The new tennis season is underway, and players from across the globe are getting ready for the first Grand Slam of 2024, the Australian Open. Held annually at Melbourne Park – which has hosted the tournament since 1988 – the tournament is Australia’s premier tennis competition and boasts a prestige matched only by Wimbledon and the French and US Opens.
Below, we spoke with Kambi’s Head of Live Tennis, Richard Pratt, for his tournament insights ahead of the Grand Slam Down Under.
Q: What makes the Australian Open an important tournament for sports betting?
A: The Grand Slams are easily the biggest events in tennis betting in terms of turnover, and the Australian Open sets the tone for the year ahead falling in January. Many of the matches take place at favourable times for important markets in the US and Latin America, so we often expect plenty of action particularly in early rounds compared to some of the other major events.
Q: Who are the favourites in the men’s singles this year? Can anyone unseat Djokovic?
A: Despite his advancing years, Novak Djokovic is still clearly the best player in the world and is sending off players 15 years his junior. He goes in as clear favourite in a tournament he has dominated throughout his career, priced at 2.00/+100. Carlos Alvarez and Jannik Sinner look like the main threats as both have recorded wins over the Serb in very high-profile matches in the last six months, while Australia’s Alex de Minaur is also a player to keep a close eye on, having entered the top 10 in January.
Q: Who are the leading contenders for the women’s singles title? Are there any underdogs capable of upsetting the established stars?
A: The women’s field is more open than the men’s, but I think Iga Swiatek should be a clear favourite. Although she only secured the number one ranking by winning the WTA finals, underlying statistics suggest she was the best female player in 2023 by a wide margin, reflected in her 3.39/+239 price to triumph at the year’s first Grand Slam.
Aryna Sabalenka will be fancied after reaching at least the semi-finals of all four Grand Slams last year and winning this tournament in 2023, although Coco Gauff, Elena Rybakina and Jessica Pegula will all have ambitions of besting her this time around.
For an interesting contender, how about four-time Slam winner Naomi Osaka on her return from giving birth to her first child in 2023? She secured an impressive comeback win in her first tournament for 15 months at the Brisbane International and is 26.00/+2500 to win in Melbourne.
Q: From a product perspective, what can partners anticipate from Kambi for the tournament?
A: Our partners can expect a deep and extensive offering on matches in the build-up to and throughout the tournament. Tennis lends itself well to delivering an engaging live betting experience, and alongside traditional favourites including ‘next point winner’, Kambi’s ‘ace in game’ market will be available on the majority of singles matches. There will also be additional bet offers
made available for singles matches played at the Rod Laver Arena.
