Joao Fonseca: The New Tennis Star of Brazil

By V. Messana

18-year-old and making history. Brazilian tennis player, João Fonseca is currently ranked 145th in the world. The young talent stands out as one of the most promising young players in the world of tennis.
 
“It’s incredible how much I’ve improved physically and mentally,I’ve been very strong mentally, winning matches against Top 50 and Top 20 players. I’m proud of myself, but of course, I want more. My dream is to become number 1.” – Joao Fonseca
 
Born in Rio de Janeiro in 2006, Fonseca had a remarkable junior career before turning professional. He started playing tennis relatively late, at age 11, after switching from futsal, which he quit due to an injury. From an early age, he showed talent in various sports, including soccer, swimming, and judo, but it was in tennis that he found his true passion. Despite his late start, Fonseca quickly made a name for himself in tennis. In 2022, he was a key player for the Brazilian team that won the Junior Davis Cup, showcasing his potential in international competitions. In 2023, he reached the top of the junior world rankings, becoming the first Brazilian to finish a season as world number 1. In addition to his US Open Junior title, Fonseca was the Australian Open doubles runner-up and reached the quarterfinals at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, further solidifying his reputation in junior tennis. The number of sponsors Fonseca has attracted at such a young age reflects not only his athletic potential but also his ability to engage brands and expand tennis’s popularity in Brazil.
 
“Fonseca is bringing back the pride of cheering for Brazil on the tennis courts.” - Ivan Martinho, a sports marketing professor at ESPM
 
Joao is now fully focused on his professional career. He has already started competing in ATP tournaments and is receiving international attention for his performances. This last month during the Australian Open, the player called the attention of many tennis fans when winning from the world 9th, Andrey Rublev, and proceeded to the second round of the event. With talent, determination, and a winning mindset, Fonseca has everything it takes to become one of the biggest names in world tennis and truly represent the essence of Brazil out there.