Zverev made a point of praising the young tennis player’s performance on the court, highlighting Fonseca’s potential on the circuit
João Fonseca said goodbye to the Monte Carlo Masters 1000 after being overcome by Alexander Zverev, current number 3 in the world, in a balanced duel decided in three sets. The 19-year-old Brazilian threatened to win, but ended up defeated by 5/7, 7/6 (7/3) and 3/6, after 2h40m of the match.
Even with the classification, Zverev made a point of praising the young tennis player’s performance on the court, highlighting Fonseca’s potential on the circuit.
I think he is a tremendous talent. All of us at the top know that he is coming and he is coming very, very fast, that he will be among us soon. Complete player? I think he still needs to improve, for sure, but he’s very, very good and a great talent. Without a doubt, over time, he will improve and be among the main players.
The campaign in Monte Carlo reinforces Fonseca’s growth on the international scene. The Brazilian became one of the few in the country to reach the quarterfinals of a Masters 1000, alongside Gustavo Kuerten and Thomaz Bellucci. With his performance, he should rise five positions in the ATP rankings, jumping to 35th position.
Before facing Zverev, Fonseca had already demonstrated competitiveness against elite opponents, facing the likes of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz throughout the year. Now, the Rio native turns his attention to the ATP 500 in Munich, where he will debut against Chilean Alejandro Tabilo, current number 39 in the world.
The confrontation is not the most comfortable. Tabilo had won their previous two matches, including their recent clash in Buenos Aires two months ago, when the Chilean prevailed in three sets. Before that, he had already surpassed Fonseca in 2024, still at the beginning of the Brazilian’s rise on the circuit.
*Estadão Content
