TENNIS
João Fonseca became Next Gen Finals champion beating American Learner Tien
From an illustrious unknown to a new tennis phenomenon. This was the distance that young tennis player João Fonseca covered when he became champion of the Next Gen Finals this Sunday (22), in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, by beating the American Learner Tien.
Winner of the tournament that brought together the eight best tennis players in the world under 20 years old, he is now being compared to the Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz (number 3 in the ranking) and also to Jannik Sinner, leader of the ATP list. Both also won the trophy in previous editions.
When asked about the topic, the Rio native did not hesitate to comment on the new reality. Despite feeling encouraged by the expectations he created in the press and fans, he soon imposed a limit. “I just want to be João and make my career”, said the tennis player.
Impacted by the achievement, the 18 years and four months old athlete raised the question of comparison with a national culture. “Here (in Brazil), every young person who achieves great things is soon seen as promising. I want to play my tennis, live the sport, continue my routine. These useless comparisons (with the athletes who won the Next Gen), of winning a tournament at the age of 18 and a few months doesn’t cross my mind.
Fonseca, however, also sees positive points in encouraging people’s expectations of being among the best. “If they followed a path like this, why can’t I do it too?”, he asked.
“Things happen. I talked to my parents and gave up going to college. I know I would learn very good things there, but I don’t regret choosing a sports career”, commented the tennis player
Despite his short career, Fonseca already has important brands. Born in 2006, in Rio de Janeiro, and currently 145th in the world, he was champion of the US Open youth last year. Furthermore, he ends the year as the first South American to win a Next Gen Finals.
What will happen from now on, Fonseca himself doesn’t care much about knowing. For now, what he wants is to train and conquer his space the way he likes most: on a tennis court.
