Thiem’s Winning Insights: Key ATP Fantasy Strategies for Madrid, where He Conquered Nadal & Federer
The Austrian star shares his expert tips as fans dive into the exciting new fantasy tennis experience.
April 18, 2026
ATP Tour
Dominic Thiem shares his top ATP Fantasy picks and strategies ahead of the 2026 Mutua Madrid Open.
Written by ATP Staff
How did your inaugural week of ATP Fantasy unfold?
Many fans kicked off the new season with enthusiasm in this fresh game, where players assume the role of team managers, selecting a lineup of stars to earn points based on their real-world performances. Among those participating is Dominic Thiem, the former World No. 3 and 2020 US Open champion.
“I find it incredibly enjoyable! The game is designed exceptionally well, and it’s thrilling to track my team’s progress,” Thiem remarked. “I’ve been closely following some of the early matches in Monte-Carlo, really cheering on my players. It’s a fantastic experience, and I’m thrilled with how the first week went.”
Now, which players will be gracing Thiem’s lineup for the Mutua Madrid Open? Given his impressive history at this tournament, where he triumphed over legends like Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, and Stan Wawrinka, his insights are invaluable.
Set to take place from April 22 to May 3 at the Caja Magica, the ATP Masters 1000 event is hosted at a higher altitude, affecting ball dynamics compared to Monte-Carlo and Rome, which Thiem is mindful of in his selections.
Another significant aspect Thiem considers is the home-court advantage players enjoy. Two #NextGenATP talents from Madrid—Rafael Jodar, fresh off his first ATP Tour title in Marrakech and a semi-final appearance in Barcelona, along with Miami quarter-finalist Martin Landaluce—are vying as wild cards.
In Monte-Carlo, Thiem’s selections included Carlos Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev, Francisco Cerundolo, Tallon Griekspoor, Corentin Moutet, and Grigor Dimitrov. With Alcaraz sidelined due to injury, he plans to swap him out for reigning World No. 1 Jannik Sinner.
“I will definitely keep Sascha on my roster; he’s a two-time Madrid champion,” Thiem said of Zverev. “He consistently performs well there, particularly with the altitude. I’ll also be keeping a keen eye on the Spanish players competing in Madrid. If individuals like [Martin] Landaluce or [Rafael] Jodar continue their amazing form, along with the home advantage, they become very intriguing options.”
