Serena Williams is in both a familiar spot and uncharted territory.
The 37-year-old superstar is, once again, the favorite to win the 2019 US Open. But, Serena has not won a Grand Slam since the 2017 Australian Open.
Williams is listed at 5-1 to win the last slam of 2019, meaning oddsmakers peg her chances to win the tournament at roughly 16.7% when you convert the odds to implied probability.
Serena's health is also a question mark as she was forced to retire in the first set of the Rogers Cup Final against Bianca Andreescu in her last match (Aug. 11). The 23-time Grand Slam champion will also need to navigate a tricky Round 1 match against Maria Sharapova if she wants to make a real run for No. 24.
Simona Halep, who defeated Serena in the 2019 Wimbledon Finals, is the second favorite at +650. Halep has never won the US Open. Her best result in Flushing was an appearance in the semifinals back in 2015. The 27-year-old Romanian was unceremoniously eliminated in Round 1 of last year's tournament.
Ashleigh Barty is the only other player listed at single-digit odds. The 23-year-old Aussie put together a terrific string of results in the early summer, including a win at the 2019 French Open.
Defending champion Naomi Osaka, the World No. 1, is listed at 10-1. Osaka has won the last two WTA Grand Slams played on hard court (2018 US Open, 2019 Australian Open).
Coco Gauff, who captured the sport's attention with a run to the fourth round at Wimbledon, is listed at 66-1.
The 2019 US Open begins on Monday, August 26 at 11 a.m. ET.
2019 US Open Odds
Serena Williams 5-1
Simona Halep +650
Ashleigh Barty 8-1
Naomi Osaka 10-1
Karolina Pliskova 13-1
Bianca Vanessa Andreescu 14-1
Madison Keys 14-1
Angelique Kerber 20-1
Petra Kvitova 20-1
Sofia Kenin 25-1
Sloane Stephens 25-1
Elina Svitolina 27-1
Aryna Sabalenka 30-1
Kiki Bertens 33-1
Belinda Bencic 50-1
Garbine Muguruza 50-1
Victoria Azarenka 66-1
Johanna Konta 66-1
Dayana Yastremska 66-1
Coco Gauff 66-1
Svetlana Kuznetsova 75-1
Maria Sharapova 80-1
Caroline Wozniacki 100-1
Anett Kontaveit 120-1
Marketa Vondrousova 120-1
Jelena Ostapenko 125-1
Anastajia Sevastova 125-1
Caroline Garcia 150-1
Maria Sakkari 150-1
Iga Swiatek 150-1
Donna Vekic 150-1
Venus Williams 150-1
Elise Mertens 166-1
