Joao Fonseca ‘Very Excited’ to Face Carlos Alcaraz for First Time: “It Will Be Special Moment”

World No.1 Carlos Alcaraz is chasing his second title at the Miami Open.

Joao Fonseca ‘Very Excited’ to Face Carlos Alcaraz for First Time: “It Will Be Special Moment”

Joao Fonseca, Carlos Alcaraz (Image via X/Carlos Alcaraz Brasil)

In Short
  • Joao Fonseca will face Carlos Alcaraz for the first time in an official tournament at the Miami Open.
  • Fonseca expressed excitement about competing against the World No.1, aiming to gauge his level against top players.
  • Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have dominated recent tournaments, winning the last nine Grand Slam titles.

Joao Fonseca faced Carlos Alcaraz in an exhibition event. But now the two youngsters will clash for the first time in an official tournament.

On Friday (March 20), Alcaraz will start his campaign at the Miami Open against the Brazilian ace. Fonseca has already faced World No.2 Jannik Sinner in the fourth round of Indian Wells, which the Italian won after tough straight sets.

Following his three-set win over Fabian Marozsan in the first round, Fonseca sat for an interview with Tennis Channel during which he made his feelings known about the upcoming blockbuster clash.

Of course, very excited, it’s just special…as me as a second year playing the tour and now facing No.1 in the world. Last tournament, I faced No.2 Jannik, now Carlos…it’s gonna be great to see where I am, how close I can be…to see my level. I like to play against the best and try to learn, try to figure out how they play, how they deal with pressure. It’s just gonna be special moment for me, great opportunity.

Fonseca made his Miami Open debut last year and progressed to the third round. His best performance in a Masters 1000 event was at this year’s Indian Wells.

Fonseca is chasing the third title of his career and his first of the season. Last year, after winning his career’s first tour-level title at the Argentina Open, he clinched the Swiss Indoors to win his first ATP 500 trophy.

Jack Draper says players have to play aggressive tennis to challenge Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner

Alcaraz and Sinner are dominating so much on the tour that they have won the last nine Grand Slam titles. This year, after knocking out Alexander Zverev in the longest Australian Open semifinal, Alcaraz upset Novak Djokovic in the final to become the youngest Career Grand Slam champion.

Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner
Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner (Image via X/Carlos Alcaraz 4K, Jannik Sinner HQ)

He continued his winning streak at the Qatar Open, defeating Arthur Fils. But his streak came to an end in the Indian Wells semifinal, where Daniil Medvedev clinched a straight-set win before he lost to Sinner in the final.

Jack Draper, who lost to Medvedev in the quarterfinals, said in his pre-tournament press conference in Miami that players have to change their game and be more aggressive to challenge the duopoly of Sincaraz.

Well, look, I think they know with what Alcaraz and Sinner are doing, and the way they’ve been playing at the top of the game for a while now — there comes a point where you have to change and you have no choice.

Draper will face Reilly Opelka in his opening round. The 2025 Indian Wells champion has never progressed beyond the second round in Miami.

For top players like Daniil, like Zverev, they’re probably sick and tired of losing in the later rounds of tournaments to guys who are playing in such an aggressive way, and they’re really going out to win. And that’s the way tennis is now — you’ve got to play to win, instead of letting the winning happen. That’s what I’d say.

Jack Draper added

Sinner’s opening round opponent is Damir Dzumhur. The four-time Grand Slam champion will be bidding to complete the Sunshine Doubles as well as win his second title in Miami. He finished as a runner-up in the 2021 and 2023 Miami Open finals and lifted the title in 2024 against Grigor Dimitrov. Alcaraz is also a former champion in Miami (2022).

Alcaraz could meet Draper in the quarterfinals, while Sinner could face Medvedev in the semifinals. Sinner and Alcaraz have yet to face each other since the 2025 ATP Finals.

Also read: Rising Sensation Moise Kouame Reveals Huge Novak Djokovic ‘Secret’ After Miami Open Win