Game plan
Roger Federer v Dominic Thiem
Every number combines what Roger Federer does well with what Dominic Thiem allows, each measured against the tour average and shrunk toward it when the sample is thin. Flip perspective
Forecast
Each player's serve and return strength is fitted against every opponent they were charted against, so a record built on weak opponents counts for less. At least one of them is no longer active or has too little charted in the last three seasons, so both are compared on their careers. The result is then nudged by Roger Federer's record against Dominic Thiem's tactical lookalikes and in their charted head-to-heads (lookalikes: −0.1 on serve, −2.9 on return vs expectation (4259 points); head-to-head: −1.9 on serve, −2.1 on return vs expectation (1086 points)). A game-by-game Markov chain turns point odds into match odds; the 90% range covers the uncertainty in the two strengths, not the nudges. Charted matches lean toward big events, so treat this as a scouting estimate, not a betting line.
Head to head, per 100 shots
| Career | Roger | Dominic |
|---|---|---|
| Direction choice | +0.04 ±0.02 better than 68% | +0.12 ±0.03 better than 83% |
| Shot selection | +0.18 ±0.03 better than 72% | −0.28 ±0.08 better than 25% |
| Execution | +0.08 ±0.09 better than 72% | +0.04 ±0.20 better than 71% |
| Points left on the table | 2.74 ±0.04 lower than 35% | 2.48 ±0.05 lower than 63% |
Each player's career against an average tour player in the same position, adjusted for opponent strength, with a 90% margin (shots clustered by match). Points left on the table is the gap to the best-value direction for the same stroke, so lower is better. Percentiles are within each player's own tour. A side is highlighted only when the gap is larger than the margin on the difference.
Serve plan
The share of points the server wins when a first serve lands in that direction (hover a rate for its 90% interval; ± is the 90% margin). "Matchup" combines the server's rate with how this returner handles that serve. "Optimal" is the mix that wins most against this returner once they start reading a habit, at the response measured across the tour, and only within the range servers' habits actually vary. The gain over the current mix is how exploitable that mix is.
Roger Federer serving
Deuce court
| 1st serve | Now | Roger wins | v Dominic | Matchup | Optimal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wide | 46% | 76% | 73% | 76.1%±1.6 | 41% ▼ |
| Body | 8% | 68% | 63% | 68.2%±3.4 | 0% ▼ |
| T | 46% | 81% | 73% | 79.5%±1.5 | 59% ▲ |
Optimal v Dominic Thiem: +0.4±0.3 per 100 first serves (faults included) over the current mix. Serving T every time would read +2.4 per 100 first serves in before the returner adjusts.
Ad court
| 1st serve | Now | Roger wins | v Dominic | Matchup | Optimal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wide | 56% | 78% | 72% | 77.4%±1.5 | 69% ▲ |
| Body | 6% | 64% | 65% | 65.9%±4.1 | 0% ▼ |
| T | 38% | 76% | 72% | 75.8%±1.9 | 31% ▼ |
Optimal v Dominic Thiem: +0.5±0.3 per 100 first serves (faults included) over the current mix. Serving wide every time would read +1.3 per 100 first serves in before the returner adjusts.
Dominic Thiem serving
Deuce court
| 1st serve | Now | Dominic wins | v Roger | Matchup | Optimal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wide | 47% | 73% | 69% | 70.1%±1.8 | 60% ▲ |
| Body | 5% | 61% | 63% | 60.6%±4.7 | 0% ▼ |
| T | 48% | 74% | 70% | 69.7%±1.9 | 40% ▼ |
Optimal v Roger Federer: +0.3±0.3 per 100 first serves (faults included) over the current mix. Serving wide every time would read +0.7 per 100 first serves in before the returner adjusts.
Ad court
| 1st serve | Now | Dominic wins | v Roger | Matchup | Optimal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wide | 52% | 71% | 68% | 66.4%±1.8 | 65% ▲ |
| Body | 7% | 64% | 61% | 61.9%±4.4 | 0% ▼ |
| T | 40% | 71% | 67% | 66.1%±2.2 | 35% ▼ |
Optimal v Roger Federer: +0.3±0.3 per 100 first serves (faults included) over the current mix, inside the 90% margin. Serving wide every time would read +0.5 per 100 first serves in before the returner adjusts.
Return plan
Value of each return, in points per 100 returns against an average return of the same serve (direction, court, surface): the tour's result with that return, the returner's own edge with it, and what this server gives up when it comes back to that side. Returns with no charted direction are left out, so values compare with each other rather than with zero. Depth isn't a choice here: missed returns have no depth. Serve quality isn't charted, so a block through the middle partly reflects the serve that forced it.
Roger Federer returning
1st serve to the forehand
| Return | Now | Tour | Own | v Dominic | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FH through the middle | 49% | +4.3 | +0.3 | −1.2 | +3.3±0.9 |
| FH down the line | 25% | +1.7 | −0.4 | −1.3 | ±0.0±1.8 |
| FH crosscourt | 17% | +5.5 | −0.6 | −1.6 | +3.3±1.9 |
| FH slice through the middle | 5% | −4.2 | +2.8 | −1.6 | −3.0±1.6 |
| FH slice down the line | 2% | −4.3 | +1.9 | +1.2 | −1.1±2.9 |
| BH inside-in | 0% | +7.7 | −1.6 | +0.8 | +6.8±2.8 |
Lean BH inside-in: +4.8±2.9 per 100 returns v the current mix (11918 returns charted)
1st serve to the backhand
| Return | Now | Tour | Own | v Dominic | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BH slice through the middle | 26% | −4.2 | +2.2 | −1.9 | −3.9±1.1 |
| BH through the middle | 25% | +6.4 | −0.8 | −1.1 | +4.5±0.8 |
| BH slice crosscourt | 23% | +0.5 | +3.3 | −1.4 | +2.4±1.5 |
| BH crosscourt | 14% | +8.8 | −2.0 | +0.8 | +7.6±1.2 |
| BH down the line | 8% | +4.2 | +1.0 | −4.4 | +0.8±2.3 |
| FH inside-out | 0% | +8.6 | +0.5 | −1.3 | +7.8±2.9 |
Lean FH inside-out: +6.3±2.9 per 100 returns v the current mix (16185 returns charted)
2nd serve to the forehand
| Return | Now | Tour | Own | v Dominic | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FH through the middle | 45% | −3.5 | +0.5 | −0.9 | −3.9±1.2 |
| FH down the line | 28% | −1.8 | +1.2 | −0.8 | −1.3±2.6 |
| FH crosscourt | 20% | −0.2 | −1.5 | −3.1 | −4.8±2.6 |
| BH slice through the middle | 2% | −6.9 | +1.5 | −2.7 | −8.1±2.2 |
| BH through the middle | 1% | +0.1 | +0.3 | ±0.0 | +0.4±1.6 |
Lean BH through the middle: +3.9±1.9 per 100 returns v the current mix (3030 returns charted)
2nd serve to the backhand
| Return | Now | Tour | Own | v Dominic | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BH slice crosscourt | 25% | −4.0 | +1.4 | −4.1 | −6.7±1.8 |
| BH through the middle | 22% | −2.9 | −1.4 | ±0.0 | −4.3±0.8 |
| BH slice through the middle | 16% | −11.3 | +1.0 | −2.7 | −13.0±1.8 |
| BH crosscourt | 14% | +1.0 | −2.3 | ±0.0 | −1.3±1.2 |
| BH down the line | 8% | −0.2 | −0.3 | −0.4 | −0.9±2.6 |
Lean BH down the line: +4.7±2.4 per 100 returns v the current mix (11907 returns charted)
Dominic Thiem returning
1st serve to the forehand
| Return | Now | Tour | Own | v Roger | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FH through the middle | 51% | +4.3 | −1.4 | −0.9 | +1.9±0.9 |
| FH down the line | 22% | +1.7 | −1.0 | −2.0 | −1.3±1.8 |
| FH crosscourt | 17% | +5.5 | −1.0 | −0.8 | +3.8±2.0 |
| FH slice through the middle | 6% | −4.2 | −1.0 | −0.4 | −5.6±1.5 |
| FH slice down the line | 2% | −4.3 | −3.2 | −0.4 | −7.8±2.6 |
Lean FH crosscourt: +3.1±1.8 per 100 returns v the current mix (2907 returns charted)
1st serve to the backhand
| Return | Now | Tour | Own | v Roger | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BH through the middle | 34% | +6.4 | −1.0 | −1.4 | +4.0±0.9 |
| BH slice through the middle | 18% | −4.2 | −2.3 | −0.8 | −7.3±1.0 |
| BH crosscourt | 18% | +8.8 | −1.5 | −0.8 | +6.5±1.4 |
| BH slice crosscourt | 13% | +0.5 | −2.3 | ±0.0 | −1.8±1.4 |
| BH down the line | 12% | +4.2 | −4.1 | −3.0 | −2.8±2.2 |
Lean BH crosscourt: +6.5±1.3 per 100 returns v the current mix (3946 returns charted)
2nd serve to the forehand
| Return | Now | Tour | Own | v Roger | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FH through the middle | 48% | −3.5 | −0.5 | −1.3 | −5.3±1.4 |
| FH crosscourt | 29% | −0.2 | +0.8 | −1.5 | −1.0±2.6 |
| FH down the line | 19% | −1.8 | −0.8 | −1.4 | −4.0±3.1 |
| FH slice through the middle | 2% | −12.7 | −0.5 | −0.1 | −13.3±2.0 |
| FH slice down the line | 1% | −9.4 | −0.3 | −1.3 | −11.0±2.8 |
Lean FH crosscourt: +3.0±2.1 per 100 returns v the current mix (802 returns charted)
2nd serve to the backhand
| Return | Now | Tour | Own | v Roger | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BH through the middle | 32% | −2.9 | −1.0 | −0.7 | −4.5±0.9 |
| BH crosscourt | 27% | +1.0 | +1.2 | −0.9 | +1.3±1.3 |
| FH through the middle | 13% | −2.9 | +0.9 | −1.3 | −3.2±1.2 |
| FH inside-out | 9% | +1.0 | +0.2 | −1.4 | −0.3±2.2 |
| BH down the line | 8% | −0.2 | −5.1 | −1.0 | −6.3±3.1 |
Lean BH crosscourt: +4.4±1.0 per 100 returns v the current mix (2564 returns charted)
Rally plan
Edge, in points per 100 shots: the hitter's skill with the shot (own) plus how much the receiver usually gives up against it (theirs), both measured against the tour average.
Roger Federer
Favour
| Shot | Edge | Own | Theirs |
|---|---|---|---|
| FH drop shot to their backhand · rally | +7.7±4.4 | +6.0 | +1.7 |
| BH volley to their forehand · serve +1 | +6.3±4.4 | +4.9 | +1.4 |
| BH drop shot to their forehand · serve +1 | +5.3±4.7 | +7.5 | −2.2 |
| Smash to the middle · rally | +4.7±4.3 | +6.3 | −1.6 |
| Smash to their backhand · rally | +4.4±3.2 | +1.2 | +3.3 |
| FH to their forehand · serve +1 | +3.8±1.0 | +2.7 | +1.1 |
Avoid
| Shot | Edge | Own | Theirs |
|---|---|---|---|
| FH drop shot to their forehand · serve +1 | −3.9±5.3 | −2.2 | −1.7 |
| FH slice to their backhand · rally | −3.6±2.7 | −2.0 | −1.6 |
| BH slice to their forehand · rally | −3.1±2.0 | +2.1 | −5.2 |
| BH to their forehand · rally | −3.0±1.2 | −0.5 | −2.4 |
| FH lob to the middle · rally | −2.9±3.5 | −3.5 | +0.7 |
Dominic Thiem
Favour
| Shot | Edge | Own | Theirs |
|---|---|---|---|
| BH drop shot to their forehand · rally | +3.1±4.2 | +7.3 | −4.2 |
| Smash to their backhand · rally | +2.9±3.5 | +3.4 | −0.5 |
| FH slice to their forehand · rally | +0.9±2.9 | +2.9 | −1.9 |
| Smash to the middle · rally | +0.8±4.6 | +2.1 | −1.4 |
| FH drop shot to their forehand · rally | +0.3±5.5 | −2.7 | +3.0 |
| BH to their backhand · rally | +0.1±0.6 | +0.8 | −0.7 |
Avoid
| Shot | Edge | Own | Theirs |
|---|---|---|---|
| FH volley to the middle · rally | −9.3±4.9 | −4.0 | −5.3 |
| BH slice to their forehand · return | −8.1±2.2 | −5.5 | −2.6 |
| BH slice to their forehand · return +1 | −6.5±2.6 | −1.4 | −5.1 |
| BH to their forehand · return | −6.5±1.8 | −4.4 | −2.1 |
| BH drop shot to their forehand · serve +1 | −6.0±4.7 | −0.9 | −5.0 |
Against Dominic Thiem-like opponents
| Roger Federer v | Matches | Serve pts won | Return pts won |
|---|---|---|---|
| All charted opponents | – | 69.4% | 39.1% |
| Players most similar to Dominic Thiem | 24 | 70.0% | 34.1% |
| Dominic Thiem (charted head-to-head) | 7 | 67.0% | 35.5% |
Similar by tactical fingerprint: Casper Ruud, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Joao Fonseca, Hubert Hurkacz, Lorenzo Musetti, Alexei Popyrin, Laslo Djere, Thanasi Kokkinakis, Jo Wilfried Tsonga, Philipp Kohlschreiber. When two players have rarely met, their records against these lookalikes fill the gap.
Charted head-to-head
- Roger Federer v Dominic Thiem Tour Finals RR · Hard · 10 Nov 2019
- Roger Federer v Dominic Thiem Madrid Masters QF · Clay · 10 May 2019
- Roger Federer v Dominic Thiem Indian Wells Masters F · Hard · 17 Mar 2019
- Dominic Thiem v Roger Federer Tour Finals RR · Hard · 14 Nov 2018
- Roger Federer v Dominic Thiem Stuttgart SF · Grass · 11 Jun 2016
- Dominic Thiem v Roger Federer Rome Masters R16 · Clay · 12 May 2016
- Roger Federer v Dominic Thiem Brisbane SF · Hard · 9 Jan 2016