Andy Murray Odds Slashed for Australian Open

Earlier this year, 3-time Grand Slam winner Andy Murray lost his opening match in the 2019 Australian Open against Spain’s Roberto Bautista, as his deteriorating hip took its toll and pain accompanied the Scot’s every move.  After a major operation to resurface his hip and extensive rehabilitation, Andy Murray is proving wrong those doomsayers who were predicting the end of his career, making the valedictory tributes paid to him at the 2019 Australian Open seem just a tad premature.  

After starting his comeback playing Doubles, Andy Murray has now played singles at four tournaments on the trot – Zhuhai, Beijing, Shanghai and, most recently, the European Open in Antwerp which he won.  Little wonder the odds for the 32-year old to win the 2020 Australian Open are shortening. Bookmakers Unibet , William Hill and Paddy Power are offering odds of 25/1 that he will lift the trophy next February, but the odds are as low as 16/1 from Bet365 and Betway.  Given his recent performances, the odds are continuing to be slashed by the online bookies, whose sports analysts recognise that the former World Number One is returning to the top echelons of the sport.

Andy Murray has drive and determination in spades but is not afraid to put his emotions on display.  After the despair of his Australian Open press conference last year, we have now seen tears of joy in Antwerp after his 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 defeat of Swiss Stan Wawrikina who, like Andy, holds three Grand Slam titles.  The Scot fought back from a set down and a break down to win the 2-hour 27-minute match, and his ATP ranking is now expected to rise from number 243 to number 127.  

The rankings reflect his lack of matches played his year, but not his inherent quality.  Mr Murray has won Wimbledon twice, the US Open and has two Olympic gold medals to boot. He would dearly love a tilt at the Australian Open once again.  He has been a finalist there five times, losing four of those times to the World Number One Novak Djokovic and once to Roger Federer. Could 2020 be his year?  We dearly hope so!