Wimbledon 2012: Early Odds for Wimbledon's Past Champions

London is preparing for the first event of their busy summer: Wimbledon. Play will begin on June 25th and will serve as tune-up for the Olympics, which will also be held at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.

The top players in the world are coming to England with the hopes of adding another Grand Slam to their resume. Here is a look at the early odds for past Wimbledon champions as they hope to raise the trophy again.

All odds are from Bovada Sportsbook.

Novak Djokovic: 7/4

The No. 1 player in the world is the early favorite heading into Wimbledon. Djokovic will be looking to repeat as Wimbledon Champion after beating Rafael Nadal in the finals last year and taking over his No. 1 ranking. Djokovic has not surrendered that ranking since, but it will be on the line at Wimbledon when Nadal and Roger Federer both have a chance at taking over the top spot with a title.  

Djokovic is coming off a loss to Nadal at the French Open, which should fuel him heading into Wimbledon. Djokovic is deserving as the early favorite heading into Wimbledon, and he should give himself an excellent opportunity to repeat as Wimbledon champion.

Rafael Nadal: 2/1

Projections have Rafael Nadal meeting Djokovic in the final, which surely would not disappoint tennis fans. Nadal got his revenge against Djokovic at this year's French Open, and he will hope to carry that momentum with him as he attempts to win his third Wimbledon title.

Nadal last won at Wimbledon in 2010 when he beat Tomás Berdych in straight sets. Both times Nadal has won at Wimbledon he also won the French Open beforehand. Nadal has always played well at Wimbledon, having reached the final five times since 2006 (missing in 2009 with a knee injury).

Nadal is playing strong tennis right now and should not have a problem making it back to the Wimbledon final.

Roger Federer: 7/2

Roger Federer crushed it at Wimbledon during the 2000s, winning six Wimbledon titles. In 2011, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga ousted Federer in the quarterfinals. Federer comes to England with the chance of regaining the No. 1 world ranking, which should be the boost the 30-year-old needs to play his best.

Federer has had more Grand Slam titles at Wimbledon then any of the other three Grand Slam tournaments. The first two Grand Slam tournaments of 2012 have resulted in semifinal exits for Federer.

He is a lock to make the semifinals at Wimbledon and, depending on his opponent, it would be no surprise if Federer won at the All England Club for the seventh time.

Serena Williams: 11/4

Serena Williams is one of the early favorites on the women’s side of the tournament. Despite her No. 6 world ranking, Serena is always a force at Wimbledon. She has won the tournament four times, including 2009 and 2010. In her past five trips to Wimbledon her worst finish was a fourth-round exit last year.

Following a disappointing showing at the French Open, Williams will head to England with the fire and intensity that should drive her to the Wimbledon final. Serena is one of the most competitive players in the world, and her motivation makes her an early favorite at Wimbledon.

Venus Williams: 20/1

The odds makers are not big fans of Venus Williams heading into Wimbledon this year, and they have no reason to be. Since 2011, Venus has not played at the level that she did in the beginning of her career.

She has withdrawn from two of her last six Grand Slams, and her best showing was reaching the fourth round of Wimbledon in 2011.

Venus has had the majority of her Grand Slam success at Wimbledon, but she has not played well enough lately to be considered a favorite at Wimbledon. I would be surprised if Venus made it to the semifinals.

Maria Sharapova: 11/4

Maria Sharapova comes to Wimbledon riding a wave of momentum following her French Open championship earlier this month, which completed her career Grand Slam.

Sharapova has more success at Wimbledon then any of the other Grand Slam tournaments, having won 81 percent of her Wimbledon matches. She has had an outstanding 2012 season so far, and she'll be looking to keep her No. 1 world ranking when she arrives in England.

Sharapova is playing better tennis than anyone in the world right now, and it would be an upset to see her not reach the final at Wimbledon.