Joao Fonseca Reveals ‘Bold Ambition’ for 2026 Season: “I’m Thinking Big”

Joao Fonseca reached his career-best No.24 ranking after winning two ATP titles.

Joao Fonseca Reveals ‘Bold Ambition’ for 2026 Season: “I’m Thinking Big”

Joao Fonseca (Image via X/Wimbledon)

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Joao Fonseca is thinking big. After a breakthrough season, Fonseca is aiming to achieve even more in 2026. Fonseca hogged the limelight for the first time after defeating Learner Tien at the 2024 Next Gen ATP Finals. This year, he lifted his career’s first ATP title by defeating home favorite Francisco Cerundolo at the Argentina Open.

Fonseca next lifted his career’s first ATP 500 title by going past Alejandro Davidovich Fokina at the Swiss Indoors. The 19-year-old also made his Grand Slam main draw debut at the Australian Open and reached the second round.

He was also successful in playing the main draw events of the remaining three Majors, losing in the third round of the French Open and Wimbledon, and in the second round of the US Open. Fonseca started this season outside the top 100, and these performances helped him reach a career-best 24th position on the rankings table. During his interview with Veja, the Brazilian teenager laid bare his plans for the 2026 season.

I intend to break into the world’s top 10. It’s a bold ambition, but I’m thinking big. I also want to achieve consistent results, without ups and downs. In my free time, I want to learn Italian, take a poker course, and manage my money.

Joao Fonseca said

Fonseca has been backed by many from the tennis world to challenge the dominance of World No.1 Carlos Alcaraz and World No.2 Jannik Sinner in the future. Since 2024, Sinner and Alcaraz have swept away the Majors, with the last player other than them to win a Grand Slam title being Novak Djokovic (won the 2023 US Open).

Fonseca will script history as a Brazilian if he wins a Major. Gustavo Kuerten was the only man from Brazil who won Grand Slam titles (won the French Open in 1997, 2000, and 2001).

Fonseca has never met the two Grand Slam champions in official events. But in an exhibition event in Miami during the off-season, Fonseca lost in three sets to the six-time Major champion.

Kei Nishikori on his match against Joao Fonseca

Kei Nishikori has played against Joao Fonseca once. In a year at the Phoenix Challenger, the teenager knocked out the 35-year-old in the semifinals in straight sets. The former World No.4 recently sat for an interview with WOWOW, during which he was asked about his match against the Brazilian sensation.

Joao Fonseca
Joao Fonseca (Image via X/Tennis Channel)

His ball is fast and heavy. He also has a good angle, so I think he’s a player who plays well. He’s incredibly powerful and has a pretty good serve, so I think he’s a symbol of today’s young tennis players. If he could just reduce his mistakes a little more, I think he could easily get into the top 10, or even the top five, and I think he has the personality to reach the top.

Kei Nishikori told WOWOW

In the final of the Phoenix Challenger, Fonseca defeated Alexander Bublik in straight sets. It was his career’s third Challenger-level title.

(Fonseca) threw balls with speeds I’ve never faced before, so I couldn’t let my guard down during the rallies. Any ball that was even slightly soft would be hit back, so I was under constant pressure. I think that kind of strength is something only a young player can have. I’m sure Fonseca will improve.

Kei Nishikori added

Because of his ranking, Fonseca will be a seeded player at the Australian Open next year. The last time he was seen at official events was at the Paris Masters. Fonseca reached the third round, where Karen Khachanov knocked him out in three sets. He finished the season with a 26-16 win-loss record.

Also read: Junior Tennis Player Shares Anecdote About Novak Djokovic’s ‘Aura’: “There Was Absolute Silence”