Thiem Shares ATP Fantasy Tips for Madrid, Where He Beat Nadal & Federer

The former World No. 3 offers insights on selecting a winning lineup for the Mutua Madrid Open.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 4:54pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a tennis match or competition, with sharp, overlapping planes of color representing the dynamic action and energy of the sport.Thiem's strategic insights aim to help fans build winning ATP Fantasy lineups for the high-altitude Mutua Madrid Open.Today in Miami

Dominic Thiem, the 2020 US Open champion and former World No. 3, is offering fans tips on how to succeed in the new ATP Fantasy game ahead of the Mutua Madrid Open. Thiem, who has defeated Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer at the Madrid event, is sharing his strategy for selecting a winning lineup, including focusing on players who thrive in the high-altitude conditions and those with home-court advantage.

Why it matters

The ATP Fantasy game allows fans to step into the role of a team manager and earn points based on the real-life performances of the players they select. Thiem's insights provide valuable guidance for fans looking to build a competitive roster for the Madrid tournament, one of the most prestigious events on the ATP Tour.

The details

Thiem plans to keep Alexander Zverev on his roster, as the German has won the Madrid title twice before. The Austrian will also be closely monitoring Spanish players like Rafael Jodar and Martin Landaluce, who have been in strong form lately and will have the home-court advantage at the Caja Magica. Additionally, Thiem notes that the high-altitude conditions in Madrid can benefit certain players, and he will be taking that factor into account when making his selections.

  • The Mutua Madrid Open will be held from April 22 to May 3, 2026.
  • Thiem won his first-round match in the 2026 ATP Fantasy season.

The players

Dominic Thiem

A former World No. 3 player and the 2020 US Open champion, who is offering fans tips on how to succeed in the new ATP Fantasy game.

Alexander Zverev

A two-time champion of the Mutua Madrid Open, who Thiem plans to keep on his ATP Fantasy roster.

Rafael Jodar

A #NextGenATP player from Madrid who recently won his maiden ATP Tour title in Marrakech and reached the Barcelona semi-finals, and will compete as a wild card in Madrid.

Martin Landaluce

A #NextGenATP player from Madrid who reached the Miami quarter-finals, and will also compete as a wild card in the Mutua Madrid Open.

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What they’re saying

“I really enjoy the game. It's made super well, and it's really interesting and nice to see that I follow my team really closely.”

— Dominic Thiem, Former World No. 3

“For sure I will keep Sascha in my team because he won Madrid already twice. He's always playing so well there with the high altitude. I will also keep a closer look at the Spanish players there in Madrid. If there are maybe some players like [Martin] Landaluce or [Rafael] Jodar, they are playing amazing lately, plus home advantage in Madrid. They are super interesting there.”

— Dominic Thiem, Former World No. 3

What’s next

Thiem plans to exchange the injured Carlos Alcaraz for World No. 1 Jannik Sinner in his ATP Fantasy lineup for the Mutua Madrid Open.

The takeaway

Thiem's insights highlight the importance of considering factors like a player's past success at a tournament, the local conditions, and home-court advantage when building a competitive ATP Fantasy lineup. His tips provide valuable guidance for fans looking to maximize their points in the new fantasy tennis game.