Joao Fonseca explains why he doesn’t like hearing comparisons with Brazilian tennis legend Gustavo Kuerten

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Joao Fonseca has become one of the most talked about names in men’s tennis over the past few months.

You can’t discuss the best young talents on the ATP Tour in 2025 without mentioning a certain 18-year-old Brazilian.

Fonseca beat Andrey Rublev at the Australian Open, sending fans into a frenzy, as many predicted big things for the youngster.

Some players have even suggested that Fonseca could be ranked in the top ten by the end of the year, as expectations are high for the young Brazilian.

Fonseca lost to Ugo Humbert on his tennis return at the Davis Cup last week, 5-7, 3-6, as Brazil fell to a convincing 0-4 defeat against the French.

He’ll make his ATP Tour return in Buenos Aires for the Argentina Open this week, as Fonseca takes on home favorite Tomas Martin Etcheverry in the first round.

Ahead of the tournament, Fonseca spoke to the press, explaining why he doesn’t like hearing comparisons with one of his fellow countrymen.

Joao Fonseca ‘doesn’t like hearing’ comparisons with Gustavo Kuerten and wants to write his own story

During his pre-tournament press conference, Fonseca was asked how he felt being compared to Brazil’s greatest men’s tennis player, Gustavo Kuerten.

“I don’t like hearing comparisons because everyone has their time,” he said.

“Guga [Kuerten] is an idol not only for Brazilian tennis players but for all our people.

“He is an idol as a player, an extraordinary person who has told me fantastic things and they deserve to be listened to.

“Sometimes they tell me I’m the next Kuerten, but I want to be Joao.

“Everyone writes their own story: I want to write mine.”

Kuerten is the only Brazilian player to have won a Major singles title during the Open Era, securing three French Open crowns in 1997, 2000, and 2001.

The nation has desperately searched for the ‘next Kuerten’ over recent years as Brazil continues to struggle for elite talent in men’s tennis.

Brazil currently has just three players ranked inside the ATP top 100, all three of which are currently sitting outside the top 50.

At just 18 years of age, Fonseca is already the second-ranked Brazilian player on tour, only behind 24-year-old Thiago Seyboth Wild.

If he does reach the top ten later this year, as many are predicting, he would quickly become the top Brazilian star in the sport.

Is Gustavo Kuerten the only Brazilian Grand Slam winner?

Kuerten remains the only Open Era Slam winner in Brazilian tennis history, although one player brought home several titles during the ‘Amateur Era’.

Tied for seventh in the all-time Major list, Maria Bueno performed at the highest level during the 1960s.

Bueno competed in 12 Major finals, five of which came against the legendary Aussie Margaret Court.

Bueno won three Wimbledon titles and four US Championships during her time in the sport, as she ended her career on seven Major titles.

The Brazilian won a further 11 Slams in doubles, taking home her final trophy at the 1968 US Open alongside one of her greatest rivals.

Court and Bueno knew each other very well, facing off in five Major finals, with the Australian leading the head-to-head 3-2.

Entering the event as the number three seeds, the pair showed their class as they took home the title, with a 4-6, 9-7, 8-6 victory over the American duo, of Billie Jean King and Rosie Casals.

Bueno passed away after a battle with cancer at the age of 78 in 2018, leaving behind a legacy for millions to look up to.

Seven times a Grand Slam champion, Bueno remains the most successful player from her country and could remain as such for quite some time.