ATP World Tour Finals Tennis Betting 2009

As the end of the 2009 Tennis Betting years draws ever closer – and we cast our minds back on a fantastic year for the sport – tennis betting fans will no doubt be excited at the forthcoming prospect of ATP World Tour Finals tennis betting 2009 opportunities and the associated markets that will manifest themselves between now and the end of November. Indeed, for most people the run-up to Christmas signals the start of a wind-down as such, however for professional mens tennis players, the opposite is true. As the nights draw in and the temperatures drop away, the ATP World Tour Finals tennis betting 2009 homes into view on the sports betting horizon; which for those eight men currently deemed the best tennis players in the world (statistically-speaking), means limbering up for the ultimate clash of the ATP titans.

Roger Federer crowned ATP World Tour Champion 2009

Sponsored by Barclays in 2009, the ATP World Tour Finals pits the cream of the contemporary ATP mens circuit against one another in a round-robin formatted tournament that's played out at the O2 Arena in London's docklands. Once the eight players are established (based on points accumulated during the course of the current season), then they're split into two separate groups of four competitors who are then charged with challenging the other three in their respective group. Once this round of games are put to bed and a pecking order is established, then the two best players in each group progress to the semi-finals, with the winners of each going head-to-head in a one-off final game. All of which serves as the perfect opportunity for engrossing ourselves in the myriad of ATP World Tour Finals tennis betting 2009 online sports books that will present themselves to us, courtesy of our leading internet bookmaking friends out there.

Tennis Betting Fans Set To Cash In On ATP World Tour Finals Tennis Betting 2009 Online Bookie Offers

Having previously been known under numerous guises since its birth in 1970, this is officially its fourth evolution. Prior to this the ATP World Tour Finals were referred to as the Tennis Masters Cup, before which it was simply known as the ATP Tour World Championships. In its inception year in 1970 it went under the working title of the Masters Grand Prix and was won by the American tennis player, Stan Smith in Tokyo. Which leads us nicely to another point of conjecture, that being the location in which the event is staged.

Something of a moveable feast to say the very least, what we've generally agreed to refer to as the ATP World Tour Finals henceforth, is being hosted by the O2 Arena in London in 2009, in this it's 39th year. Since its Tokyo inception the competition has been welcomed by just about every major city in the world, including Shanghai, Sydney, Lisbon, Frankfurt, Hanover, New York, Houston, Stockholm, Melbourne, Boston, Barcelona and Paris during its globe-trotting travels. We best stop there however, or we'll be encroaching on the history of the ATP World Tour Finals tennis betting arena; which is another tennis betting themed story altogether.

Yet before we leave the topic of location entirely, it's worth pointing out that (as has been an identifiable trait of its heritage) the ATP World Tour Finals will find its home in London - at the O2 Arena - from now up until and including 2012; which of course is the year in which the nation's principle city hosts the Olympic Games. Just in case you'd forgotten. To remind yourself you may want to have a little look here at our #2012 Olympic Games Betting# page.

All Eyes On Andy Murray To Restore British Tennis Pride In ATP World Tour Finals

Anyway, back to the here and now, and all eyes will be on the home nation's tennis star who's ably followed in the tennis shoe rubs of Messrs Tim Henman, Greg Rusedski, Barry Cowan and Jeremy Bates in lifting this country's tennis spirits to new highs. His passport may establish him of Scottish stock, yet we've taken him to our collective British tennis bosom like one of our own as to a man we've all gotten behind Andy Murray. Despite his well documented remarks about the England football team some of us still haven't forgotten. (live and let live, Ed)

Yes, stirring his tennis stumps for another hurrah from the 22nd to the 29th November 2009, Andy Murray will be flying the flag for Great Britain as our latest (and possibly greatest Wimbledon hopeful since Fred Perry) prepares to engage in tennis hostilities across the net from the likes of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Andy Roddick and Juan Martin del Potro in the Barclays-sponsored end of term workout. If you count the names though currently certain of turning up you'll notice that we're shy of two players if the full suit of the eight best mens tennis players in the world, presently, is to be realised.

Of the two remaining places up for grabs, Nikolay Davydenko and Fernando Verdasco look the two most likely candidates to be making up the numbers in London, based on the ATP points they've accumulated from match wins and performances thus far; although the triumvirate of Robin Soderling, Fernando Gonzalez and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga still have an outside chance of making the Finals between now and the end of November providing they muster enough points.

Federer Remains Tennis Betting Bookmakers' Odds On Favourite For ATP World Tour Finals Title

Looking at the six candidates who are assured entrance to the ATP World Tour Finals at this juncture though from a tennis betting perspective and it's difficult to see beyond the usual suspects at a time like this. Running the risk of brining predictability into the equation, it would take a foolish person (or someone with insider information let's say) to bet against Federer, Nadal or Murray; the truth of which is automatically reflected by the online bookmakers' almost stilted stance as we go to press.

Swiss maestro Roger Federer leads the way, both in terms of a four-times previous winner of this event and with regards the tennis bookies who really can't (or won't) see an upset taking place as the current wimbledon mens singles champion continues his seemingly relentless assault on the tennis history books. His 15^th Grand Slam victory ensured Federer reclaimed the world number one spot in the ATP rankings, and a month later his was the second name to be confirmed appearing at this year's ATP World Tour Finals. As short as 2/1 favourites with Blue Square and 888sport, Bet365 and SkyBet list Federer at 15/8 for his fifth win in this event, with Paddy Power going for the 7/4 chance.

Nadal, Murray, Del Potro And Djokovic Will Put ATP World Tour Finals Pressure On Federer

Spanish tennis machine Rafael Nadal was first to be invited to the ATP World Tour Finals this year, a feat which enables him to play in this his fifth consecutive outing in the prestigious tennis event. The current australian open champion added victories in the Monte Carlo Rolex Masters, Barcelona Open and the Internazionali BNL d'Italia, all clay court fixtures organised by the ATP that cemented Nadal's selection for the O2 showing in November. According to the online tennis betting bookmakers, he's seen as second/third favourite along with Andy Murray, with Blue Square, Paddy Power and 888sport all offering a 4/1 best price for the title, whilst Bet365 and SkyBet are settling on 5s for the time being.

Andy Murray qualified in third place for the ATP World Tour Finals and will be making only his second appearance at the 2009 tennis season finale in London. One of the young Scot's greatest achievements this year was undoubtedly when he broke the Federer-Nadal deadlock at the head of the ATP rankings – after the twosome had an enjoyed a four-year stranglehold in the top two places – when Murray ascended to the lofty world number two position on the 17th August in light of his fourth ATP title this year. Securing fine wins on clay in 2009, the pinnacle of his ascension in the eyes of the tennis following neutral must surely have been when the 22-year old became the first Brit since 1938 to win at the Queens Club in London, the precursor to the Wimbledon Championships were he reached a respectable semi-final berth where he eventually lost out to Andy Roddick. Bet365 and Paddy Power have Murray down as a 4/1 shot for the ATP World Tour Finals, while Blue Square and 888sport suggest a 9/2 price, with SkyBet saying 7/2 at this time.

Those tennis players standing the best chance of breaking up this all-conquering trio going into the ATP World Tour Finals in Londonnnn are Novak Djokovic, Andy Roddick and Juan Martin del Potro. All very much in the frame and capable of stealing the tennis headlines away from the aforementioned on their day, the internet bookies are lining up del Potro as the man in the best position to co-ordinate the downfall of the big three. Bet365, Blue Square, SkyBet and 888sport all agree on him being worthy of a 6/1 price for the outright win, Novak Djokovic is also generating a lot of interest at the 7/1 mark with the very same virtual bookies. At odds with his performances this year, the same bookies are overlooking the experienced Andy Roddick (found at 20/1 at best on average) and looking at Nicolay Davydenko; who can be backed anywhere between 7/1 and 11/1 with the same selection of tennis betting bookmakers we've already profiled.