What Teenage Prodigy Joao Fonseca Needs To Learn Outlined By Tennis Legend
NewsFriday, 16 May 2025 at 22:34
João Fonseca is one of the most exciting talents in tennis, but four-time Grand Slam champion Jim Courier described an area where he needs more education.
Although already known to many tennis fans before this year, Fonseca generated wider attention by winning the 2025 Argentina Open in Buenos Aires, joining the list of players who have won a title aged 18 or below.
Despite his prowess on clay, Fonseca has lost three consecutive matches in Madrid, Estoril, and Rome. Fabian Marozsan inflicted the most recent defeat in straight sets after a match featuring much powerful hitting.
Courier watched that match at the 2025 Italian Open with interest. Speaking on the Tennis Channel, the American said Fonseca needs to learn how to manage his firepower and play smarter tennis, but that is something his team can help him with.
"There was a huge amount of Brazilians out there, a lot of energy, and it sounded and looked really cool when I was watching it this morning, but it’s easy for an 18-year-old with that much horsepower to want to show it off, but he needs a harness right now."
"That is where his coaching team is going to have to bring him back and educate him. This is all part of the process. He is hugely exciting."
The former ATP world No. 1 does not think Fonseca should be considered a contender for Grand Slams yet. Courier argues that reaching the fourth round at this year's Roland Garros would be a positive tournament for him.
"I think, realistically, a good outcome for him [at Roland Garros] would be the fourth round. He is not going to be seeded and is going to have to battle his way into that type of environment. It’s best of five sets, he has shown in Australia that he can handle that against Rublev. But we shall see. The expectations have changed now, and maybe that’s a part of the situation today [losing to Marozan]."
Although Fonseca has the potential to reach the top, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz are a long way ahead of him. Both men demonstrated that reality with their recent performances at the Italian Open.
Sinner produced a scarcely believable level against Casper Ruud in the quarterfinal to prevail 6-0, 6-1. Demolishing a two-time French Open runner-up and the recent Madrid Open champion like that sent a message to his rivals.
The Italian Open, being Sinner's first in over three months, made his performance even more extraordinary. He had not played since winning the 2025 Australian Open in January because the World Anti-Doping Agency suspended him.
Alcaraz reached his third consecutive clay-court final (he missed the Madrid Open with an injury) by defeating Lorenzo Musetti in Rome. Last month, the Spaniard won the Monte-Carlo Masters but lost the Barcelona Open final to Holger Rune.
Sinner and Alcaraz's form raises questions about whether Novak Djokovic can continue competing against his younger rivals. The tennis legend split from his coach, Andy Murray, a few days ago.
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