Despite 3 Years w/o Wins, Williams Gets Highest Australian Open 2020 Book Odds
Date Posted: January 15, 2020

This year’s first grand slam, the Australian Open 2020, starts on January 20 with Serena Williams taking the lead in terms of sportsbook odds over the other favorites. Following her on the list are Naomi Osaka, Ashleigh Barty, and Simona Halep.
Will Osaka be able to defend her Australian Open title? Will Williams fulfill what the books predicted? Or will another player prove the sportsbooks wrong?
Serena Williams | +450
Based on the figures released by popular sportsbook, including Ladbrokes and William Hill, Williams has +450 odds of winning the Australian Open 2020. This prediction is surprising among tennis players and fans alike as the 38-year-old athlete has not won any Grand Slam title within the last three years. Plus, Williams currently stands as world No. 9, way behind Ashleigh Barty who holds the top spot in the world rankings for women’s tennis.
All these, however, had much to do with her months without playing brought about by her first pregnancy in 2018. Also last year, the American was dealing with an ankle injury that contributed to her loss to Karolina Pliskova.
? + ?… Serena Williams is ready for #AO2020@serenawilliams | #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/OPVG3TS11x
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 15, 2020
Now that tennis analysts and oddsmakers see Williams in perfect shape, they mark her as one of the strongest contenders for the trophy in Melbourne. This is taking into consideration the fact that she has already won this event seven times since 2003.
Naomi Osaka | +700
Apart from being the defending champion, Naomi Osaka is also the world No. 3. She is also the first Asian to ever top the world rankings for women tennis players (2019).
This made me cry. I guess this year really has been crazy huh? pic.twitter.com/2jrZYdyuDs
— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka) December 22, 2019
The 22-year-old Japanese player said:
“Defending a title means that you have done well at that particular event in the past – therefore you feel good on the surface and in the surroundings. So really I’m just excited to play.”
Meanwhile, sports reporter George Bellshaw of Metro is positive Osaka has high chances of winning. He said:
“Andreescu was the name rolling off my tongue for the first Slam title of the season but her continued injury struggles have made me think twice so I’ll go for defending champion Naomi Osaka, who looked to be finding her best form again late in 2019.”
Ashleigh Barty | +800
Much pressure is on Ashleigh Barty as she aims for a home Grand Slam, a win which Australia last had way back in 1976 with Christine O’Neil.
There’s no place like home ? pic.twitter.com/o9mCiRcCN9
— Ash Barty (@ashbarty) January 4, 2020
The 23-year-old Australian player is the current world No. 1 in singles according to the Women’s Tennis Association. In total, she has already won seven titles in singles, including a Grand Slam at the French Open 2019. As the Australian Open 2020 approaches, experts weigh in on whether Barty will retain her hold of the top spot in the world rankings.
Ashleigh Barty still on top but gap narrows ahead of Australia Open#AshleighBarty #Tennis #AustraliaOpen https://t.co/ZoMBlw0PSf pic.twitter.com/8SLo25k54l
— World News Network (@worldnewsdotcom) January 13, 2020
Simona Halep | +900
Online oddsmakers also see Simona Halep as a tough competitor for this year’s first Grand Slam. Halep, a 28-year-old Romanian, was ranked world No. 1 between 2017 and 2019. Overall, she has held the top spot for 64 weeks.
SI-MO-NA! ?This fan fave has had a physically tough year but calls it her best after a fantastic win at Wimbledon. Can she recreate the magic at #AO2020?#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/0y0IUsiURO
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 1, 2020
At present, Halep sits at No. 4 in the world rankings, same as her rank in most sportsbooks’ listings in terms of odds for the Australian Open 2020. With the 2020 Australian Open beginning next week, she is keen on giving her best performance at the ongoing Adelaide International.
Incredible strike from @Simona_Halep! ?#AdelaideTennis pic.twitter.com/9gUlG6Rp6d
— WTA (@WTA) January 14, 2020
The players following the four above based on sportsbooks’ odds are Karolina Pliskova, Aryna Sabalenka, Madison Keys, and Petra Kvitova.
The qualifying matches started today, January 14th, and will end on the 18th, Saturday. These will be followed by the championship rounds which will run from January 20th up to February 2nd.