'Gonna shave my head': Joao Fonseca makes startling admission after winning Basel title

Sunday, 26 October 2025 at 18:36

byJordan Reynolds

Joao Fonseca plans to mark the most significant moment of his career so far by making a substantial change to his appearance.

The 19-year-old Brazilian, broadly regarded as one of the best young talents in the world, won his maiden ATP title at the 2025 Argentina Open in February. He grew up on clay, making it unsurprising that the landmark moment came on the surface.

By contrast, Fonseca did not play much on indoor hard courts in his junior years. That meant many were surprised when he skipped the 2025 Shanghai Masters to prepare for the ongoing indoor swing.

That decision seemed even more questionable when Fonseca began the indoor swing with an opening round loss to Botic van de Zandschulp at the 2025 European Open in Brussels before traveling to Basel for the 2025 Swiss Indoors.

Fonseca made a mockery of his form and lack of previous indoor experience by winning the title in Basel. After a dominant performance, he overcame Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 6-3, 6-4, converting three of 13 break-point chances.

During the trophy ceremony, Fonseca surprised the crowd with how he addressed his team. The teenager announced that they had agreed to shave his head if he won a tournament as big as the one in Basel.

"Thanks a lot to you guys. We made the promise that if we win one of these tournaments, we’re gonna shave my head. Soon I’m not gonna have hair."

Fonseca's story is somewhat similar to Carlos Alcaraz's. After winning the 2025 US Open, he dyed his hair blonde and had a shaved head before that during the tournament in New York after getting a haircut from his brother.

The now two-time ATP title champion will look radically different without any hair. If Fonseca goes further and wins either a Grand Slam or a Masters 1000 tournament, who knows what he and his team might do.

Fonseca also spoke more heartfeltly about his parents and coaches. The young star's parents attended the final against Davidovich Fokina, and he was grateful to have them there.

"It is crazy. I want to thank my family and my coaches who helped me achieve this amazing effort. My parents just came from Brazil. They were coming to Paris and changed their flights and came here one hour before the match with my uncles. It is just amazing to have them here for the biggest title of my career."

"They(his parents) were the ones that believed in me. I was thinking about going to university and they said it was my choice and they would be there to support me. I just want to thank them. Since I was young my mum travelled with me. Since I was 11, I only travelled with her, so that title is for her."

Fonseca will go swiftly to the French capital for the 2025 Paris Masters. He has been drawn against Denis Shapovalov, who suddenly retired against Fonseca in the Swiss Indoors quarterfinal. That led to boos from the fans, since the Canadian did not seem injured before retiring.