The Australian Open marks the exhilarating commencement of the Grand Slam tennis season, with Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka topping the charts as the frontrunners to seize tournament glory in 2025.
As reported by BetMGM, the reputable online sportsbook, Sinner, the reigning world No. 1, stands as the +115 favorite to clinch the men’s title. Arriving in Melbourne with unparalleled momentum, Sinner faces a curious backdrop; the tennis community is rife with speculation regarding potential sanctions related to two failed drug tests from 2024.
While Sinner admits the testing outcomes have been emotionally challenging, he showcased an impressive 2024 season, bagging eight titles and winning 73 of 79 matches. Bettors remain optimistic about his ability to maintain this stellar performance amidst the surrounding distractions.
On the other hand, tennis icon Novak Djokovic, once the favorite to claim his record 25th Grand Slam title, has slipped to a +550 third choice following his early exit at a preparatory tournament in Brisbane. Djokovic experienced a challenging last season, marking the first time since 2017 that he did not win a major championship.
Carlos Alcaraz is now positioned as the second favorite at +350. The 21-year-old former world No. 1 seeks his fifth Grand Slam title, and a victory in Melbourne would grant him a career Grand Slam.
A staggering two-thirds of the wagers placed at BetMGM for the men’s Australian Open winner have been directed toward Sinner, highlighting the faith bettors have in him.
Turning to the women’s division, Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek are viewed as the primary challengers to Aryna Sabalenka, who comes in as the favorite at +225 after her consecutive Australian Open victories in 2023 and 2024. Sabalenka, now at the pinnacle of her game, is coming off a remarkable 2024 season where she triumphed in 18 of 19 Grand Slam matches, making her the first top seed in a major tournament.
Swiatek, a former world No. 1 and now eyeing her sixth Grand Slam, is situated at +450 as the third choice at BetMGM. Recently, she endured a one-month suspension related to a banned substance, claimed to have originated from a contaminated over-the-counter medication. This has led to skepticism from bettors regarding her ability to reclaim her previous form.
Coco Gauff, the 2023 U.S. Open champion, is currently a +400 second choice for the Australian Open title. With a recent victory over Swiatek, Gauff has demonstrated significant improvement under her new coaching team from last fall. However, the tournament draw suggests a potential semifinal clash against Sabalenka, requiring the young American to potentially overcome both the current and former world No. 1s on her path to victory.
On the Canadian front, the top seeds include No. 29 Felix Auger-Aliassime, currently a +10000 longshot at BetMGM, and No. 30 Leylah Fernandez at +15000. Auger-Aliassime kicked off his season on a high note, securing a spot in the finals at the Adelaide International.
Completing the Canadian representation are Rebecca Marino, Denis Shapovalov, and Gabriel Diallo, all eager to make their mark in this prestigious tournament.
