Serena Williams’ stunning return to the court at Wimbledon has reignited excitement across the tennis world, with fans and bettors alike eager to see how the 7-time singles champion will fare on the sport’s biggest grass-court stage.
After nearly four years way from Grand Slam singles competition, Williams was accepted as a wild-card entry and instantly became one of the tournament’s biggest storylines despite entering as an unseeded player.
With her comeback generating massive attention, betting markets have quickly adjusted to reflect both Williams’ legendary pedigree and the uncertainty surrounding her return. While Williams’ experience and record at Wimbledon will undoubtedly make her a fascinating contender, questions still remain about her ability to compete against the current generation’s elite players after such a lengthy absence.
The Sporting News breaks down everything you need to know about Serena Williams’ return to the court, including some best bets to make on the tennis legend ahead of Wimbledon and for her first match.
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Serena Williams odds to win Wimbledon
Despite not playing in a singles competition in over four years, Serena Williams has the 19th-best odds to win Wimbeldon according to DraftKings. The odds here are a bit optimistic, as most sportsbooks only give Williams around a 2% to 3% chance of winning the tournament compared to the favorites like Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina and Iga Swiatek.
Still, the 60-1 odds are respectable for someone who has been out of the game for so long. The most likely outcome for Williams in this scenario would be a second- or third-round exit from the tournament, or perhaps even a quarterfinal appearance if she gets a favorable matchup later on.
| Player | DraftKings |
| Aryna Sabalenka | +320 |
| Elena Rybakina | +600 |
| Jessica Pegula | +850 |
| Mirra Andreeeva | +1000 |
| Iga Swiatek | +1000 |
| Amanda Anisimova | +1200 |
| Madison Keys | +1600 |
| Coco Gauff | +1700 |
| Linda Noskova | +2000 |
| Karolina Muchova | +2000 |
| Naomi Osaka | +2200 |
| Elina Svitolina | +2800 |
| Marta Kostyuk | +3000 |
| Iva Jovic | +3000 |
| Donna Vekic | +4000 |
| Belinda Bencic | +4000 |
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Serena Williams vs. Maya Joint odds
Odds are courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
| Bet type | Odds |
| Serena Williams | +124 |
| Maya Joint | -158 |
| Total Games | O/U 20.5 (-130/-110) |
Serena Williams vs. Maya Joint prediction
The market prices Maya Joint as the slight favorite in this matchup, and this reflects the uncertainty surrounding Serena Williams’ return and her first Grand Slam singles match in nearly four years. However, Williams to win in three sets is the prediction to make here.
It should be a very close match. Joint is 24 years younger than Williams and should have a significant edge in movement, endurance and fitness. But despite the questions about how long Williams can hold up over a long match, she has the pedigree to pull this off. Seven Wimbledon singles titles and a career 98-14 record at the tournament are hard statistics to ignore. And remember, Williams has one of the best serves in the game, especially on grass surfaces.
Expect a rare match where Serena Williams’ historical greatness and grass skill outweigh the expectation that age and rust will hold her back from making a legendary comeback.
Prediction: Serena Williams to win in straight sets, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4
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Serena Williams best bets for Wimbledon
- Serena Williams to win at least one set (-210 at FanDuel)
Williams’ serve and experience on grass give her a strong chance to stay competitive, even if her fitness level over a full match is in question. She has a good chance to win at least one set in this matchup and that it itself will be a huge moment for Williams and the sport of tennis. If you’re not as optimistic as us that she’ll win the match, this is a way to get in on the action, although you’ll have to pay the juice.
- Serena Williams over 11.5 total games won (-152 at FanDuel)
If Williams is able to stay competitive early, this match could feature at least one tiebreaker or a three set battle. While the market is divided on this total its one of the more interesting bets available on this match without worrying about the exact match outcome.
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Best Serena Williams futures bet
- Serena Williams third quarter winner
It might be strange to see Williams have such short odds to reach the semifinal of Wimbledon despite not competing in a Grand Slam in almost four years, but her path to victory past the second and third rounds isn’t completely out of the question. If Williams can make it past Joint in the first round, expect her confidence and serving to improve quickly as she gets back to form on her best surface. By the third round of this tournament, Williams could be facing one of the top seeds, where the elite opposition and physical demands of consecutive matches might become a challenge. However, I wouldn’t count Williams out as she looks to write a Cinderella story in Wimbledon.
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