A
bet placed on Wimbledon champion Roger Federer nearly a decade ago has
netted more than £100,000 for Oxfam. But how popular are so-called
future wagers?
Nine years ago, Nick Newlife made a wager of £1,520, at odds
of 66/1, that Swiss tennis star Roger Federer would win seven Wimbledon
titles by 2019.
Although his prediction proved to be accurate, Newlife didn't
live long enough to enjoy his winnings. He died in 2009, leaving the
betting slip to Oxfam in his will.
Newlife obviously had a penchant for this sort of gambling. A
previous wager - that Federer would win 14 Grand Slam events - had cost
the same bookmaker, William Hill, nearly £17,000. This was also paid
out to Oxfam.
And on Monday, according to bookmaker Ladbrokes, a punter
staked £10,000 at 4/1 for Andy Murray to win the Wimbledon title at some
time in the future.
These kinds of future wagers are not new.
Despite losing on Sunday, one punter was still happy to bet on a future Wimbledon win
A bet was placed on Lewis Hamilton when he was only nine to win
a Formula 1 Grand Prix race before the age of 23 (40/1), according to
Ladbrokes. Another predicted he would win the World Drivers'
Championship title before the age of 25. Odds of 150/1 netted winnings
of £150,000.
Many a doting parent harbours dreams for their children. For
some, the faith is so strong that they are happy to take a punt on
future success.
So sure was Eddie Kirkland of his son Chris's talent, that in
1995 he and a number of family friends each placed a £100 bet at odds
of 100-1 that the 12-year-old would one day play football for England.
Although the one-time Liverpool goalie was chosen for the
England squad a number of times, it wasn't until 2006 that he finally
came on to win his first cap.
Two dogs have been "married'' in a
lavish Manhattan extravaganza in what is now officially the most
expensive pooch wedding in history.
