Dominic Thiem, the 2020 US Open champion and former World No. 3, has outlined his priorities for ATP Fantasy ahead of this year’s tournament in New York, putting Carlos Alcaraz at the center of his plans despite the Spaniard returning from a four-month layoff with a wrist injury.
Thiem’s Strategy for ATP Fantasy
Thiem views Alcaraz, the defending champion and current World No. 3, as a cornerstone pick and warns against overlooking top seed Alexander Zverev, particularly with injured World No. 1 Jannik Sinner absent. With fantasy prices tied to the PIF ATP Rankings, he expects Alcaraz’s current position to offer slightly better value than in past seasons.
He advises replacing Sinner with Zverev, citing the German’s strong prospects over best-of-five sets and the scoring impact of his serve. For managers seeking a value option outside the Top 10, Thiem points to World No. 18 Jakub Mensik. The Czech reached his first Grand Slam semi-final at Roland Garros and has already collected silverware in New York this year by winning the mixed doubles title alongside Karolina Muchova. Mensik is listed at eight coins in the game.
Thiem is also weighing Ben Shelton and Novak Djokovic for his lineup. Shelton arrives with momentum from a title in Montreal and extra rest after an early exit in Cincinnati, while Djokovic remains a reliable threat to advance deep at majors.
With the New York crowd set to back home players, Thiem expects several Americans to contend. He sees Shelton and Brandon Nakashima as the most likely to produce the best home result, with Taylor Fritz, Frances Tiafoe, and Tommy Paul also entering the US Open on the back of solid hard-court form.
In conclusion, as fans prepare for the excitement of the US Open, Thiem’s insights offer valuable strategies for approaching ATP Fantasy, highlighting key players to consider for a successful lineup.