18-Year-Old Fonseca Eyes World No. 1 Spot After Dominant Next Gen ATP Finals Win

Monday, 23 December 2024 at 21:10

byErik Virostko

Joao Fonseca is the youngest player in the Top 300 on the ATP Tour, and after winning the 2024 Next Gen ATP Finals, he shared his ambitious goals.

There is only one player younger than Fonseca in the Top 500 on the ATP Tour - 17-year-old Justin Engel, who is ranked 394th in the world. Fonseca, on the other hand, is ranked 145th, and he was the lowest-ranked and youngest player at the 2024 Next Gen ATP Finals in Jeddah.

Still, he won the tournament without losing a single match, showing his incredible potential. Glimpses of that were on display already during the 2024 season as he competed in some Tour-level matches, showing that he's capable of challenging higher-ranked players.

After winning the 2024 Next Gen ATP Finals, his confidence rose even higher, and the 18-year-old Brazilian now feels ready for his first proper season on the ATP Tour, with the Australian Open qualifying soon on his schedule.

After his triumph, Fonseca spoke about how much he has improved in the past 12 months, and even though he was happy about his win in Saudi Arabia, he admitted that his goals are much higher, with one of them being the World No. 1 rank.

"If you told Joao at the start of the year that he did all the things he did this year, he would think it is amazing. It is amazing how I have improved physically and mentally. I have been very strong mentally, winning matches against Top 50, Top 20 players."

"I am proud of myself, but of course I want more. My dream is to become No. 1. Of course, now after winning Next Gen, I want to enjoy it this week and relax and celebrate with my family. I want to enjoy the moment and I am very pleased and thankful for this year."

While reaching the World No. 1 rank might take some time for Fonseca, he can start winning big matches relatively soon, and according to his own words, that's something he wants to do.

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The teenager said that he loves to play under pressure, and with the spotlight on him in 2025, he will need to play many matches under some real pressure from the fans.

"I talk with my coach that I like to play big matches in difficult circumstances. I like playing the big guys. I like when I have a difficult match in a big stadium. I love the pressure. I belong on the stage of tennis where you have to be brave, where you have to go for the shot. I think I have improved a lot."

However, he enjoys the pressure. Becoming the second-youngest champion in the history of the Next Gen ATP Finals, and also only third player aged 18, after Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, certainly shows Fonseca's talent, and now he will have to prove it on the biggest stage.

"It is a good pressure. By winning Next Gen, it shows I am on the right path. I hope I can do the same or even better than what they have done and are doing and are going to do. I look forward to playing with them and I hope I can compete in big matches at Grand Slams. It is where I want to go."