Joao Fonseca has won the biggest title of his career at the Swiss Indoors in Basel after beating Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the final.
The 19-year-old won in straight sets, besting the Spaniard 6-3, 6-4 to hoist a maiden ATP 500 crown and second tour-level title.
Fonseca is also now the first Brazilian ever to win an ATP 500 title, and the young star will finally crack the world’s top 30 with his triumph.
After his victory, the champion was overcome with emotion and delivered a heartfelt message to his family and team.
Joao Fonseca reacts to winning the Swiss Indoors in Basel
In his speech during the award ceremony, Fonseca said: “First, I need to congratulate Alejandro for this amazing week. He and his team, we know how hard you guys work.
“You have a great family, great team, congratulations to you a lot. I know another final is tough, but keep working, keep the process and for sure the future is bright for you. So keep going.”
Davidovich Fokina‘s loss in the title bout marked his fifth near-miss in an ATP final, four of which have come this season.
- Delray Beach – Runner-up
- Acapulco – Runner-up
- Washington – Runner-up
Fonseca continued: “If I start talking with my team, I’m going to start crying, so I’m going to be quick.
“Thanks a lot for this amazing week for the whole tournament. We know how hard we work every day, so thanks a lot to you guys.
“We made the promise that if we won one of these tournaments, we were going to shave my head. So yeah, soon I’m not going to have hair.
“My family came from Brazil yesterday and arrived one hour before the match. Thanks a lot.
I’m gonna talk, but I can’t look at you guys.
“My parents they just believed in me since I was a kid. It’s a pleasure to be your kid. It’s a pleasure. My agent came from Brazil also, and my uncle, so thanks a lot, and we keep going. It’s the first ATP 500, but not going to be the last, hopefully.
“Now I’m gonna finish, sorry I forgot, I’m a little bit nervous. It’s just my second time here, but thanks a lot to the crowd; it’s a pleasure.
“It’s just crazy that everywhere I go, there’s some Brazilians cheering and calling my name. It’s a pleasure to represent this amazing country. So thanks a lot to everyone who came and cheered for me today.”
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina makes a prediction for Joao Fonseca
Despite another tough loss in a final, Davidovich Fokina showed plenty of class in his runner-up speech when congratulating Fonseca.
He said: “You played unbelievable tennis today. You are the person of this sport.
“You have a bright future for sure. You’re gonna be the next Nole to beat Carlos and Jannik for sure.”
Fonseca will now make his way to Paris for the final Masters 1000 tournament of the year, where he will face Denis Shapovalov in the first round.
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