Odds to Win the 2009 French Open
Rafael Nadal's odds to win the 2009 French Open were listed at -275 at Sportingbet.com (US customers are prohibited). The risk would require a US$275 bet to win US$100 (US$375 is returned should he win the 2009 French Open).
Sky Sports proclaims Nadal "Just perfect for Paris"....or was that Nadal himself making that proclamation?
"I am very happy about my clay-court season, very happy," the said.
"Winning in Monte Carlo, Barcelona and Rome and reaching the final in Madrid makes it an almost perfect clay-court season.
"I am very happy with how I have been playing. And it's always a pleasure playing at Roland Garros - coming back here gives me a special sensation."
Roger Federer looks like the man to beat once again and his odds to win the 2009 French Open featured quite the enticing payout of US$550 for every US$100 bet, making him Gambling911.com's "best bet" in this event.
Federer is the player with the most to gain at this year's French Open, writes Peter Bodo of ESPN.com.
"Federer is playing for what surely would be universal acclaim as The Greatest of All Time if he were to win the French Open. He wouldn't have to hit another ball for the rest of his life (or at least until Nadal begins to close on his record-matching 14 Grand Slam singles titles).
"We all know the line of reasoning: By winning Roland Garros, Federer would not only complete a career Grand Slam -- something only five men have accomplished, Andre Agassi being the latest -- he would equal Pete Sampras' record of 14 major singles titles."
"You realise that if you play him the right way, you can beat him," he said of his arch-rival.
"Each year he wins 40 matches on clay and you never defeat him, you can be a bit pessimistic. But I realise that if I play well, there is an opportunity there.
"But it's an extraordinary record he (Nadal) holds. I have great respect for what he has achieved."
Federer faces Spaniard Alberto Martin in the opening round.
Beyond Nadal and Federer there is Novak Djokovic (with a payout potential of US$800 for every US$100 bet) and Andrew Murray, who won the 2008 US Open but had difficulties in Australia. The great news here is that Murray would pay out US$2000 for every US$100 bet.
Djokovic feels he has what it takes to clinch the French Open at the expense of the world number one.
"I have not seen the match, but they told me he (Nadal) wasn't moving quite well. I mean, obviously because of the long match we had played the day before," Djokovic said.
Djokovic is the 2008 Australian Open winner, making him a great value at +800 odds.
Fernando Verdasco would pay US$2500 for every US$100 bet.
Odds to win the 2009 French Open appear below for the top contending players. Sportingbet.com has odds on most other players as well.
Nadal, Rafael
-275
Federer, Roger
+550
Djokovic, Novak
+800
Murray, Andrew
+2000
Verdasco, Fernando
+2500
Del Potro, Juan Marin
+6600
Gonzalez, Fernando
+8000
Davydenko, Nikola
+10000
Ferrer, David
+10000
Berdych, Tomas
+20000
Chardy, Jeremy
+20000
Cilic, Marin
+20000
Kohlschreiber, Philipp
+20000
Monaco, Juan
+20000
Robredo, Tommy
+20000
Roddick, Andy
+20000
Simon, Gilles
+20000
Stepanek, Radek
+20000
Tsonga, Jo-Wilfried
+20000
Wawrinka, Stasnislas
+20000
Youzhny, Mikhail
+20000
More 2009 French Open betting odds available at Sportingbet.com
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Alistair Prescott, Gambling911.com
