One of the biggest moments of 2025 so far is the emergence of Joao Fonseca.
The Brazilian ended 2024 with the ATP Next Gen Finals title in his possession, and this propelled him to success at the start of the season.
The teenager made his main draw Grand Slam debut at the Australian Open, and he put the world on notice with a stunning victory over top 10 player Andrey Rublev.
He has since won an ATP Title and with the European clay court season now underway, Joao Fonseca will aim to make another strong impression.
Jon Wertheim says what other players have said about Joao Fonseca
Fans are keen to see which young players will step up and become one of the world’s best following the success of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
Aged just 21 and 23 respectively, the pair already have five Grand Slam between them and while the Spaniard is the former World number one, Sinner is the current top-ranked player.
But at the age of just 18, Fonseca won the Argentina Open and showed what he is capable of at such a young age.
In fact, Tennis Channel presenter Jon Wertheim thinks the Brazilian is thought of so highly by his peers to the point that he reminds them of a young Alcaraz or Rafael Nadal.
“I go by how other players react and respond to him,” the American said. “Someone said to me about Perricard, I know you are half kidding about him and it’s lovely to have him around, but easy there. This guy is a long way away from being a top 10 player.
“I have not heard that about Fonseca. Other players, whether they have hit with him, or played him or seen him – there is a sense in a Nadal 20 years ago or Alcaraz five years ago kind of way, this guy is really special.
“And I put a lot of stock into what the players who have felt this guy’s ball and been on the other side of the net, how they react to him. Fonseca has really impressed me in a lot of ways, not least the little time it has taken to gain the respect of his peers.”
Where will Joao Fonseca play next?
Fonseca last played at the Miami Open, where he reached the third round.
He opened his campaign by defeating rival and fellow teenager Leaner Tien, before taking out 19th seed Ugo Humbert in straight sets.
Fonseca met his match in Alex de Minaur, and he claimed the first set before the Australian completed a 5-7, 7-5, 6-3 comeback.
Post match, ESPN Brazil via Tenis News reported that Fonseca plans to take a week off, before undertaking two weeks of training in Rio de Janeiro, ahead of competing at the Madrid Open, which commences April 23.
This means he will miss the start of the European Clay court season and tournaments such as the Monte Carlo Masters and the Barcelona Open.
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