Back in January, the 22-time Major winner Rafael Nadal became anambassador of the Saudi Tennis Federation. Rafa agreed to promote tennis in this country and visit if a couple of time a year with his coaches.
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Nadal competed at the Six Kings Slam in Riydah in October, losing to Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic. Two months later, the legend embraced another trip to Saudi Arabia, this time visiting the Next Gen ATP Finals in Jeddah.
Rafa spent time with the upcoming tennis stars and gave them valuable advices. Also, the Spaniard attended the title clash between Joao Fonseca and Learnen Tien.
The 18-year-old Brazilian defeated the American 2-4, 4-3, 4-0, 4-2 in an hour and 27minutes. Thus, hebecamethe second-youngest winner of this event after Jannik Sinner! Fonseca entered the draw as the 8th seed and showed his rich talent in Jeddah.
World no. 145 came victories in all five matches, winning the title in style and gathering a boost ahead of 2025. Tien experienced two bagels against Fonseca in their round-robin clash. He fought better in the final and claimed the opening set.
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Learnen missed his chance in the tie break of the second set, losing it and allowing his opponent to gain a massive boost. Joao served well in the rest of the duel and kept the pressure on the other side en route to a notable trophy.
The Brazilian dropped 14 points behind the initial shot and defended two of three break points. He found the rhythm on the return from the third set, providing three breaks from nine opportunities and emerging at the top.
Joao hit 19 winners and unforced errors. He welcomed 29 unforced mistakes from Learnen and outplayed his rival from the baseline and in service winners. The American made a reliable start, securing a break in the first game of the duel and serving well for 4-2.
Tien denied two break points in the second game of the second set and had a chance to build the advantage at 2-2. Fonseca saved a break point and survived until the tie break. The Brazilian played better in the early stages and forged four set points.
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Learnen denied them and created a set point that could have sent it two sets to love in front! Joao saved it with a forced error and took the breaker 10-8 for a massive boost of confidence. Fonseca took charge in the third set, taking three games at love.
The 18-year-old secured a bagel, his third over the American this week, and moved closer to the finish line. They stayed neck and neck in the opening four games of the fourth set. Joao delivered a crucial break in the fifth game after a forced error.
He served for the title at 3-2 and held at 15 after a left-hander's error, falling to the ground and celebrating his career-best moment.
