As the 2024 Wimbledon Championships commence at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, the spotlight is on the top contenders in the women's singles draw. Among the favorites like Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, and Elena Rybakina, one name stands out as a potential sleeper: Ons Jabeur. With odds priced between +1200 and +1500 across the industry, and most valuable at +1500 on FanDuel, Jabeur could be the dark horse ready to make her mark.
The reigning Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka leads the odds at +320. She is closely followed by world No. 1 Iga Swiatek at +350, who is on a 19-match winning streak and has lost just four matches this year. Despite her impressive form, Swiatek has never won a grass-court tournament, with her best Wimbledon performance being a quarterfinal finish last year. Elena Rybakina, priced at +500, is a past Wimbledon champion, having defeated Jabeur in the 2022 final. Rybakina's powerful serve and consistent performance make her a strong contender. American sensation Coco Gauff, at +650, and Naomi Osaka, at +1300, round out the top five in consensus odds.
Ons Jabeur, currently priced at +1500, has come agonizingly close to winning Wimbledon in the past two years. The Tunisian star has finished runner-up twice, falling short to Rybakina in 2022 and to Marketa Vondrousova in 2023. Despite these heartbreaks, Jabeur remains a formidable force on grass.
Jabeur's journey has not been without its challenges. Her recent retirement in the quarterfinal against Gauff in Berlin due to injury raises concerns, but if she is fit, her +1500 odds could prove to be highly valuable. Jabeur's determination to make history as the first Arab and African woman to win Wimbledon fuels her drive, making her a compelling pick for this year's tournament.
The emotional toll of her past Wimbledon defeats cannot be understated. Jabeur's loss in the 2023 final was particularly devastating, as it dashed her dreams of starting a family with her husband, Karim. The emotional fallout was profound, with Jabeur and her husband "crying like babies" over the lost opportunity, per Wimbledon.com. Despite the heartbreak, Jabeur has chosen to channel her disappointment into motivation.
"My feelings about Wimbledon got even stronger after last year," Jabeur said, per the tournament website. "After that experience, winning Wimbledon has become even more of a challenge. I had to choose between staying disappointed or switching to a more positive mindset to motivate myself to come back and win it."
Jabeur's passion for Wimbledon is evident in her preparation and mindset. She often envisions herself playing on the Wimbledon grass, even when competing on other surfaces. "I never stop thinking about Wimbledon all year," she said. "For me, I’m always thinking about Wimbledon and always trying to adjust my game to play better and be better on the grass."
Her connection to Wimbledon goes beyond the court. Jabeur loves the tournament's atmosphere, the support from the crowd, and the feeling of playing on grass. "The crowd is unbelievable and they support you no matter what. I feel so loved at Wimbledon," she shared.
Jabeur's path to potential victory at Wimbledon this year involves overcoming top players like Swiatek, Sabalenka, and Gauff. However, her past performances and current form suggest she has what it takes to go all the way. With her focus on peaking at Wimbledon, Jabeur is determined to finally lift the Venus Rosewater Dish.
For bettors looking for value, Jabeur's +1500 odds are attractive, especially considering her strong performances and deep runs in previous years. As the tournament unfolds, Ons Jabeur could well be the story of Wimbledon 2024, making it third time's a charm for the talented Tunisian.