Could COVID-19 Knockout Tennis Players With Shortest U.S. Open Odds?

• Novak Djokovic was favored to win the US Open with +150 odds.
• Rafael Nadal wasn’t far behind with +350 odds to win the US Open.
• On the woman’s side, Ashleigh Barty has already withdrawn from the competition.

NEW YORK—With the US Open set to take place at the end of the month, there have been some growing concerns and rumors about which players will and will not be participating.

Three-time Grand Slam winner and US Open participant, Andy Murray, has recently come out saying that there have been rumors swirling about some top players dropping out after Ashleigh Barty withdrew from the women’s tournament.

“The Ash Barty withdrawal, I think we will see it quite a bit—I have heard some of the top male players aren’t going to play. I would expect that would be the case. It’s everyone’s personal decision. If they don’t feel safe and don’t feel comfortable traveling and going there and putting themselves and their team at an increased risk, then it’s completely understandable. All of the players will have some reservations and it’s whether or not you feel comfortable taking that risk. Like I said the other day, my feeling is once we are inside that bubble they created, we will be OK. It’s more the international travel and getting there which I will be a bit concerned about,” said Murray.

Legal sports betting sites could see a huge shift in the odds here if some big-name players do end up sitting out. The number one player in the world right now and current favorite to win the US Open, Novak Djokovic, has already had a run-in with COVID-19 as he tested positive back in June and has expressed his concern with participating here.

Rafael Nadal, who was second on the US Open odds board has also expressed the same concern and doubts about playing as well.

If both Djokovic and Nadal were to sit this one out, it would slam the door wide open for Roger Federer who was at +600 odds to win the US Open and bettors would then have an easy choice for some easy money.

At the moment, many online sportsbooks have taken down odds for the U.S. Open, presumably because of their own uncertainty for who will be competing. The U.S. Open will take place from August 31 to September 13. Oddsmakers are expected to release U.S. Open odds closer to the start date.

News tags: Andy Murray | Ashleigh Barty | Coronavirus | COVID-19 | Novak Djokovic | Rafael Nadal | Roger Federer | tennis | US Open