Joao Fonseca follows the footsteps of Jannik Sinner after claiming the Next Gen ATP Finals title
Joao Fonseca is the second youngest Next Gen ATP Finals champion in history after a comeback win over Learner Tien.
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Joao Fonseca and Jannik Sinner (images via X)
Joao Fonseca has joined Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz as one of the few players to win the Next Gen ATP Finals at just 18 years old. The young Brazilian remained unbeaten throughout the tournament and defeated Learner Tien in a four-set final. At 18 years and 4 months, Fonseca is the second-youngest champion of the event, with Sinner holding the record as the youngest at 18 years and 2 months. Alcaraz, who won in 2021, was 18 years and 6 months.
Fonseca had an impressive run in the tournament. He defeated Arthur Fils and Jakub Mensik in the round-robin stage before taking down Luca Van Assche in the semi-finals. This set up a final against Tien, who had previously challenged him in earlier rounds.
The final began with Tien taking the first set, but Fonseca fought back to win the second in a close tiebreak. From there, he dominated the match, winning 2-4, 4-3(8), 4-0, 4-2 to claim the title in Jeddah. Despite being the youngest and lowest-ranked player in the draw, Fonseca showed great skill and determination.
Currently ranked No. 145, Fonseca has yet to play in the main draw of a Grand Slam. However, his success at the Next Gen Finals places him in elite company alongside Sinner, the world No. 1, and Alcaraz, a four-time Grand Slam champion.
Joao Fonseca in the league of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz
Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner are already among the best tennis players in the world. Joao Fonseca is starting to make his mark, too. The 18-year-old Brazilian won the 2024 Next Gen ATP Finals with strong performances. He joins Alcaraz and Sinner as the only players to win this tournament at 18—Sinner did so in 2019 and Alcaraz in 2021.
Alcaraz quickly rose to the top after his Next Gen Finals win. Just a year later, he claimed his first Grand Slam title at the 2022 US Open and finished the season as World No. 1. His rapid success set a high bar.
Sinner’s rise was slower. It took him two to three years after his Next Gen win to make a big impact on the ATP Tour. His journey shows that development can take different paths for young players.
Fonseca’s future is now the focus. As he transitions to the ATP Tour, fans wonder if he can fulfill his potential. If he does, he could complete the new “Big 3” alongside Alcaraz and Sinner.
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Fahad Hamid
(669 Articles Published)