Grand Slam Favourites in 2015

Over the last decade, four men have dominated when it comes to Grand Slam tennis events. Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and to a lesser extent, Andy Murray are in a different league when it comes to the four major tournaments, and in the last five years, they have won 18 of the 20 Grand Slams that have taken place. With Federer now 33 years of age, and Rafael Nadal continuing to struggle with injuries, it may be that others stand a chance in upcoming events. While Novak Djokovic has already landed the first Slam of 2015 with his victory at the Australian Open, we could well see a first time Grand Slam winner at one of the three tournaments that remain this year. Players such as Kei Nishikori, Tomas Berdych and David Ferrer are all knocking on the door and there should definitely be more opportunities for those outside the big four in the coming months.

Bookmaker Betfair have some special markets on exactly how many Grand Slams will be won by the big four, and it's Novak Djokovic who is currently in the driving seat as far as those odds are concerned, with the Serbian available to back at a shade of odds on to end the current campaign with two Slams to his name. Djokovic has already taken the Australian Open, and the Betfair odds compilers feel that the world number one is more than likely to take another major title before the end of the season. Novak is 11/4 to win one Grand Slam, 3/2 to land two, 2/1 is available on Djokovic winning three, while the Serb going all the way at all four Grand Slams during 2015 is currently on offer at odds of 7/1.

Andy Murray once again finished runner-up at the recent Australian Open, but when you consider the struggle that the Scot has had with a back injury, the Murray camp can take plenty of encouragement from his run to the final. Andy Murray is currently a 2/5 chance not to win any of the three remaining Grand Slams this year, but he has previously been successful at both Wimbledon and the US Open and with those two tournaments still to come, the 15/8 on offer about Murray winning one Grand Slam title in 2015 could well be the more attractive bet. Murray will need to perform well before the clay court season starts if he is to overtake Rafa Nadal as world number three, with the Spaniard playing his best tennis on that particular surface. Nadal has looked a shadow of his former self since returning from a wrist injury, but may well be seen to better effect once the clay court matches begin in earnest, and would certainly have decent claims come the French Open. His chances are very much reflected in the Betfair specials market, with the sportsbook going 11/10 about the Olympic gold medalist winning one Grand Slam in 2015, while there is even money available for Rafael Nadal to end the season having won no Grand Slams.