MONTE-CARLO – Dominic Thiem sent ripples through the tennis world last week with an announcement hinting at a return to the sport. Speculation ran rampant, ranging from a potential coaching role to a broadcasting career. On Monday, the 32-year-old Austrian clarified the nature of his “comeback,” revealing a surprising twist: he’ll be acting as a virtual coach for some of the world’s top players – Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, and Novak Djokovic – within the ATP Fantasy App.
The announcement, initially reported by laola1.at, quickly dispelled any notions of a return to competitive play. Instead, Thiem is lending his expertise to a fantasy tennis platform, offering fans a chance to test their own strategic skills against the 2020 US Open champion. The ATP Fantasy App allows users to assemble their own virtual teams and compete against friends, family, and tennis enthusiasts globally.
“Sign up and see if you can beat my team,” Thiem encouraged, according to the ATP’s official website. “Show that you are a true tennis expert.”
A New Role for a Former Grand Slam Champion
Thiem’s career has been marked by both spectacular highs and challenging setbacks. He reached a career-high ranking of world No. 3 in March 2020, culminating in his breakthrough US Open title that same year. Prior to that, he was a consistent threat on clay, reaching the French Open final in both 2018 and 2019. However, a persistent wrist injury derailed his momentum, leading to a significant drop in form and ranking. According to Wikipedia, Thiem officially retired from professional tennis in 2024.
This foray into the digital realm represents a new chapter for Thiem, allowing him to remain connected to the sport he loves in a different capacity. While he may no longer be battling on the court, he’s now challenging fans to prove their tennis acumen through the ATP Fantasy App. It’s a clever marketing strategy for the app, leveraging Thiem’s recognizable name and competitive spirit.
What is ATP Fantasy?
For those unfamiliar, ATP Fantasy is a game where participants build a team of players competing in ATP Tour events. Points are awarded based on a player’s performance in real matches, and users compete against each other in leagues. The game tests a player’s knowledge of the tour, their ability to predict player form, and their understanding of tournament dynamics. It’s a popular way for fans to engage with the sport on a deeper level.
The timing of Thiem’s involvement coincides with the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters, a prestigious ATP Masters 1000 tournament. The tournament, currently underway, features many of the world’s top players, including Alcaraz, Sinner, and Djokovic – the very players Thiem is virtually “coaching” within the app. This provides a timely and relevant platform for promoting the game and attracting new users.
Thiem’s Recent Activity and Return to Form
While this latest venture is a virtual one, Thiem has been showing signs of a return to form on the court. According to the ATP Tour, he earned his first win at an ATP Masters 1000 event since 2021 on Monday, overcoming Richard Gasquet 6-1, 6-4 at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters. This victory marked a significant milestone for the Austrian, who had lost his previous five matches at this level, with his last Masters 1000 win coming in Rome in May 2021 before his wrist injury.
That win in Monte-Carlo followed a run to the quarter-finals in Estoril last week, indicating a positive trajectory for the former top-10 player. He’s clearly working his way back into competitive shape, and while a full-time return to the tour seems unlikely given his retirement, these performances suggest he still possesses the skills and determination that made him a Grand Slam champion.
The ATP Tour reported Thiem stating after his win against Gasquet, “At the start I played very well…It is important to secure matches and you only get them if you win, so last week was a very solid step with the quarter-finals. Here it is very nice to win a match, and it is my first win at an [ATP Masters] 1000 tournament for a long time.”
Looking Ahead
Thiem’s next challenge in Monte-Carlo is a match against sixth seed Holger Rune. Whether he can continue his winning streak remains to be seen, but his recent performances suggest he’s a player to watch. Beyond the court, fans can now challenge his virtual coaching prowess within the ATP Fantasy App.
The ATP Fantasy App is available for download on both iOS and Android devices. For those looking to test their tennis knowledge and compete against a former Grand Slam champion, it’s a unique and engaging opportunity. The Monte-Carlo Masters continues this week, offering plenty of opportunities to refine your fantasy team and climb the leaderboard.
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