Joao Fonseca has become one of the most important topics in the world of tennis in recent weeks. Fans and insiders have been really impressed by his growth and the rise has already propitiated very suggestive comparisons, such as the one with his compatriot Gustavo Kuerten.
After defeating Andrey Rublev in the first round at the 2025 Australian Open, the young Brazilian ace won his first ATP title on the red clay of Buenos Aires at just 18 years old. This player seems to have unlimited potential, and several colleagues have praised him, including 4-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz.
Everyone is convinced that Fonseca is destined to become the third dominator of men's tennis for the next decade along with Jannik Sinner and Carlitos Alcaraz.
Roddick is more cautious about Fonseca
There is an atmosphere of enormous enthusiasm around Joao and the pressure could affect this young talent, who was defeated on his debut at the Rio Open last week showing that he still has many things to learn.
On the latest edition of his famous podcast, former American ace Andy Roddick urged insiders and fans not to overdo it about Fonseca: "In Buenos Aires, Joao won the first of a long series of titles. I have no doubt about this.
At the same time, it is strange to see that Brazil and the whole world have already fallen in love with this player who is still far from the top positions of the ATP ranking.
He lifted his first trophy at just 18 years old, but it was an ATP 250, he didn't reach the semifinals of a Grand Slam tournament or the final of a Masters 1000.
I'm not criticizing him, in fact I really like the way he plays."
Fonseca's rise had already begun in the latter part of last season, when he won the Next Gen ATP Finals in Saudi Arabia.
His 2025 began with victory at the Canberra Challenger, before passing the qualifiers at Melbourne Park without losing a single set.
