Tennis betting special: Rafael Nadal 11/10 to continue Grand Slam streak in 2019

Rafael Nadal to extend his major streak next year? Andy Murray to win a Grand Slam in 2019? Novak Djokovic to win all four majors? Derek Bilton is back with his tennis betting specials.
So is it really the end for Roger Federer? That’s the question on the lips of tennis fans across the world as 2018 comes to a close and according to the bookies, it just might be.
The aura of invincibility has gone and the great man showed the end could be near after a pretty erratic season. Few who saw it will forget watching him blow in after being up two sets (and later a match point up) to Kevin Anderson at Wimbledon. Or being stunned by Australian journeyman John Millman at the US Open.
In the wake of that defeat Pat Cash said it was either time for Roger to return to a full playing schedule or retire. Federer of course has skipped the clay season for the last two years and only took part in one warm-up competition prior to the US Open.
However, surely Cash was being a little harsh? Let’s not forget the Swiss legend added to his record Grand Slam haul by winning the Australian Open in January and finished the year as world No 3.
That’s not a bad body of work but despite this bet365 have him as short as 4/11 not to win a Grand Slam next year. That looks eye-wateringly short when you consider he’s probably the greatest player ever to hit a tennis ball and the fact he reached seven ATP finals in 2018 (winning four). He’s a 2/1 shot to claim one Major in 2019 and as big as 12/1 to land two.
It’s obviously going to be tough for a player who turns 38 in August to continue to play lights out tennis for two weeks at a time during the Slams. But given his prodigious gifts and uncanny ability to find himself in advantageous sides of the draw (at least according to Julian Benneteau), would you really back against him adding to his haul of 20 Majors in the coming season?
bet365 have Andy Murray chalked up as a 5/1 shot to win one Grand Slam in 2019, and that could tempt some punters after news last week that he will use his protected ranking of world No 2 to gain entry to January’s Australian Open.
He ended his season early of course to focus on making “big improvements” in 2019 but the bookies are not convinced with bet365 as short as 1/14 that he doesn’t win a Major.
Novak Djokovic meanwhile is just 20/1 with the same firm to win all four Grand Slam titles next year. Djokovic enjoyed a fabulous final six months after a very dodgy start to the season and is clearly the man the bookies want to keep onside (they make him a favourite to start the year with a bang in Melbourne).
However 20/1 to win every Slam looks pretty short especially given how Rafael Nadal has had the French Open on lockdown now for well over a decade. Nadal has won at least one Major for 10 consecutive years, which in itself is a record in the open era.
His record at the French Open may never be bettered and he’s 11/10 to win a Slam in 2019. That looks a great price as he actually had a fine season and looked to have a great chance to win in New York back in September until a knee problem flared up and he was forced to retire in his semi against Juan Martin Del Potro.
Bilko’s Banker: Rafael Nadal to win one Grand Slam in 2019 at 11/10 (bet365)
Best of the Rest: Novak Djokovic to win two Grand Slams in 2019 at 9/4 (bet365)
Derek Bilton
More from Tennis365:
Latest
-
Tennis News
Novak Djokovic reveals key to his iconic 2011 US Open return against Roger Federer
Novak Djokovic has recalled his famous forehand return against Roger Federer at the 2011 US Open and revealed the key to the shot.
-
Tennis News
‘Novak Djokovic motivation will not change now he has 24 Grand Slams’
“I think this combination of the three elements is key and has been key in all his achievements since he started to play tennis.”
-
ATP Tour
Andy Murray makes admission about his season as he looks for a ‘strong finish’
Andy Murray has given an assessment of his year and outlined his intent to have a “strong finish.”
-
Tennis News
‘Novak Djokovic is superior to Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in key area’, claims renowned coach
“All three have the main qualities but some are better than others in some areas.”
-
Tennis News
Emma Raducanu outlines her ‘ultimate dream’ for when she returns to tennis
Emma Raducanu has revealed what her “ultimate dream” is for when she is able to return to tennis.
-
Tennis News
Novak Djokovic recalls his favourite matches and the ‘highest level’ he has ever played at
Novak Djokovic has recalled some of the favourite matches he has played in his career
-
ATP Tour
Carlos Alcaraz confirms next event as he targets Novak Djokovic’s No 1 ranking
Alcaraz pulled out of Spain’s Davis Cup team due to fatigue, but he will be back next week in China.
-
Tennis News
Being teammates with Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic was ‘wonderful’ – Roger Federer
Roger Federer has hailed the Laver Cup “camaraderie” and appreciated being teammates with his great rivals.
-
Tennis News
Daniil Medvedev builds his perfect tennis player, ft. Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal
Daniil Medvedev has built his perfect tennis player, with Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and himself all featuring.