The Leading Contenders for the 2014 Wimbledon Championship

This year’s Wimbledon Championship is almost upon us and the usual suspects will be lining up to try and capture the men’s title. Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray and Roger Federer are the top four seeds for this year’s tournament and they also dominate the betting market at Betfair. The bookmaker have put last year’s runner up Novak Djokovic in as their 7/4 favourite, while last year’s Champion Andy Murray can be backed at odds of 3/1. Nadal is a 4/1 chance, while Federer is a point bigger at 5s. There is then a big jump to the fifth favourite Stanislas Wawrinka who is available at 10/1. Betfair obviously feel that the winner is going to come from the top four seeds and that is no surprise when you consider these players have taken the previous 11 Wimbledon Championships. Let’s take a look at these legends of the game in closer detail and see who has the strongest chance of winning the 2014 renewal.

Novak Djokovic – Odds 7/4
The current world number two last won the Wimbledon title in 2011 and will be keen to make amends for his straight sets defeat at the hands of Andy Murray last year. Djokovic recently lost in the final of the French Open to key rival Rafael Nadal but he should hold the edge on the Spaniard when it comes to the grass court. The draw should see Nadal and Djokovic meet in the final once again but it might not be that straightforward.

Andy Murray – Odds 3/1
Defending champion Andy Murray had a great run in the French Open, reaching the semi final on a surface which he is not too keen. That was arguably Murray’s best performance since returning from back surgery and he has since appointed Amelie Mauresmo as his coach for the grass court season. The Scott appears to be returning to the form that saw him take the 2013 Wimbledon championship and he is the player they all have to beat.

Rafael Nadal – Odds 4/1
Rafael Nadal is the reigning world number one and created history by winning his ninth French Open title this past Sunday. Rafa is arguably the best cay court player of all time and although grass would not be his optimum surface, Nadal has taken the Wimbledon title on two previous occasions and reached the final on three others. The last two years, Nadal has suffered shock exits however and he will be looking to improve on that this time around.

Roger Federer – Odds 5/1
While he may now be 32 years old, Roger Federer is still proving to be a force in world tennis. Federer has won the Wimbledon Title on seven separate occasions and his run to the semi final of this year’s Australian Open shows he can still mix it at the very highest level. The grass court is undoubtedly where Roger Federer thrives and he is sure to come in for plenty of support at odds of 5/1 with Betfair.