Coronavirus COVID-19 ATP & WTA Update – August 19th

Coronavirus COVID-19 ATP & WTA Update – August 19th

Although most of the focus has been on the NFL, NBA, and MLB, both the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) and the Association of Tennis Players have struggled to restart their seasons. So far, the WTA has had some luck while the ATP is holding out for the U.S. Open in late August and early September. Check out an update on where both leagues stand as of August 19 so you can set down your bets against their Tennis odds.

COVID-19 Tennis Update – August 19th Edition

Two huge women’s tennis stars will skip the U.S. Open

In recent days, tennis took a big blow to the midsection. Two of the top women’s tennis players in the world, Simona Halep and Bianca Andreescu, both withdrew from the U.S. Open.

Halep, who won Wimbledon last season, tweeted that she doesn’t want to travel to Flushing Meadows for the major tournament. Per Halep, she had always said she’d put her “health first”.

Simona also said that she weighed “all the factors involved” and that she preferred to stay and train in Europe.

Bianca Andreescu gave a different reason for her withdrawal from the major championship. Per Andreescu, she didn’t feel she had ample time to prepare for the U.S. Open. 

Bianca stated that because of the COVID-19 pandemic, she hasn’t had a chance to hit the courts since October. Even if she were able to play at the U.S. Open, there’s no way she’d be at one-hundred percent.

With Halep and Andreescu both out, the Women’s U.S. Open Tournament will offer underlay odds on Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka. 

Once odds are set, consider players other than Serena or Naomi. If you’re right, you could make a nice score.

Djokovic lone Big Three to play on men’s side

When men’s tennis players head to Flushing Meadows for the 2020 U.S. Open, Novak Djokovic will be the lone player among the Big Three. 

Rafael Nadal withdrew due to coronavirus concerns. Roger Federer mentioned the coronavirus, but the real reason FedEx won’t join Novak in New York is because he had a couple of knee surgeries late last year.

He won’t be in good enough shape to battle for a major title. In that respect, Roger’s reason o withdraw is more in line with Andreescu’s than Halep’s or Nadal’s.

Like what will happen with odds on Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka, the odds on Novak Djokovic should be well below fair. 

Trying to beat Novak, especially because no tennis player at the U.S. Open will have prepared the way they normally do, makes sense.

Which players can take down the great Djoker in Flushing Meadows? Think about putting dollars behind Daniil Medvedev, Alexander Zverev, Stefanos Tsitsipas, or Dominic Thiem.

Players like David Goffin, Fabio Fognini, and Matteo Berrettini could also have a shot.

The bottom line? Tennis will restart. The WTA already has while as long as Djokovic decides he wants to play, there’s no reason for the ATP not to have the U.S. Open.

Have a great rest of your week!