Magic Picks, Wimbledon 2026: the choices of Ace Cream and DnaDaTennis

Numbers are never enough. That's why, ahead of Wimbledon 2026, our Ace Cream newsroom sat down with the DnaDaTennis crew and came up with the Magic Picks: nine archetypes, nine names, one single compass, the one of fantasy tennis. No flights of fancy, just reasoned choices based on credits, form and above all the draw. With Alcaraz out due to his wrist and the bracket suddenly wide open, every credit spent well can be worth double.

Here are our nine.

🧙 The wise old man: Mannarino A. (7 cr, Tier 5)

On grass Adrien transforms himself: he slides, slices, breaks up the rhythm and drives anyone who loves to play with power crazy. In the opening round he draws Droguet, a French prospect but still raw on the green, so a first round well within his reach. At 37, know-how at Wimbledon is worth gold, and at 7 credits it's one of those prices that make your head spin: minimal outlay, a guarantee of at least a couple of rounds in a quarter, de Minaur's, that isn't irresistible.

🪤 The trap: Jodar R. (14 cr, Tier 4)

A very hot name after months of growth, but also plenty of unknowns. For him this is effectively the first real adventure on the grass of the big stage, and there are doubts about the physical condition he arrives in. The risk of paying 14 credits for a player who can wave goodbye as early as the first or second round is too high. Nice to dream about, but for this tournament we'll avoid him: the trap is exactly that name that lures you in and then leaves you stranded.

💸 The low budget: Marozsan F. (4 cr, Tier 5)

Few mention him, but Fabian has the hands of a phenomenon and a talent capable of troubling anyone on a good day. In the opener he meets Tirante, a pure clay-court man: on grass that's almost an assist. Four credits for a player like this is a smart little gamble, the kind that, if it catches fire, pays back your outlay in a single round and frees up budget for the top tiers.

🔥 The man of the moment: Cerundolo F. (20 cr, Tier 3)

He comes in as champion at Queen's, where he lifted the trophy beating top-class players on grass. Confidence is sky-high and his game has fit the surface perfectly. Francisco is simply the hottest man in the field right now: this is how you arrive at Wimbledon, as a winner, not hoping for a comeback that isn't there. At 20 credits he's the classic investment for those who want to ride the form of the moment.

💣 The loose cannon: Berrettini M. (8 cr, Tier 5)

Matteo is the most fascinating unknown of the draw: when the serve is working and the body holds up, he flies on grass and becomes a handful for everyone; when his body betrays him, he disappears. The opener is a nail-biter, against a highlander like Wawrinka, but on this surface the Roman starts as the favorite anyway. At 8 credits he's the pure bet: low outlay, very high potential, anxiety guaranteed at every game.

🌱 The surface DNA: Hurkacz H. (6 cr, Tier 6)

Hubi was born for grass: a Wimbledon semifinal on his résumé and a serve that on the green becomes a total weapon, able to hold the short rally against anyone. At 6 credits he'd be an outright steal. The only flaw, and not a small one, is the draw: Ruud right away in the opener, a solid customer. If he gets past that wall, the surface DNA can deliver satisfaction at a ridiculous price.

👶 The wonder kid: Fonseca J. (14 cr, Tier 4)

Joao is 19 and has a forehand that makes noise all across the tour. Grass is still a chapter to be written for him, and that has to be factored in, but the Brazilian's talent is the kind that makes you spend 14 credits with a smile. He's the investment in the future that could become the present at any moment: if he finds his range on the green, the price instantly turns into a bargain.

👑 The king of Wimbledon: Djokovic N. (29 cr, Tier 2)

Seven titles on the most famous lawns in the world: here Novak is simply the king, full stop. Age is creeping up and a few aches are making themselves felt, but with Alcaraz out the draw opens up and experience on these courts is priceless. Twenty-nine credits is a lot, sure, but they're credits of pure guarantee: if you're looking for the solid backbone of your roster, the sovereign of the Championships remains the most reassuring choice.

🏠 The home favorite: Tarvet O. (1 cr, Tier 6)

Oliver comes through qualifying and didn't drop a single set in the seven he played to reach the main draw. At Wimbledon he always feels right at home, backed by a crowd that adores him, and last year he was stopped only by Alcaraz. At 1 credit he's the cheapest bet on the list: the home favorite who, driven on by Centre Court, can hand you heavy points while spending practically nothing.

*These are our Magic Picks, the fruit of shared work between the Ace Cream and DnaDaTennis newsrooms. Choices made with a fantasy-tennis eye: weighed on credits, on form and on the draw. Then, as always, the court has the final say.*