The men’s doubles event at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France, promises to be an exciting competition.
Headlined by a superstar Spanish pairing of Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal, there are several intriguing duos that could vie for the gold medal.
Some teams feature experienced doubles players, while others are composed of talented singles players. Read on for an expert prediction and insights into this year’s Olympic tennis betting.
Event Details
- Event: Men’s Tennis (Doubles)
- Dates: July 29 to August 3, 2024
- Location: Stade Roland Garros, Paris, France
- Broadcast: Peacock, NBC Sports
2024 Men’s Olympic Tennis Doubles Betting Odds
Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal are the favorites to win gold, but at (+380), the competition remains wide open.
Other top duos include Italy’s Vavassori/Bolelli, France’s Reboul/Roger-Vasselin, and the USA’s Rajeev Ram and Austin Krajicek.
The Problem with Betting on Alcaraz/Nadal Pairing
Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal playing together on clay presents a formidable challenge for any opponent. However, there are concerns about Nadal’s fitness, as he has struggled with a chronic foot issue requiring injections to play comfortably. While Nadal has taken it easy in preparation for this tournament, his health remains uncertain.
Alcaraz has been dominant in singles, winning two of the three majors this season. Nadal, however, has had limited appearances, with his first-round exit at the French Open being a promising performance despite losing to eventual runner-up Alexander Zverev.
Another issue is the demanding schedule. Both players are expected to go deep in the singles competition, potentially reaching the final on the same day as the doubles final, August 3rd. This could result in fatigue and impact their performance in either event. Given these factors, betting on Alcaraz and Nadal at their relatively short odds of (+380) might not be the best choice.
Americans Live to Win Gold in Men’s Olympic Tennis Doubles?
Two American pairings are set to compete in the men’s doubles tournament. The favored duo is Rajeev Ram and Austin Krajicek, experienced doubles players with a strong track record. They recently reached the semi-finals of the German Open and played in the Davis Cup finals earlier this year. Ram, a silver medalist in mixed doubles at the 2016 Olympics, and Krajicek, bring significant experience to the table.
Their teammates Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul, while top-20 singles players, have less impressive doubles records. Fritz and Paul’s inexperience in doubles may hinder their chances of winning gold. Despite this, the USA has a combined 13.7% chance of earning gold, offering some hope for American fans.
Intriguing Duos of Elite Singles Players Could Make the Perfect Match
While experienced doubles players like Ram and Krajicek are strong contenders, there are intriguing combinations of singles players worth considering. For instance, Ugo Humbert and Arthur Fils of France, despite their lackluster ATP doubles records (6-30 combined), have shown promise in ITF doubles titles, indicating potential chemistry and success on the global stage.
Another interesting pairing is Daniil Medvedev and Roman Safiullin, who practiced together for the Olympics in Halle. Although they lost their first qualifying match, the experience may benefit them in Paris, making them an interesting bet at around 30 to 1 odds.
While the Spanish pairing of Alcaraz and Nadal may seem like the obvious choice, their fitness concerns and demanding schedules suggest looking elsewhere for betting value.
American duo Rajeev Ram and Austin Krajicek offer a strong alternative, along with intriguing singles pairings like Humbert/Fils and Medvedev/Safiullin.
Betting on experience and chemistry could provide the edge needed to navigate the competitive field at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.