Henman backs Sinner, Sabalenka to defend Australian Open titles

Tim Henman is siding with the defending champions for the Australian Open in January, with the former British No.1 backing Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka to win the first Grand Slam in 2025.

“I probably will go on form,” he said on Thursday.

“I think on the women’s side, I think Sabalenka was rightly the player of 2024.

“She played so well on hard courts and has such a big game.

“I think she has got rid of some of the serving issues on second serve, so I think she is definitely the player to beat.”

Sabalenka is also the favourite at tennis bookmakers, with the Belarusian paying +225 to win her third consecutive Australian Open title.

Henman, who reached a career high of No.4 in the world, is also siding with tennis betting sites when it comes to the men’s draw in Melbourne.

Bovada has Sinner at +175 to defend his Australian Open title, with Carlos Alcaraz (+240) and Novak Djokovic (+300) on the next two lines of betting.

“In the men’s, Sinner and Alcaraz are the favourites,” he said.

“But Djokovic has won 10 down there, he knows what it takes.

“With [Andy] Murray in his corner it will be interesting to see how he fares.”

Henman is also high on countryman Jack Draper’s chances, with the Brit on the sixth line of betting at +3300.

“He’s got a lot to build on from 2024 going into 2025,” he said.

“When you actually go into the detail of Jack’s 2024, it still wasn’t straightforward.

“He still had some injury issues.”

Draper had a breakthrough season in 2024, claiming titles in Stuttgart and Vienna, making the final four of a Grand Slam and ending the year at a career high of No.15 in the world.

“To finish in the top 20 and make semis of the US Open, that’s going to be big for his confidence,” Henman continued.

“He’s won on tour now at 250 and 500 level, so onwards and upwards.

“But you have got to make sure that you manage the schedule, manage the body to give yourself the best opportunity of competing against the other best players in the world.

“He’s going to be ready and raring to go.”

The Australian Open begins on Sunday, January 12, at Melbourne Park.

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