Serena Williams' Last Dance šŸ

The US Open gets underway today with a full slate of Round 1 matchups. This tournament has already produced a number of storylines, including Novak Djokovicā€™s withdrawal and Serena Williamsā€™ retirement. Itā€™s about to be an eventful two weeks at Flushing Meadows, so letā€™s dive in šŸŽ¾ (4 min read)

Author

Jeanie Verderese
August 29, 2022

Today's parlay isĀ Daniil Medvedev 3-0 vs. Stefan KozlovĀ andĀ Serena Williams 2-1 vs. Danka Kovinic. More info below on a chance to win $100 šŸ‘‡

Photo by TPN/Getty Images

US Open Storylines

It's been a little over six weeks since our last major tennis tournament, but with end of summer comes the US Open. Hands down one of the most exciting events of the year, the 2022 rendition has a crazy amount of storylines on both the men's and women's side of the tournament. Let me catch you up šŸ‘‡

šŸæ Men's US Open Headlines:Ā 

  • Novak Djokovic is not allowed to enter the United States because he remains unvaccinated, which is a requirement for foreign visitors entering the states. Because of this, Djokovic (3x US Open Champ) had to withdraw from the event šŸ˜„

  • Rafael Nadal is gunning for career Grand Slam No. 23, and his third title of the year. He has a favorable draw on paper, without any major competition until the Semifinal round

  • Let's not forget about Daniil Medvedev, besides being the No. 1-ranked player in the world, he's also the defending US Open Champion šŸ†

Djokovic was the favorite before pulling out of the tournament last week. Now, the odds have shifted towardsĀ Medvedev to hoist the trophy once again šŸ‘€

Men's Singles US Open OddsĀ (subject to change)Ā Ā 

  • Daniil Medvedev: +230 (bet $100, win $230)

  • Rafael Nadal: +380

  • Carlos Alcaraz: +500

  • Nick Kyrgios: +1000

  • Stefanos Tsitsipas: +1600

As for the women's side, the entire tournament will be overshadowed by the curtain coming down on one of the greatest athletes of all-time, Serena Williams šŸ

šŸæ Women's US Open Headlines

  • Earlier this month, Serena announced she would be "evolving" away from tennis after the US Open in a entire Vogue magazine spread (more on this later) šŸ™

  • No. 1-ranked Iga Swiatek, who's won a remarkable six singles titles in 2022, is gaining the most traction to leave New York as US Open Champion

  • However, 19-year-old Emma Raducanu is back to defend her title, which would be exhilarating after an injury-stricken season šŸ¤•

If we were betting with our hearts, we would be taking Serena to go out on top. But, oddsmakers have the 2x Grand Slam Champion Iga Swiatek as the favorite šŸ’°

Women's Singles US Open OddsĀ (subject to change)Ā 

  • Iga Swiatek: +390 (bet $100, win $390)

  • Simona Halep: +800

  • Coco Gauff: +1500

  • Aryna Sabalenka: +1800

  • Caroline Garcia: +1800

  • Serena Williams: +5000

Photo by Simon Bruty/Any Chance/Getty Images

Farewell To The GOAT

Serena Williams' career is about to come full circle, as her final matches will be played at the same location where she won the first of her 23 career Grand Slam titles. Back in 1999 when she secured her first title at Flushing Meadows, we never imagined this day would come...tennis without the GOAT šŸ˜¢

Serena Williams on Instagram: "Vogue. September issue Cover. There comes a time in life when we have to decide to move in a different direction. That time is always hard when you love something so much. My goodness do I enjoy tennis. But now, the countdown has begun. I have to focus on being a mom, my spiritual goals and finally discovering a different, but just exciting Serena. I'm gonna relish these next few weeks. šŸ„° Vogue // @voguemagazine Photographer: Luis Alberto Rodriguez // @luisalbertorodriguezstudio Fashion Editor: Gabriella Karefa-Johnson // @gabriellak_j Hair: The late Latisha Chong ā¤ļø and Tav Kinard // @iam_thechong Makeup: Raisa Flowers // @raisaflowers Entertainment Director: Sergio Kletnoy // @sergiokletnoy"

Serena Williams shared a post on Instagram: "Vogue. September issue Cover. There comes a time in life when we have to decide to move in a different direction. That time is always hard when you love something so much. My goodness do I enjoy tennis. But now, the countdown has begun. I have to focus on being a mom, my spiritual goals and finally discovering a different, but just exciting Serena. I'm gonna relish these next few weeks. šŸ„° Vogue // @voguemagazine Photographer: Luis Alberto Rodriguez // @luisalbertorodriguezstudio Fashion Editor: Gabriella Karefa-Johnson // @gabriellak_j Hair: The late Latisha Chong ā¤ļø and Tav Kinard // @iam_thechong Makeup: Raisa Flowers // @raisaflowers Entertainment Director: Sergio Kletnoy // @sergiokletnoy". Follow their account to see 1967 posts.

https://www.instagram.com/p/ChCgQH0rFbQ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Serena is one of the most decorated athletes we've ever seen, and it's hard picture anyone putting together a resume as flawless as this one šŸ”„

Serena will be in action tonight at Arthur Ashe Stadium at 7PM EST against Danka Kovinic, who's never played a match at this 23,771-capacity stadium šŸ˜¬

  • Danka Kovinic: +315 (bet $100, win $315)

  • Serena Williams: -410 (bet $410, win $100)

We're also getting a special farewell treat, as Serena will be competing in women's doubles with her sister Venus. This is the first doubles event for the Williams sisters since the 2018 French Open šŸ‘‘

  • Serena and Venus will face the Czech pair of Lucie Hradecka and Linda Noskova in the first round, which is set to begin on Wednesday

The Williams sisters have won doubles at the US Open twice (1999 & 2009), and they're a perfect 14-0 in Grand Slam doubles finals, so the field better watch out šŸ˜³

Trivia Question: How many Grand Slam titles did Serena Williams win after turning 30 years old?Ā (answer below)Ā 

Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images

For My Parlay Gurus

Despite all the storylines before this tournament began, there's no doubt these men and women are locked in for Round 1 today. I'm going with reigning champion Daniil Medvedev to take care of business in straight sets against Stefan Kozlov. I'll be pairing that with Serena to get the win, but not before she drops a set due to emotions running high. Check it out šŸ‘‡

  • Daniil Medvedev 3-0 vs. Stefan Kozlov: -430

  • Serena Williams 2-1 vs. Danka Kovinic: +290

$100 on this bet would win you $381 ā€” if we hit, make sure you emailĀ [email protected]Ā for a chance to win up to $100*. Many will enter, only some will win šŸ˜‰

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Trivia Answer: Serena won 10 Grand Slam titles after turning 30 years old. No other woman in the Open Era has won more than 3 after turning 30

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