João Fonseca has experienced, in nine days, regarding the world of tennis, hostility and applause in some of his most shrill versions. Successful in Athens and cheered in San Francisco, the 19 -year -old Brazilian took important steps in an attempt to establish himself as one of the main names of the sport.
On the weekend of the 13th and 14th, the carioca commanded Brazil in the victory over Greece, by the Davis Cup, in front of an outlined audience at the Athens Olympic Stadium. He embraced the provocations, sought to return them and closed the confrontation with a great victory over Stefanos Tsitsipas, 27, former number 3 of the world (and current 27th).
Fonseca lost the decisive set by 5/3, but was more ready than the experienced rival at the time and took the best for 2 sets to 1, partial 6/4, 3/6 and 7/5. “I played my best sneakers at the most important moments. It was a superimportant match, probably one of the most important I’ve ever played,” he said.
From the competitive tennis João left for a different week, festive tennis. The Laver Cup media, created by Swiss star Roger Federer and Brazilian businessman Jorge Paulo Lemann, is not worth points in the world ranking, but an invitation to the competition represents prestige in the world circuit.
The 2025 edition took place at the Chase Center in San Francisco. A team formed by European players faced one of athletes from the rest of the world, in a pass or pass. Held from Friday (19) to Sunday (21), the matches had increasing value in the scoring system, so that the title decision was for the last day.
The overall result mattered little, although the two -sided members affected great commotion at each point. Fonseca (42nd in the world) was a member of the World team, alongside Taylor Fritz (USA, 5th), Alex de Minaur (AUS, 8th), Francisco Cerúndolo (ARG, 21st), Alex Michelsen (USA, 32) and Reilly Opelka (USA, 62).
The technicians of this team were the American Andre Agassi and Australian Patrick Rafter. On the other hand, in Team Europa, Frenchman Yannick Noah and the Englishman Tim Henman commanded Carlos Alcaraz (ESP, 1st), Alexander Zverev (Ale, 3rd), Holger Rune (DIN, 11th), Casper Ruud (Nor, 12th), Jakub Mensik (TCH, 17th) and Flavio Cobolli (ITA, 25).
“It’s a pleasure to be with these guys,” said John, who was cast for a match. Inspired, he showed precision in the blows, especially his powerful right, and defeated Flavio Cobolli by 2 sets at 0, partial 6/4 and 6/3. More than displaying his talent, he was part of a select group, living with the ranking leaders and celebrating the triumph with an Agassi bustle.
Retired in 2006, 12 days after the birth of Fonseca, Agassi hugged the boy in San Francisco. He vibrated with good plays shouting in Portuguese “Vamooos”. And, along with the other members of the World team, pulled a choir, imitating the Brazilian chase center fans: “Joããããão… Fonseca!”.
Everything was part of the entertainment offered to the public in the United States, an audience that included NBA basketball stars. But close contact with sports elite, past and present figures seems to have done well to Carioca, who received multiple praise for the blows and also for the mentality.
“He is confident. He does not seek the validation of anyone,” summarized Agassi, who has eight Grand Slam titles, distributed among the four main tournaments of the circuit.
Rafter, double champion of the US Open, was even more effusive in his Brazilian assessment. Although he pointed out that his game has points that can be improved, he observed in the young man the willingness and humility to listen.
“Incredibly mature, very good brain for tennis. He is calm, open to suggestions, open to learn. And fast to answer, fast to learn. Next year, at this time, he will be a great player. In two years, he will be exceptional because he has the ability to learn and wants to keep learning. He is not ready,” said the Australian.
Surrounded by prominent figures of the circuit, João began to treat some of them with greater intimacy-was referred to Francisco Cerudolo as Fran and even assisted in the service of Minaur after an ear injury. And tried to listen, especially in contact with old sports champions.
“We have to get things done by these legends and put it in the head. These are details that only the experience really brings. [Agassi] and PAT [Rafter]. What I can say is that I’m just listening. Not copying, but gaining experience with them and learning a lot, “he said.
Fonseca also had contact with Roger Federer, 20 times champion of Grand Slam tournament. At this time, it was allowed to be more a tiete than an aspiring number one in the world.
“It was a pleasure, an opportunity. It’s something every child who loves tennis dreams. When you find your idol, it’s amazing. When they told me I would find him, my hands started sweating, I was so nervous. We had a fun conversation, he’s a superlegal guy.”
