Wimbledon 2023: Federer commentating, the latest odds and how to bet
Witnessing Roger Federer walk away from the game of tennis for good in 2022 was a tough sight for many tennis fans around the world. The 20-time Grand Slam champion had been an ever-present on the international tour for longer than two decades and possessed the rare ability to forge a connection with supporters through his gracious conduct on the court.
Yes, winning was important but it never came at the expanse of sportsmanship which was a trait that set him apart from the rest of his competitors. Essentially, this is why the Swiss legend is recognized as the most popular player to have ever played the game and also why his absence in the sport was keenly felt when he announced his retirement.
That was, at least, until reports emerged that Federer was negotiating a deal to for the BBC. This development will be enthusiastically welcomed by tennis supporters around the world and will give fans a chance to listen to the observations of one of the greats of all time.
What will Federer bring to the commentary booth?
Statistically speaking, there isn’t a men’s player on the planet that is more qualified to commentate on Wimbledon than Federer as the 41-year-old has won a record eight titles at the All England Club. Naturally, this means that Federer will offer unrivaled insight into the goings-on at SW19.
On top of that, Federer has a rich history when it comes to playing in Grand Slams finals and will be able to shed light on the all-important phycological strength that is needed as the tournament gets to the latter stages.
The reality is that you don’t win 20 Grand Slams without possessing an astonishing amount of mental fortitude which suggests that viewers will be treated to a compelling breakdown of the psychological challenges that players face when within touching distance of greatness.
On that note, eagle eye fans will be aware that the 2023 showdown in London could be a defining moment in the history of tennis as both Novak Djokovic and Rafa Nadal sit on 22 Grand Slam wins each.
heading to dinner with some friends @RafaelNadal@andy_murray@DjokerNolepic.twitter.com/2oYR3hnGaZ
— Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) September 22, 2022
In the right circumstances, we could have a situation where Federer is calling the action as one of his old rivals takes a step toward being crowned the greatest of all time; a race that Federer only dropped out of last year.
Who could win?
— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) January 29, 2023
At 11/10, the Serb, who is also the defending champion, is the outright favourite to win Wimbledon in 2023 while Nadal is at 17/2.
There is clear daylight between those two odds but the desire to win the most Grand Slams could drive the Spaniard on to produce a vintage performance.
How to bet on Wimbledon in the UK and the US?
As the race to be recognized as the men’s player to have won the most Grand Slams enters the final stretch, there will be global attention on the betting markets as prices are allocated to each player.
While online sports betting in places like the United Kingdom is legal, there are still regions in the US that haven’t legalized it yet. However, one place where tennis fans in America can enjoy unrestricted online sports betting is the Pelican State. This page, which lists some of the best Louisiana sports betting promo offers, including welcome bonuses from DraftKings, BetMGM, and FanDuel, is another indication of the unlimited access tennis enthusiasts have when it comes to sports wagering in the state.
Very happy to be back playing after all this months… and winning
— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) January 9, 2022
@AustralianOpen#AustralianOpen#Melbournepic.twitter.com/EEul5FfJhE
Needless to say, fans can use these bonuses to bet on the 136th edition of the Wimbledon championship which will take place in July.
The Federer factor
With Federer on commentary duty, the third Grand Slam of the year could be the most watched in 2023. In particular, with the narrative focusing on the tussle between his two old foes, this could be a Grand Slam battle royale for the ages.
