Despite an illustrious career that included 32 titles and winning the US Open, Betway Global Tennis Ambassador, Andy Roddick never quite managed to win Wimbledon. However, this year Andy has finally achieved Wimbledon glory. The American tennis ace’s long awaited win was far from the curated Centre Court of SW19, as he claimed victory 4,085 miles away on the centre (and only) court of Wimbledon, North Dakota.
12 years after the former World No.1 retired, leading global online betting and gaming brand, Betway, decided it was time to give Roddick the advantage he needed to get his hands on a Wimbledon trophy. With the brand launching a campaign to set-up a tournament in Wimbledon, North Dakota – a rural community in the heart of midwestern America with a population of just 144 people.
Although, unlike his experiences playing in the British Grand Slam, Andy had to do more than just play his way to victory. With the tennis pro instead finding himself building his own Centre Court, recruiting his own opponents from within the local community and even explaining the tournament rules to them.
Competing against real locals, unsurprisingly Andy breezed through his seven matches to finally be crowned ‘Wimbledon Champion (North Dakota)’ in what is sure to be the easiest, yet equally strangest tournament of his career.
However, Roddick isn’t the only one who is being served the advantage this summer as the tennis ace has given his insights with his top five predictions on this year’s tournament.
Andy Roddick’s Top Five Wimbledon 2024 Predictions:
Alcaraz and Sinner are co-favourites
I’m not too concerned about Alcaraz not winning Queen’s. In the vacuum of winning Roland Garros, he probably took a week off, showed up at Queen’s to get a couple of matches and got served off the court by Jack Draper, who’s certainly capable. But I don’t think less of his chances because of that.
I was really impressed with Sinner in Halle, especially with the way he was able to move. You have to be a little bit more careful, traditionally, on grass, run through some shots. You don’t see people playing an open stance and stop, start as much. He was making moves, cutting in and out of the courts, recovery shots, sliding into some shots. I was very impressed.
Amazing Novak Djokovic might play
If Novak Djokovic is fully fit and ready, he’s probably the favourite on grass, but obviously, we just don’t know where he’s at. He might not even know where he’s at. I do think there’s a difference between practice and being ready to play three out of five-set matches. He said himself that he’s not really interested in playing if he doesn’t think he can win the tournament. I would be shocked if he was at full fitness, but I guess bet against the greats at your own peril.
Jack Draper one for the future
Wins against people like Alcaraz excite people but you make a career by beating people you’re supposed to beat, making good decisions, making sure that your fitness is there all the time. The potential is easy to see, when you can serve 135mph at spots, as a lefty, that’s half the battle. I don’t want to analyse his chances in a slam without worrying if his body holds up, especially in extreme conditions. I hope it’s there now. In the past, I don’t think it has been. But the upside is tremendous.
Iga Swiatek vulnerable on grass
Iga’s gonna be one of the best women players of all time. If you put her numbers up against the greats of all time, she’s entering some pretty rarefied air. But as well as her game fits the clay, the challenges are that obvious on grass. Couple that with the fact that her elite contemporaries all like the grass – looking at Elena Rybakina, Aryna Sabalenka, Jess Pegula, Coco Gauff, Ons Jabeur – so I don’t think she’s a big favourite.
Sabalenka the best bet
Aryna Sabalenka pulled out last week but it sounded more like fatigue. Jess Pegula’s game is phenomenal for grass. Coco is certainly in the conversation. Rybakina is dominant on serve, as we saw a couple of years ago. Sabalenka is probably the one I’d want to bet against the least, given all the question marks around the others.
Chad Yeomans, Betway spokesperson said: “Despite a decorated career in tennis, Andy never quite got his hands on the Wimbledon trophy, even though he reached the final three times. That’s why we contacted the incredible town of Wimbledon, North Dakota to design a tournament that could possibly help Andy achieve tennis glory. We are really thankful to Andy and all involved in bringing this fun idea to fruition’
Andy Roddick, Betway Global Tennis Ambassador and Wimbledon North Dakota champion, said: “Wimbledon has always been a special tournament to me and one I’ve dreamed of winning. I am absolutely honoured to be able to finally call myself a Wimbledon (North Dakota) Champion… And to the people of Wimbledon who helped make it happen, this one is for you.”
Carol Peterson, Wimbledon North Dakota resident: “Honestly, we were all a little confused as to why Andy Roddick wanted to come here, we’re not really a tennis town. Saying that, we’re all very happy we could help him win his little trophy, it seemed to mean a lot to him.”
