Joao Fonseca is 'wired for greatness' according to Serena Williams' former coach
NewsSaturday, 22 November 2025 at 21:00
Joao Fonseca is still very young at 19, but Rick Macci, a Hall of Fame coach who used to work with Serena Williams, is sure he will reach the top.
Fonseca rose to prominence this year. He won his maiden ATP title at the 2025 Argentina Open, defeating home favorite Francisco Cerundolo in a final filled with several intense and exciting rallies.
After mixed results for a few months, Fonseca secured a more significant title at the 2025 Swiss Indoors in Basel. That run included Denis Shapovalov's bizarre, sudden retirement against him, despite not appearing injured.
It is not just those achievements that make many think Fonseca will reach the top. The Brazilian is one of the most entertaining players worldwide, and has hit some astonishing winners with his massive forehand.
Macci does not need any more evidence to determine that Fonseca can become a great player. In an X post, the legendary coach wrote that he is the most complete up-and-coming player on the ATP Tour.
"Fonseca is the real deal. He checks all the boxes because he is the most versatile and up-and-coming complete player with firepower over the past 3 years. He has no Sinner/Alcaraz scar tissue like the rest, and he will fly in soon and create a Big 3 nest."
The American coach's praise became more effusive in a follow-up post. He thinks Fonseca's mentality is among the best and that the teenager will reach the Top 10 in 2026 and move closer to Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
"Fonseca is wired for greatness. Can hurt you in many ways but mentally is a cut above. He is entering pro tennis with two of the most dominate players we have seen but the Brazilian Blaster has extra tools in his pocket and in 2026 will enter the top ten like a rocket."
Despite the attention on him, Fonseca remains grounded. For instance, the Swiss Indoors champion said he did not like being compared to others when Alejandro Davidovich Fokina stated he would become the next Novak Djokovic.
Joao Fonseca was recognized in the 2025 ATP awards
Four players were nominated for the ATP's Breakthrough Player of the Year. Among these was Joao Fonseca, who received recognition for winning two titles and entertaining fans with his electrifying style.
Jack Draper was another nominee for that honor. The Briton won this year's Indian Wells Open title before finishing as the runner-up in Madrid a few weeks later to Casper Ruud. Unfortunately, he ended his season early because of an arm injury.
Valentin Vacherot and Jakub Mensik were the other nominees. Vacherot's run to the 2025 Shanghai Masters title will always be one of the most unexpected and incredible moments in tennis history, especially since he beat his cousin Arthur Rinderknech in the final.
Carlos Alcaraz was among the Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award nominees. He previously won that award in 2023 and has developed a reputation for playing matches in a good spirit, including smiling after participating in epic points.
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