2014 Wimbledon Odds, Free Picks, Tips and Predictions: All England Club Favorites and Sleepers

2014 Wimbledon Odds, Free Picks, Tips and Predictions: All England Club Favorites and Sleepers: It has only been a few weeks since the French Open wrapped up, but the top tennis players in the world must already turn their attention to the next major of the 2014 season. The Championships, Wimbledon begins Monday at the All England Club in London, and the world’s oldest tennis tournament is considered by many to be the most prestigious of the four majors. It is also the only major tournament to feature a natural grass surface, and handling the speedy but slick surface requires a unique approach. Winning any major is special, but there is something a little bit different about taking the title at Wimbledon.

The Favorites

Top-seeded Novak Djokovic has been a consistent contender at Wimbledon the last several seasons and a consistent factor at all the major tournaments. He has reached the semifinals in his last four trips to the All England Club, winning in 2011 and reaching the title match last year. Meanwhile, Djokovic has advanced to the semis in 15 of the last 16 major tournaments. He should make a run at a second Wimbledon title in 2014.

Defending Wimbledon champ Andy Murray ended a 77-year drought for British-born players at the All England Club last year, and he has a great shot at making it back-to-back titles in 2014. After all, he has at least reached the semifinals of the tournament the past five seasons, reaching the title match in each of the past two seasons. Overall, he has a stout 37-7 record at the All England Club so Murray clearly thrives on the energy the home crowd always provides.  

Other Contenders

He is a two-time Wimbledon winner and is coming off his ninth French Open title, but Rafael Nadal is not lock to make a deep run at the All England Club. After all, he was bounced in the second round in 2012 and was upset in the first round of last year’s tournament. The physical wear and tear that it takes on Nadal to win at Roland Garros could play a factor in his early exits at Wimbledon, but on the other hand, he has reached the title match of the last three majors, winning twice. Counting out Nadal would be more than foolish.

Although he has won a record seven titles at the All England Club, Roger Federer just isn’t the same dominant player that reeled off five straight Wimbledon crowns from 2003 to 2007. In fact, he has lost in the quarterfinals or earlier at the tournament three times in the last four years. On the flip side, Federer’s 2012 Wimbledon title is prove that he can never be counted out, and his victory at a grass court tune-up tournament last week added to his record-setting resume on the surface. Federer can never be counted out at the All England Club, but he has lost just a bit of his edge.

The Sleepers

In 2010, Thomas Berdych went all the to the championship match at Wimbledon, taking out Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer in the process. Granted, he has yet to replicate the success, but he has reached the fourth rounds twice in the last three years at Wimbledon, making it to the quarterfinals last season. Thanks to his 6’5″ frame, Berdych has a powerful serve. When he is able to serve consistently, he has the ability to control matches on any surface, especially grass. Berdych will have to be on top of his game, but he has shown in the past that he can make a run at the All England Club if he is playing his best.

Wimbledon is the only major tournament that Jo-Wilfried Tsonga has reached the semifinals at twice in his career. In fact, he has advanced to the semis twice in the last three years. Meanwhile, his overall grass court record is 35-14 so there is little doubt that grass is Tsonga’s best surface. If he is going to capture a major title, it figures to come at the All England Club where he already owns victories over some high-profile opponents, including seven-time Wimbledon champ Roger Federer.