Defending Champions Can Have Repeat Success at Wimbledon

Wimbledon is the third Grand Slam in the tennis calendar, and with it being the only one of the four major tournaments that are played on grass, it is a competition many look forward to more than others.

There are fewer tournaments on grass, which is why some tennis tipsters concentrate on these events on the ATP Tour and WTA Tours more than those on any other surface. You often see repeat winners in these events, which makes predicting the winner easier.

This year’s Grand Slam could see the defending champions, Novak Djokovic and Elena Rybakina, lift the trophies once again on the final weekend of the tournament.

Djokovic Comes into Wimbledon on the Back of French Open Success

It has been an excellent start to the year for Djokovic, not only has regained the number one spot in the world rankings, but as you will have seen in the Feedinco news, he has also been victorious in the opening two Grand Slams of 2024. His most recent victory came in the French Open, where he became the first male player in history to win a 23rd Grand Slam singles title.

That was definitely a unique birthday celebration. I’ve received so much love from all of you and sealed it with a W. 👌🏻Love for me, win for you! See you again tomorrow. Same office, older guy 😉. #ATPGVA pic.twitter.com/QYk8x6V8NK

— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) May 22, 2024

Clay is arguably Djokovic’s weakest surface. His triumph in Paris was just his third at Roland Garros. The Serbian had an excellent two weeks, with wins over Carlos Alcaraz and Casper Ruud in the semi-final and final respectively. In the latter, he prevailed in straight sets, as you can read in the BBC Sport report.

Djokovic will relish the return to grass. He has won the last four renewals of Wimbledon, in 2018, 2019, 2021, and 2022. Victory this year will see him match Roger Federer for the most men’s singles titles with eight wins.

The Serbian will be extra motivated heading into the latest renewal of the tournament as he still has a chance of winning the Calendar Grand Slam. The last time he was in contention was in 2021, but his schedule caught up with him. He played at the Olympic Games in Japan just weeks before the US Open. That extra tournament, with the traveling involved, did not help his preparation for Flushing Meadows.

Djokovic will be determined to make sure he does not let this opportunity to become the first male player in over 50 years (since Rod Laver) to win the Calendar Grand Slam slip away. As of June 16th, he is -143 in the betting of the men’s Wimbledon Championship. You can visit the Feedinco site to help you convert those odds into a fraction or decimal, should you choose to read the odds that way.

Rybakina Looks Destined for More Grand Slam Glory

Elena Rybakina on her withdrawal from Rome:

“Unfortunately I don’t feel well enough to compete. I have such good memories from last year and was looking forward to defending my title. Rome is so special to me & I look forward to being back next year to reclaim my title and play… pic.twitter.com/aL5ii5DZ2g

— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) May 10, 2024

Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina won the first Grand Slam of her career at Wimbledon in 2022. She beat Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur in three sets in that final. Despite that being her maiden Grand Slam final appearance, she looked at home on Centre Court in London.

As of June 16, Rybakina is +400 with Betway Satta to defend her crown. She is at the top end of the betting along with French Open winners Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka. Of those three players, she has shown she is the most comfortable on grass.

Rybakina came very close to a second Grand Slam title earlier this at the Australian Open. She reached the final in Melbourne, losing to Sabalenka in a close three-set contest, as reported by the Guardian. That’s a rivalry that could be renewed at Wimbledon.

The defending Wimbledon champion is now up to number three in the world rankings, a career-high position. She has the potential to jump to the top of the standings by the time 2024 is over. A second Wimbledon success will give her a great chance of doing that.

The Kazakh player has tasted some success this year already on the WTA Tour. She won the Indian Wells Open, a WTA 1000 event, back in March. More recently, she prevailed on clay in the Italian Open.

Serena Williams was the last woman to defend her title at Wimbledon in 2017, in what was the seventh success of her career. With more experience and confidence, it would be no surprise to see Rybakina dominate the grass courts for many years to come too, as her game is perfectly suited to the surface.

Wimbledon 2024 begins on Mon, Jul 1, 2024, 12:00 PM – Sun, until Jul 14, 2024 when Djokovic opens on Centre Court in the first round.