Joao Fonseca defeated Learner Tien 2-4, 4-3(8), 4-0, 4-2 to claim the NextGen ATP title in Jeddah. At just 18 years old, he becomes only the second youngest player to achieve this feat, following Jannik Sinner in 2019.
The Brazilian has had a great week, not dropping a single match. Along the way, he defeated top seed Arthur Fils, as well as Jakub Mensik and Luca Van Assche.
His win in Jeddah was the perfect end to a breakout season. The final against Learner Tien was a good test to his mental fortitude, with Fonseca staying calm under pressure, especially in the tight second-set tie-break where he saved multiple set points. His ability to dictate points from the baseline was too much for Tien to handle in the end.
In a heartfelt moment during the post-match interview, Joao Fonseca expressed his gratitude towards Rafael Nadal, saying, "I want to thank Rafa for watching, he is such a legend." In hearing this, the crowd erupted in cheers, recognizing the greatness of the recently retired icon.
Starting the year outside the top 700, Fonseca has had an impressive season, working his way up with strong performances and a persistent attitude. His quarterfinal run at the Rio Open earlier in the year gave fans a glimpse at the capabilities that he demonstrated today. Now, ranked No. 145 in the world, he will head into 2025 with a newfound confidence.
At just 18 years old, Joao Fonseca has already shown us that he belongs on the ATP tour. His win at the NextGen ATP Finals is just the beginning of what seems to be a very bright future. We're ready to see how 2025 pans out for the Brazilian.
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