Joao Fonseca is continuing to adapt to his first full year on the ATP Tour at just 18-years-old.
Fonseca won his first ATP title at the Argentina Open in February, evoking reactions from many people across the sporting world including Carlos Alcaraz.
Since then the Brazilian has been backed to achieve big things, with Fonseca even predicted to make the ATP Finals at the end of the year.
While all of these claims about the teenage sensation have been complimentary, Grigor Dimitrov suggested they could damage Fonseca in the long run.
However, it seems as though Fonseca is very aware of the challenges that he will face in the coming years.
What Joao Fonseca has noticed about top players on the ATP Tour
Fonseca will be making his Miami Open debut this year, with the world number 60 opening his campaign against another highly rated young star in Learner Tien.
This is the second big meeting they have had in a number of months, with Fonseca beating Tien to win the ATP Next Gen Finals title in Jeddah last year.
Ahead of his first match in Miami, Fonseca spoke to Tennis TV about what he has noticed separates the top players on the ATP Tour to the rest.
Fonseca also mentioned his personal changes, and compared his physique to this time last year.
“When you’re in the top 100, the difference between the top 100 guy and the top 20, top 10 is the consistency, the mental part,” said Fonseca.
“Of course there is the physical part, but this I’m going to get by time. Joao from a year ago was so thin and couldn’t have a muscle and now I’m much better, feeling much better on the court doing the five sets at the Grand Slams really fine.
“So, I really had a good evolve in this and and on the mental part it’s going to come with experience. It’s my second year on the tour, so having these new experiences, my first time here [Miami Open], so it’s always the first time at the big tournaments, so just enjoying every moment and getting to know a new tournament.
“So, I think that’s the mental part playing against good players, top 50, top 20, maybe a top 10 player, so yeah being in these places I’m going to get more experience and this mental part is going to be stronger.”
Joao Fonseca’s Record vs Current Top 20 Players
Winning the Argentina Open is not the only notable moment of the highly promised young stars year so far, with Fonseca beating Andrey Rublev at the Australian Open.
This was Fonseca’s first ever main draw match at a Grand Slam tournament, beating the world number nine in impressive straight sets fashion.
That is not the only time that Fonseca has beaten a top 20 ranked player, having two victories over current world number 18 Arthur Fils.
However, more recently Fonseca has lost to Jack Draper at Indian Wells, before he went onto win the title, as well as Ugo Humbert.
| Year | Tournament | Opponent | Result |
| 2024 | Rio Open | Arthur Fils (18) – World number 36 at the time | Fonseca beat Fils, 6-0 6-4 |
| 2024 | ATP Next Gen Finals | Arthur Fils (18) – World number 20 at the time | Fonseca beat Fils, 3(9)-4 4-2 4-1 1-4 4-1 |
| 2025 | Australian Open | Andrey Rublev (9) – Same ranking now | Fonseca beat Rublev, 7-6(1) 6-3 7-6(5) |
| 2025 | Davis Cup | Ugo Humbert (20) – World number 15 at the time | Humbert beat Fonseca, 7-5 6-3 |
| 2025 | Indian Wells | Jack Draper (7) – World number 14 at the time | Draper beat Fonseca, 6-4 6-0 |
Fonseca will play his first match at the Miami Open against Tien on Stadium Court.
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
