Joao Fonseca is just 18 years old, but the Brazilian can already unabashedly lay claim to being a star of the tennis world. At No. 65 in the ATP Rankings, one of the brightest promises of world tennis touches down in the Spanish capital all set to continue his meteoric rise. He shrinks from distractions or comparisons, but has plenty of ambition and an expectation of greater things to come.
Although his name has been whispered in the locker rooms for some time now, his emergence onto the professional tour early in 2025 exceeded everyone’s expectations. At the Australian Open he came through qualifying and took down a certain Andrey Rublev in a round-one thriller. A few weeks later he claimed his first ATP title in Buenos Aires at just 18 years of age. More recently, in Miami he exhibited a connection with the fans that few other players enjoy. Add to that two Challenger titles and his continuing climb up the rankings – he started the year at No. 145 and is now just two wins away from the Top 50 – and it is quite the cocktail.
“My strength is my mindset and my forehand. I look at my friends in Brazil and I’m the only one that already has a job. I say it’s a job because I travel all year, but I actually really enjoy tennis. I have the mindset to enjoy and learn new things”, said the Brazilian in the Caja Magica, where last year he reached the second round after receiving an invitation from the tournament.
At this year’s Mutua Madrid Open, Fonseca will play his opener in the main draw against qualifier Elmer Moller of Denmark, No.114 in the ATP Ranking. To some it may seem strange that a match between numbers 65 and 114 in the world ranking would be held in the Manolo Santana Stadium, the biggest and most important in Madrid. But those that are more familiar with Fonseca will no doubt understand; the Brazilian is a box of fireworks and he thumps the ball around the court like very few others.
“I think it’s natural. I’ve liked attacking the ball since I was little and hitting winners. When I was 11 or 12, there was no way I would let a ball go past me. I hit a lot into the net and then I got more consistent. But my mindset is still the same. It’s my essence and I won’t stop that. In big points I will keep hitting it hard. It’s a personal trait of mine”, said the player, with something of a warning shot for his opponents this week, starting with Moller. If he beats the Dane, the Brazilian will cross paths with none other than the American Tommy Paul, the eleventh seed in the Caja Magica.
Fonseca is the poster-boy of this new generation, which is chomping at the bit to give the likes of Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner and Holger Rune a run for their money. Brazilian tennis must be licking its chops, it has been waiting for another international superstar ever since Gustavo Kuerten hung up his racket. However, Fonseca would rather not hear the name of the three-time French Open champion. Every time he does, he can feel the pressure. ‘Guga’ casts a long shadow.
“When they say I’m going to be the next Guga, I don’t really like the comparisons. Everyone has their own story and can win different things. I don’t want to be the next Guga, I want to be Joao Fonseca. I hope I can do something close to what he did, but I’m working hard to write my own story”. We hear you Joao.
