Big Serving Underdogs That Could Ruffle Feathers at Wimbledon at Long Odds
Of all the grand slam events, Wimbledon is the most likely to serve up a surprise finalist or two.
Nick Kyrgios, Matteo Berrettini and Milos Raonic have all made their sole major final appearance at SW19 within the past decade, with plenty of others over the years using their big serves to enjoy success on the grass.
Can we expect a repeat at Wimbledon in 2025? Only time will tell, but here are five candidates that could upset the odds this summer.
Taylor Fritz
People often like to take a chance on an outsider or two at Wimbledon. This is especially so with offers like the new user promos at BetMGM, which allow customers to place a wager on Wimbledon (or any other sporting event) with the knowledge that they will receive bonus bet credits back in return. One such outsider could be Taylor Fritz, a possible dangerman on the grass at odds of 33/1.
The American has reached the quarter-final stage, at least, of five major events – including Wimbledon in 2022 and 2024 – so he’s very much a player for the big stage.
Fritz forces a fifth! ?
The American takes the fourth set 7-6(3)#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/gaxanvEdhR
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 8, 2024
A wretched run during the clay court season is of no concern to the 27-year-old, whose strengths are diminished on that particular surface.
Even so, he’s winning 89.3% of his service games this season, according to the ATP Leaderboard at the time of writing. This makes him a dangerous customer on the grass.
Matteo Berrettini
Injuries and tough draws have so far rendered Matteo Berrettini’s 2025 as something of a write-off.
He was forced to withdraw from the French Open with a thigh problem, while deeper runs into tournaments have been ended, typically, by top-ten ranked opponents.
But the Italian, at 6ft 5in and with long limbs, remains a danger on the grass thanks to his serve, which is still one of the very best despite his various impediments.
A Wimbledon finalist with semi-final appearances at the Australian and US Open, Berrettini has the class – and the serve – to outperform current odds of 60/1.
Hubert Hurkacz
It’s amazing to think that Hubert Hurkacz once climbed to number six in the world despite a poor record in grand slams, which have yielded a solitary semi-final appearance at Wimbledon in 2021.
The Pole, a giant of a man, is blessed with a monster serve and perhaps, at the age of 28, maturity that will enable him to kick on and challenge at SW19 once more.
Hurkacz enjoyed a respectable clay court season, despite the dirt not being his favourite surface, which included a run to the final of the Geneva Open in May.
At 60/1 with BetMGM, Hurkacz is certainly a dangerous outsider.
Alexander Bublik
Odds of 120/1 about Alexander Bublik are intriguing given his run to the quarter-finals at the French Open.
That was particularly eye-catching given that clay is far from his favourite surface. In fact, it’s grass where Bublik has really thrived.
Alexander Bublik is into the Roland Garros quarterfinals! pic.twitter.com/8486xIwWIv
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) June 2, 2025
The Kazakhstani has reached the third round of Wimbledon, at least, in each of the last four years, losing out to seeded opposition on each occasion.
But Bublik’s willingness to attack lines and hit winners can work like a charm on grass, so he – and the other three players on the list – have the serve and the game to be real contenders at Wimbledon in 2025.
