Champion Barbora Krejcikova biggest underdog in 50 years

A quick word of advice to anyone betting on the Wimbledon women’s draw next year: avoid the favorites and just throw darts on long-shots.

What else could the takeaway be after yet another unpredictable fortnight at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club saw Barbora Krejcikova defeat Jasmine Paolini on Saturday afternoon in front of a star-studded crowd?

Krejcikova, the No. 31 seed, took down No. 7 Paolini in three sets (6-2, 2-6, 6-4) to win her second grand slam after claiming the 2021 French Open. While Krejcikova (-135) may have been a slight favorite before the championship match began, the native of the Czech Republic was anything but entering the tournament.

A dream realised ✨

Barbora Krejcikova is a #Wimbledon singles champion for the first time, defeating Jasmine Paolini 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 🇨🇿 🏆 pic.twitter.com/k15QgL7Buz

— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 13, 2024

After the bracket came out, BetMGM opened Krejcikova’s outright odds at +12500. Only 1.9 percent of all money wagered on the women’s singles winner was placed on Krejcikova.

Those betters are probably feeling like champions themselves now after Krejcikova became the biggest underdog to win Wimbledon since at least 1974, which is as far back as the Sports Odds History database goes.

As the women’s side of the bracket devolved into chaos thanks to relatively early losses by favorites Coco Gauff, Naomi Osaka, Madison Keys and Danielle Collins, things started to line up for Krejcikova. The Wimbledon title seemed legitimately in reach once Emma Navarro, Elena Rybakina and Iga Swiatek were bounced.

Wimbledon has now crowned eight consecutive different women’s singles champions and the last two before Krejcikova, Marketa Vondrousova in 2023 and Rybakina in 2022 each began the tournament at +10000.

In fact, before Krejcikova’s win on Saturday, Vondrousova and Rybakina were tied with Marion Bartoli (2013) for the longest pre-tournament odds by an eventual champion. Prior to 2013, the biggest long-shot to win Wimbledon was Maria Sharapova (+5000) in 2004.

Women’s tennis is in an incredible spot right now with remarkable talent on every court. Keep that in mind the next time you get ready to bet on a grand slam.