Team Yonex’s Fonseca wins the Next Gen ATP Finals

Jeddah, SAUDI ARABIA - Team Yonex's Joao Fonseca (BRA) is feeling even more ambitious for the future after his thrilling victory at the Next Gen ATP Finals in Jeddah.

Just 18 years old, the Brazilian was the second youngest champion in history at an exclusive tournament contested only by the season's eight leading 20-and-under players. While he was the lowest ranked player in this year's field, as well as the youngest, Fonseca went undefeated during his five matches at the King Abdullah Sports City, with the advanced spin performance of his VCORE racquet helping him to produce his best.

Having started the 2024 season ranked outside the top 700 in the ATP Rankings, Fonseca will begin 2025 inside the top 150, and with a new belief in his tennis and what he can achieve in this sport.

In 2025 and beyond, Fonseca will continue chasing his dream of becoming the World No. 1. Fonseca reflected on an "amazing year", during which he has improved mentally and physically. "I am proud of myself, but of course I want more," Fonseca said. "My dream is to become No. 1. Of course, now after winning the Next Gen ATP Finals, 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."

Fonseca has shown he can handle the pressure of a big occasion, such as when he had to come from a set down in the final against Learner Tien, at a tournament where matches were the best of five shorter sets, with four games winning a set. "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," he said. "I need to believe when I go to a tournament that I can win. But now I have won it I am thinking, 'Wow, I made it'. I am very proud of myself."

Road to the final:

Group match: Beat Arthur Fils 3-4(9), 4-2, 4-1, 1-4, 4-1

Group match: Beat Learner Tien 4-0, 4-0, 1-4, 4-2

Group match: Beat Jakub Mensik 3-4(4), 4-3(8), 4-3(5), 3-4(4), 4-3(5)

Semi-final: Beat Luca Van Assche 4-2, 4-2, 4-1

Final: Beat Learner Tien 2-4, 4-3(8), 4-0, 4-2

Joao Fonseca (BRA) | VCORE 98 [LINK] / POLYTOUR STRIKE125 [LINK]

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