Joao Fonseca Sends ‘It’s Time for Revenge’ Warning to Carlos Alcaraz

Joao Fonseca ended his 2026 season early due to an abdominal injury. He last played in the opening round of the Cincinnati Masters, where he defeated Botic van de Zandschulp. But later, he withdrew from his match against Christopher O’Connell.

Fonseca will be seen in action before the end of this year, however. During the off-season, the Brazilian ace is set to compete in an exhibition match in Sao Paolo on 12 December.

The match will be held at Nubank Parque, the home stadium of Brazilian soccer club Palmeiras. He will face none other than Carlos Alcaraz.

Hey guys, this is Joao Fonseca, and I have an invitation for you. After that game in Miami, it’s time for revenge. This time, it will be at home. December 12th, I’ll be in Sao Paulo to face none other than Carlos Alcaraz. It will be really cool. I can’t wait to see all of you. Thanks, and see you in December.

Joao Fonseca said (via Sao Paolo Super Match Instagram account)

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Alcaraz also faced Fonseca in an exhibition event last year. The match, held in Miami, resulted in Alcaraz’s favor in straight sets.

Fonseca has faced Alcaraz once on the ATP Tour. They met in the second round of the Miami Open this year, with Alcaraz winning 6-4, 6-4.

Fonseca was one of the several high-profile names from both the ATP and the WTA who have ended their season early. World No.1 Jannik Sinner ended his season due to a knee injury and last competed in the final of Wimbledon, which he won by defeating Alexander Zverev, also defending his title.

Claudio Pistolesi says Alexander Zverev deserves to stand alongside Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner

Jannik Sinner, because he has ended his season, will lose his No.1 ranking to Alexander Zverev, who will also become the first German since Boris Becker in 1991 to reach the top of the world rankings. Sascha won both the French Open and the US Open, his first two Grand Slam titles.

Because Zverev did not face Sinner, Alcaraz, or Novak Djokovic en route to his two wins, many believe he wouldn’t have taken home these titles had he faced these three players. Alcaraz withdrew from the French Open and Wimbledon with a wrist injury, while Sinner suffered a physical collapse in the second round of the Paris Major.

Sinner skipped the US Open due to his knee injury. Alcaraz returned to action in this event, but his title defense ended at the hands of eventual runner-up Ben Shelton in the quarterfinals. But former ATP player Claudio Pistolesi did not diminish Zverev’s achievements, saying he deserves every milestone he has reached this season.

I have great admiration for Zverev. He’s the type of person who, at the end of his career, will be able to say: ‘I was world number one. I won two Grand Slams – I couldn’t care less about when I won them or how many matches I lost.’

Claudio Pistolesi told Fanpage

Before this season, Zverev had reached three Major finals, all in different seasons. He lost to Dominic Thiem at the 2020 US Open, to Alcaraz at the 2024 French Open, and to Sinner at the 2025 Australian Open.

This world number-one ranking is thoroughly deserved. His team deserves credit for keeping him healthy all this time and for never giving up. He never gave up, and it’s paid off. In my view, by the start of 2027, he deserves to stand alongside Alcaraz and Sinner – not beneath them.

Claudio Pistolesi added

Both Alcaraz and Zverev are in Vienna for the ATP 500 event. Zverev lost to Sinner in last year’s final.

Also read: Iga Swiatek Praised for Making ‘Wise Decision’ by Retired World No.1 After Pole Ends Her 2026 Season