookmakers

Seeing Djokovic trail in the betting odds heading into any Grand Slam final is surprising, considering he’s won more of them than any other man in history.

However, it’s clear that Australian bookmakers are favouring Alcaraz’s recent form over the 24-time Grand Slam champion’s record at this level.

Alcaraz has been the clear second-best player in 2024.

He comes to Wimbledon having just won the third major of his career, prevailing in five sets over Alexander Zverev in the French Open final last month.

The 21-year-old has also played 38 matches this season.

Djokovic, on the other hand, comes into Wimbledon low on match time.

The Serbian has had a patchy year, playing just 28 matches, with only two against top 10 opposition.

The case for Djokovic winning Wimbledon

Despite bookmakers pinning Djokovic as the underdog coming into the final match of Wimbledon, there’s a fair argument for taking the 37-year-old to win the title.

Since he lost to Alcaraz at this stage last year, he’s gone on to defeat the Spaniard in their next two matches. Their most recent meeting, at the year-end ATP Finals, was a convincing straight sets win.

He also has a penchant for revenge.

Think 2023, when he returned to Australia after being deported the year before, and won the tournament for the loss of just one set.

The Serbian has shown already this year that he has an edge in London. His comments to the Centre Court crowd after defeating Holger Rune were about as anti-hero as it gets.

Djokovic has also been overt with the fact that he’s driven by records.

With a 25th Grand Slam on the line, taking him clear of Margaret Court on the all-time winner list, plus an eighth Wimbledon, tying him with Roger Federer for wins on the London grass, there’s plenty to play for.

Considering all of this, his odds of $2.20 at PlayUp are looking quite enticing.

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