Wimbledon 2022: Medvedev, Sabalenka Set for Tournament Ban

Due to Russia’s continued invasion of Ukraine, many sports and tournaments have taken the step of banning or sanctioning Russian and Belarusian athletes and teams from competing. And according to reports, Wimbledon will be next on that list.

Previously, Russia and Belarus were already suspended from the Davis Cup (the top team competition in men’s tennis) and the Billie Jean King Cup (the top team competition in women’s tennis).

However, Russian and Belarusian tennis players have still been allowed to compete at ATP, WTA, and ITF events as individuals but not under the flag of either country.

But while players from those countries still look set for next month’s French Open and the US Open later in late summer, they will not take part at the All England Club this year.

Yesterday, it was revealed that Wimbledon will be the first Grand Slam tournament to take the step of not allowing Russian and Belarusian players to compete.

Tournament Contenders Medvedev and Sabalenka Top List of Singles Absences

As a result of this decision, 2021 US Open champion Daniil Medvedev, the world’s second-ranked men’s singles player, will not be at the tournament.

Also, the following singles players will be absent:

• #8 Andrey Rublev (Russia)
• #26 Karen Khachanov (Russia)
• #30 Aslan Karatsev (Russia)
• #44 Ilya Ivashka (Belarus)

On the women’s side, several notable singles players will be barred. That list is led by Belarusians Aryna Sabalenka (#4) and two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka (#18), along with Russians Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (#15)

Other women’s singles players on the list include the following top-50 players:

• #26 Daria Kasatkina (Russia)
• #29 Veronika Kudermetova (Russia)
• #31 Liudmila Samsonova (Russia)
• #39 Ekaterina Alexandrova (Russia)
• #50 Aliaksandra Sasnovich (Belarus)

Women’s Doubles Draw Also to be Affected by Impending Bans

While no Russians or Belarusians are in the top men’s doubles teams, two top women’s doubles players are from Russia.

Kudermetova currently ranks fourth in women’s doubles and forms the top-ranked duo in the WTA Doubles Race with Elise Mertens.

Also, Vera Zvonareva forms part of the fifth-ranked doubles duo with Laura Siegemund.

What Do the Potential Bans Mean for Tournament Odds?

Medvedev is currently the second favorite to win the Wimbledon men’s singles title, behind favorite, reigning champion, and world number one Novak Djokovic.

At Wimbledon in 2021, Medvedev reached the fourth round, where he lost to Hubert Hurkacz in five sets. He lost the final two sets, but he had his best finish at the tournament.

Khachanov also had a career-best finish, reaching the quarters, where he lost to Denis Shapovalov. Also, Rublev and Ivashka both reached the fourth round, losing to Marton Fucsovics and Matteo Berrettini, respectively.

Sabalenka, meanwhile, is currently the second favorite to win the Wimbledon women’s singles title, behind favorite Naomi Osaka.

Last year, Sabalenka, the #2 seed in 2021, lost in the semis to Karolina Pliskova. She won the first set 7-5 but lost the last two 4-6, 4-6 to bow out to the #8 seed.

The only other Russian or Belarusian women’s singles player to make the fourth last year was Samsonova. She made the draw as a wild card and defeated Kaia Kanepi, Jessica Pegula, and Sloane Stephens before losing to Pliskova in the fourth round.

Below, we list the latest men’s and women’s singles odds for this year’s Wimbledon tournament.

Odds are as of Wednesday, April 20 and are from BetOnline Sportsbook. Only players with odds shorter than +10000 are listed, and players in bold are set to be banned.

Wimbledon 2022 Men’s Singles Odds

Tournament Favorites and Top Contenders

• Novak Djokovic +100
• Daniil Medvedev +700
• Matteo Berrettini +750
• Rafael Nadal +950
• Stefanos Tsitsipas +1100
• Alexander Zverev +1400
• Denis Shapovalov +1400
• Roger Federer +1400
• Carlos Alcaraz +1400
• Felix Auger-Aliassime +2100
• Dominic Thiem +2500
• Andrey Rublev +3000

Other Notable Men’s Singles Players Set to be Banned from Wimbledon

• Karen Khachanov +5500
• Aslan Karatsev +8500

Wimbledon 2022 Women’s Singles Odds

Tournament Favorites and Top Contenders

• Naomi Osaka +260
• Aryna Sabalenka +350
• Simona Halep +440
• Emma Raducanu +440
• Iga Swiatek +600
• Cori “Coco” Gauff +1000
• Serena Williams +1000
• Karolina Pliskova +1200
• Bianca Andreescu +1700
• Petra Kvitova +1700
• Belinda Bencic +1700
• Elena Rybakina +1700
• Garbine Muguruza +1800
• Barbora Krejcikova +2300
• Paula Badosa +2400
• Anett Kontaveit +2500

Other Notable Women’s Singles Players Set to be Banned from Wimbledon

• Victoria Azarenka +3800
• Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova +5500
• Veronika Kudermetova +7000
• Ekaterina Alexandrova +8500
• Liudmila Samsonova +8500

So, two top contenders will not be there, as of now. And while neither player is on that level, Rublev (+3000) and Azarenka (+3800) are in the tier of players who could make a run.

Of course, tournament organizers could very well reverse course, so this is all subject to change. But at least for the time being, adjust your Wimbledon bets accordingly, even if sportsbooks don’t immediately remove the above players from their Wimbledon odds.