Time comes for every great athlete. The time has finally come for Serena Williams to hang up her racket.
She announced that this year’s US Open will be her final tournament. It is the location of many of her greatest triumphs as a tennis player and it seems fitting that she will go out in front of the adoring crowd in New York.
Let’s take a look at how her retirement announcement has affected the WTA odds.
The Legacy of Serena Williams
Records Speak by Themselves
Serena Williams is arguably the greatest tennis player ever to pick up a racket.
- She has won 23 Grand Slams, the most in the Open Era.
- She has won the most Grand Slam titles on a hardcourt, a record number 13.
- She is currently tied with Chris Evert for the most titles won at the US Open, at 6.
- She has the record for most women’s singles matches won at majors at 365 wins.
- She has won the most Majors after the age of 30 at 10.
- She won the WTA finals five times.
- She is one of three players to win Olympic gold medals in both singles and doubles at the same Olympic Games.
- She is the only player to accomplish a career Golden Slam in both singles and doubles.
- She won three different Grand Slam titles without even losing a set.
Life After Motherhood
After returning to the tour as a mother, Serena threatened four times to capture a Grand Slam title but fell short in each endeavor. She made the finals of Wimbledon and the US Open in 2018 and 2019, cruising through the tournament up until the point and entering the final as the favorite.
However, each time she was defeated and her dreams of a record 24th Grand Slam title fell short. This season has been her worst.
She is 1-3 this year, with her lone win being over Nuria Parrizas-Diaz in the first round of the Toronto event. Her most recent loss was at the Cincinnati hard court event, where she was defeated by last year’s US Open champion Emma Raducanu, 6-4, 6-0. She clearly is not the same player at age 41, and the retirement announcement seems appropriate.
Sportsbooks’ Tribute
- Serena Williams to Win the US Open (+2500)
At 25 to 1, the best sportsbooks have hoped to put up a number to entice fans of Serena Williams to put up one last effort to win her 24th Grand Slam.
Unfortunately, nothing we have seen from Williams indicates that she will be able to do this in a WTA field that is littered with depth at the moment.
Never has there been more money in women’s tennis, and top female athletes from around the world are flocking to the most lucrative sport for women to play.
Who Are the US Open Contenders?
Emma Raducanu
The level of talent and athletic ability is unprecedented in the current WTA.
Emma Raducanu, last year’s US Open champion, proved this point with her thorough dismantling of Serena Williams. Also, Raducanu has not been playing that well lately, she even has farther odds than Serena Williams at 40 to 1.
Leylah Fernandez
Last year’s finalist Leylah Fernandez, is also priced higher than Williams at 30 to 1.
Amanda Anisimova
Fellow American Amanda Anisimova is at 25 to 1 and is a much better bet than the sentimental stab that Williams’ fans might make.
Iga Swiatek
Currently, Iga Swiatek is the favorite at 2 to 1 to win the US Open. Swiatek has been the clear-cut best player on tour this year with the sudden retirement of Ash Barty.
Swiatek absolutely crushed clay court season, and did fairly well on grass, although that is not the best surface for her. The slow courts at the US Open will accentuate Swiatek’s skill set, and the oddsmakers will not allow value in a Swiatek wager.
I’m sure they will have plenty of Swiatek liability by the time the tournament’s first ball is hit into play.
Simona Halep
Simona Halep at 8 to 1 is an interesting pick. Halep has been playing some of her best tennis as of late and is actually using Serena Williams’s former coach Patrick Mouratoglou.
Halep has the defensive ability and Grand Slam pedigree to be considered the second favorite, and at 8 to 1 is a very attractive option when looking at the US Open outright field.
Naomi Osaka
Naomi Osaka is sitting at 10 to 1, and I have no interest at all in placing a wager on the four-time Grand Slam winner.
Osaka has not been playing tennis on a consistent schedule as of late, and her skills and commitment to the sport have been waning.
Osaka is another one in which casual fans might be tempted because of her previous success, but she does not have the current level of training, fitness, or commitment to be considered a credible threat.
Coco Gauff
Young American Coco Gauff, the heir apparent to be the top American women’s tennis player, is at 11 to 1.
Gauff has a great chance to do well here. Unfortunately, she rolled her ankle this week in Cincinnati so we will have to keep an eye on her health before placing this wager.
Is Serena Williams Worth a Bet?
As fun as it would be to see Serena Williams pull one last tournament win out, it is a waste of money to try and back her to win this tournament. She will go out with her adoring fans giving her the credit that she deserves, but unfortunately it will be an early-round exit.
Players such as Simona Halep and Coco Gauff are much better tennis picks to win this tournament. So, let Serena go out to the sunset, enjoy the spectacle, but keep your money in your pocket and do not bet Serena to win the US Open.
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