The end of August is quickly approaching, which is a big deal in the world of sports. In the coming weeks, football will be back, a WNBA champion will soon emerge, and most importantly, the end of August means we will be watching the legendary Serena Williams compete professionally for the final time as she announced she’ll retire after the upcoming U.S. Open.
Huge deal, obviously, as arguably the sport’s greatest player has a chance to ride off into the sunset with a seventh US Open championship. Will it be a storybook ending for Serena? Or is it best to bet on the field?
Here’s a look at some of the shortest odds at Tipico Sportsbook.
The Defending Champ
Emma Raducanu (+2000)
Since winning last year’s U.S. Open, 19-year-old Emma Raducanu has battled injuries. Whether it be COVID-19, a blister on her racquet hand or a leg injury, it’s been a less than an ideal year.
But let’s not forget that 12 months ago, Raducanu won the US Open championship at 18 years old WITHOUT dropping a single set throughout the tournament. Her odds (+2000) fall out of the top 5, but don’t be surprised if the defending champion makes a run.
The Favorite
Iga Swiatek (+220)
Swiatek had the best odds to win the 2022 Wimbledon but shockingly lost in the third round, snapping a 37-match winning streak.
Despite the loss, the 21-year-old Swiatek is still awesome. She is currently ranked the No. 1 women’s tennis player in the world and has two Grand Slams on her resume.
She’ll look to claim her first U,S. Open championship.
Contenders
Naomi Osaka (+600), Simona Halep (+1200), Coco Gauff (+1200)
If you remove Iga Swiatek from the equation, this is about as good as it gets as far as legitimate championship contenders go. Naomi Osaka already has two U.S. Open championships (2018, 2020) while Gauff and Halep are ranked in the top 15 women’s tennis players in the world.
Osaka’s experience and success at this particular tournament make her a threat to Swiatek, and the 18-year-old Gauff is only two months removed from a finals loss to Swiatek at the French Open.
Throw in Serena’s last dance and Raducanu’s win a year ago and you’ll realize that this tournament could go in a variety of ways.
Serena Williams
Serena Williams (+2000)
It’s been eight years since Serena last hoisted the championship trophy at the U.S. Open (2014). She’s been back to the championship round twice since then (2018, 2019) but has come up short both times.
For Williams to win, she’s going to have to dig deep. It was just over a month ago when she lost in the opening round at Wimbledon, which came on the heels of a year-long break in her career.
Now, looking for her 24th Grand Slam title and first since 2017, Williams (+2000) will have longshot odds to end her career with a bang.
