As the Olympics coverage winds down, fans will inevitably focus on other sports. One of them will be Women’s Tennis. The US Open is the final Grand Slam of the 2021 season and expects it to be a wide-open field as every ladies’ tournament has been so far.
The top twelve ladies are listed below in our Women’s Tennis Futures.
| 2021 Women's Tennis Futures -- US Open |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naomi Osaka | +400 | +350 | +375 |
| Ashleigh Barty | +600 | +800 | +650 |
| Bianca Andreescu | +1100 | +900 | +900 |
| Serena Williams | +900 | +950 | +800 |
| Simona Halep | +1100 | +1000 | +1100 |
| Aryna Sabalenka | +1200 | +1200 | +2200 |
| Iga Swaitek | +1100 | +1200 | +1000 |
| Karolina Pliskova | +1600 | +1200 | +1400 |
| Petra Kvitova | +1800 | +1200 | +1800 |
| Sofia Kenin | +2000 | +1200 | +1200 |
| Victoria Azarenka | +1800 | +1200 | +1200 |
| Gabriella Muguruza | +1400 | +1400 | +1400 |
The number of players that could win this final Grand Slam of 2021 is numerous. That is where the problem comes in as far as handicapping this tournament. Again, the options are plentiful and nearly endless. There is the aging champion in Serena Williams. The hope is that, at this point, Williams can go on a run and be able to head off to retirement on her own terms.
Now, that being said, the pandemic threw a major wrench into everything last year. The French Open took place after the US Open. Also, Wimbledon was canceled. So, going back to 2020, Naomi Osaki won the US Open then triumphed in the 2021 Australian Open. Iga Swiatek of Poland broke through at the French Open last year. Barbora Krejcikova shocked the tennis world by winning on the clay in 2021. Ashleigh Barty dominated on the grass to win Wimbledon.
The Olympics almost became a throwaway tournament because of the excessive heat. Many players just could not handle the conditions and several players (like Serena Williams) stayed away due to COVID concerns. It helps create a field where so many players can win this tournament — including several other Americans as well.
Again, all it takes is an upset or two to change things.
This is where the debate for Women’s Tennis Futures begins. Naturally, no one quite knows what will happen during this fourth Grand Slam. The hard-court season does not expect to change much, if anything, in that regard.
It is easy to see why Osaka could be considered a favorite. There is no other female player right now who has won two Grand Slams in the last year. Osaka did bow out early in the Olympic Tournament. However, it was a brutal tournament that felt more like survival at times than a display of actual tennis ability.
However, there has been some concern about the mental aspect of her game. Mental health is a very real issue for Osaka whether anyone wants to truly admit it or not. When she is on target with her shots, few can defeat her in a best-of-three match. Serena Williams had little or no chance in their meeting last year.
Again, the only problem this year may just be COVID as it increases in numbers throughout the tri-state area. With mandates going back in place, there is a chance that crowds may be modified or even not allowed. That will be something to keep an eye on and could change the odds.
Osaka should be well-rested and the tuneups will get her ready for the US Open. This is a risk to pick the favorite but when the favorite is at plus money at this level, it is worth a shot.
Hence, our Women’s Tennis futures pick below is one where the odds may just shorten right before the end of the month. That’s right. The tournament goes from August 30th – September 12th.
Ahead of what could be her final Grand Slam of her career, the questions about Serena Williams outweigh the answers. No one seems to know what shape she is even in. At this point, it seems Williams just wants her chance to end her career her way. The problem is this is Serena Williams. She wants to win and badly. If she could go on a deep run, this would tilt the Women’s Tennis Futures at least a little more.
Right now, consider that Williams has barely played any tennis and barely practiced The hope is that she can play in Cincinnati and get several matches in. That hopefully gets her on the road to ready for the US Open.
According to Grand Slam History, the fact that Williams is not ranked in the top ten still looks odd. That is the reality. It is more than the fact that she has not played enough tournaments. Tennis is just not important right now for her and that is expected under the circumstances.
For Women’s Tennis Futures, our best bet is not to pick Serena Williams at this point. Winning this tournament seems too tall an order but do watch that first week, especially if her groundstrokes have that zip.
2021 has taught us to just keep looking at the women’s field as a body of work and not one or two players. Simona Halep and all these players around +800 to +1200 may be great but what about a Jennifer Brady? She is risky but worth a look.
The question becomes can Brady find a way through the first week. Again, with the tournament being so all over the place, who knows who may emerge. That is what makes the women’s side so much fun. The only reason to side with Osaka is the premise that this surface is one she exceeding excels on.
Take Naomi Osaka to win the Women’s US Open before her odds possibly shorten.
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