Brazil has a new tennis star, and it's Joao Fonseca, who became the youngest ATP Tour quarter-finalist in a decade at 17 years.
Carlos Alcaraz plays incredible tennis, and many love to watch it. He hits the ball incredibly well and sometimes defines the laws of physics. Well, meet Joao Fonseca, the Brazilian star who has been doing much of the same for the past few days at the 2024 Rio Open, which he entered as a wild card.
The 17-year-old got a chance to play at his home event in Rio, and he's not disappointed so far, winning two matches and making his way to the quarter-finals. By doing so, he became the youngest Tour-level quarter-finalist in a decade since Alexander Zverev.
Zverev did it back in 2014 in Hamburg at 17 years and two months, with Fonseca doing it at 17 years and six months.
He's joined a pretty epic list of teenage quarter-finalists, though Rafael Nadal still remains the youngest Tour-level quarter-finalist ever with his 2003 Bastad quarter-final. He was 17 years and one month old.
Fonseca's wins were quite impressive as he took down former Rio Open champion Cristian Garin in two sets. In the round before, Fonseca bested Arthur Fils in two sets as well, which was another solid win for the Brazilian.
The Rio native had some wise words after his most recent win, admitting that he's got a long way to go.
"I’m no star. A career is really long. Tennis is a sport built over many years. Right now, I’m just playing tennis, I’m happy and enjoying the moment, and that’s it."
He'll have a pretty decent chance at going to the semi-final as he's facing Mariano Navone from Argentina, a player he bested as a 15-year-old two years ago. With the recent momentum and the crowd behind him, there is a chance.
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