The best Brazilian tennis player today and one of the sensations of the new generation of sport in the world, João Fonseca, 19, will participate from July 16th to 18th in the friendly tournament UTS (Ultimate Tennis Showdown) Rio, at the Maracanãzinho gymnasium, in Rio de Janeiro.
The competition was created by Frenchman Patrick Mouratoglou, coach of American Serena Williams, and aims to maintain constant interaction between athletes and the public, creating a dynamic atmosphere with its own rules.
Also confirmed in the tournament is Australian Nick Kyrgios, who was already 13th in the world in 2024 and is currently 900th.
In recent seasons, he has had one wrist surgery and two knee surgeries and is returning to competition at a high level this year.
In addition to them, Argentine Francisco Cerúndolo, 21st in the ATP rankings (Association of Professional Tennis Players); the British Cameron Norrie, 29th; and the Frenchman Ugo Humbert, 30th. The other three names will be released later by the organization.
“I’m very happy to confirm that I’m going to compete at UTS Rio in July. I can’t wait to play at home, especially at Maracanãzinho, which is so special for the locals. I saw images from the last edition of the UTS in France and the atmosphere looked fantastic. I’m sure it’s going to be incredible”, says the number 27 in the world, who is from the capital of Rio de Janeiro.
As it is a friendly tournament, the fans will play an important role during the games, participating and supporting the tennis players.
The competition has stages in nine countries, with matches divided into four sets of eight minutes each. Whoever wins at least three partials wins. If there is a tie, a fifth will be played in a “sudden death” format, in which the first tennis player to score two consecutive points wins.
Among the particular rules are the elimination of the second serve, direct communication between coaches (who use a microphone, so the public can hear the information) and athletes and the use of “bonus cards”, which can multiply the score by three in decisive moments, increasing the unpredictability of confrontations.
The last title, last December in England, was won by Australian Alex de Minaur. He surpassed Norwegian Casper Ruud, 12th best in the world.
This year, João Fonseca achieved his best place on clay at Roland Garros, when he reached the quarterfinals and, along the way, eliminated the Serbian Novak Djokovic, the biggest winner of Grand Slams in the history of men’s tennis, with 24 victories, and the Norwegian Casper Ruud, who was already second in the ranking.
At the start of the season on grass courts, he was eliminated in the first round of singles in Halle, Germany, but was runner-up in doubles to German side Daniel Altmaier this Sunday (21).
This week, he will compete in the ATP 250 in Eastbourne, England, the last tournament before Wimbledon. He will start in the second round of the tournament, on Wednesday (24).
His rival will be the winner of the qualifying duel between the Italian Matteo Arnaldi, 34th in the world and semi-finalist at Roland Garros, and the British Giles Hussey, 293rd placed.
Wimbledon, the third Grand Slam of the season, starts on the 29th. Last year, Fonseca was eliminated in the third round.
Tickets
Tickets for the tournament are being sold by Tichetmaster. On the first two days, prices range from R$55 to R$115. On the third, they range from R$66 to R$138.
Every day there is a ticket for PCD worth R$55.
If the fan wants to buy the combo valid for the three days, the prices vary from R$ 149.50 to R$ 312.50.
In any of the options there is also a fee of 10% of the value for the online purchase.
