By DPA
London : Even with the injury absence of British number one Andy Murray and the unlikely chance of huge success for 74th-ranked Tim Henman, betting is expected to be hot and heavy as the 121st Wimbledon Championships begin Monday.
Punters are expected to wager the equivalent of $ 5 million a day over the course of the fortnight, with odds huge on world number one Roger Federer of Switzerland to lift a record-equalling fifth consecutive title.
Before his Sunday pullout due to a May wrist injury, which is not yet 100 percent, eighth seed Murray had 25-1 odds to win the event, where no British man has triumphed since Fred Parry in 1936.
*********
Sharapova admits to contrasting victory emotions
Wimbledon tradition is more of a personal emotion for Maria Sharapova, the 2004 champion who is keen to earn more glory at the All England club.
The Russian second seed won the US Open last September, but said that taking the title in hard-hitting New York is not the same as lifting one on the lawns of the All England club.
She said that Wimbledon's prestige can be measured by post-victory media attention.
"There was the little difference with winning the US Open," said the 20-year-old Russian. "When I won Wimbledon (2004), I flew to New York, I was on talk shows, doing this and that.
"After the US Open, I was just surrounded by my friends and my family. I got to appreciate it a little bit more. I kind of settled in. And I learned.
"After Wimbledon even the next few tournaments I played, I thought I had to win every single little thing, not realizing that was simply impossible.
"After the Open, the only big thing that I did was just go on (David) Letterman (American talk show). But it was mostly just celebrated within my little group. It was really incredible."