Wimbledon Championship men's tips and preview: Back Jannik Sinner to get the job done in SW19

The biggest event in the tennis calendar is synonymous with queueing chaos, curfew controversy and of course, Pimms. 

For a long time Carlos Alcaraz was the betting favourite to retain a title he won in such thrilling fashion in 2023.

However, the reigning French Open champion bombed at Queen’s recently, and it all means new World No 1 Jannik Sinner is the marginal betting favourite for the men’s event.

Betting sharps out there will know I napped Sinner at a huge 14/1 on these very pages back in December, and if you got on the Italian at that price, you’ll probably have a smile as wide as the Rome Colosseum right now.

Sinner is a 7/4 shout with Planet Sport Bet at time of writing (with Alacaraz next up at 2/1) and it’s easy to see why the bookies want them both onside.

Grass is so suited to Alcaraz’s game because he can improvise, be flexible, be physical and show the extraordinary variety in his game.

Having won a five-set thriller in last year’s final he also has the confidence as someone who now knows how to get it done here.

He is the very definition of an all-court player having now won majors on hardcourt (US Open), grass (Wimbledon) and clay (Roland Garros).

However, I have fancied Sinner to get it done here for absolutely ages and am not about to change my mind now.

I genuinely could not believe how hard he was hitting the ball at the French Open. His power is insane and it will look even more lethal on the ultra-quick grass courts of SW19. 
 
He’s really improved his movement in and out of the corners also. The way he was sliding in and out of the corners at Roland Garros, and how dominant he looked in Halle recently, suggests he is going to take all the beating.  

He is not as expressive – or indeed as popular - as Alcaraz, but he is super talented and that huge serve is going to win him a ton of cheap points over the next few weeks.

And what of Novak Djokovic? 

It took Alcaraz five pulsating sets to prise Djokovic’s hands away from the Wimbledon trophy he had lifted four times off the belt last July, but in typical Djokovic fashion he simply dusted himself down and went on to dominate the rest of the season.

The Serb though has had a terrible 2024 to date. Injury and poor form has meant he has yet to win a title of any description so far this season, and his participation here was a major doubt after recently having surgery on a torn meniscus.

However, the GOAT came through a practice match with Sinner on Centre Court on Thursday and said afterwards that he is “feeling good”.

He definitely has the will and the skill to win here again, but at the age of 37 and given what we know it would take a huge leap of faith to get with him at odds of 4/1 or thereabouts.

In terms of an each-way play at fancy prices, Matteo Berrettini is one of the most dangerous unseeded players in the men's draw as he continues his return from injury.

The Italian is only 28 and is a former finalist at Wimbledon, having lost in four sets to Djokovic in 2021. 

He has a clubbing forehand and powerful serve, and really looks at home on this type of terrain. Indeed four of his eight career titles have come on grass, including two at Queen's Club.

At 33/1 with Planet Sport Bet, he is worth a peanut play. However when the dust settles and the last Pimms is sunk, I fully expect Sinner to be the last man standing.

Wimbledon suggested bets:

Jannik Sinner to win the Wimbledon

Matteo Berrettini (each-way) to win the Wimbledon