Brazilian tennis prodigy João Fonseca has recently shared insights into his career aspirations and his thoughts on the greatest players in tennis history. The 18-year-old, currently ranked No. 70 in the ATP standings, is already making waves as one of the sport’s brightest young talents.
Fonseca’s rise in the tennis world has been nothing short of impressive. In February 2025, he secured his first ATP title at the Argentina Open in Buenos Aires, where he triumphed over four Argentine opponents in his five matches. His victory was a continuation of a stellar end to 2024, which saw him win all five of his matches at the Next Gen ATP Finals in Jeddah. Carrying this momentum into the new year, Fonseca dominated the Canberra Challenger without dropping a set and earned a spot in the main draw of the Australian Open. There, he stunned the tennis world by defeating Andrey Rublev in straight sets during his Grand Slam debut.
In an interview with Brazilian media outlet Globo, Fonseca discussed his idols and who he believes deserves the title of “greatest of all time” (GOAT) in tennis. Despite Novak Djokovic’s record 24 Grand Slam titles, Fonseca remains loyal to Swiss legend Roger Federer. “Federer. There’s no way to change that,” he stated firmly. “People can argue that Djokovic is the greatest, but for me, Federer is unmatched.” His admiration for Federer is clear, with Fonseca highlighting the Swiss maestro’s timeless legacy.
When asked about his greatest strength on the court, Fonseca identified his forehand as his technical weapon of choice. However, he also emphasized the importance of his mental maturity. “I know when to be courageous, to play a certain way at the right moment,” he said. “Being able to stay strong when I’m tired and maintaining my posture—this mental toughness is one of my best weapons.”
Reflecting on his improvements over the past year, Fonseca highlighted several key areas. “I’m much faster, much more resilient,” he noted. “My serve, especially the first serve, has become more consistent—something that I struggled with before.” He added that his overall consistency has improved significantly, saying, “Before, I was just a kid who hit hard but made a lot of mistakes. Now I’m combining power with consistency, making better movements and focusing on my physique. These are the things I’ve improved the most.”
The rising star also expressed gratitude for the praise he’s received from tennis giants like Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz. “It’s very rewarding to hear that from such respected figures in the sport,” Fonseca said. “It’s just natural when you’re doing great things for tennis, and it only gives me more motivation to keep pushing forward. Hearing players like Alcaraz and Djokovic speak about me makes me feel like I’m on the right track.”
Fonseca’s growth on and off the court, as well as his unshakable confidence in his abilities, is setting the stage for what could be a bright future in tennis. With his combination of raw power, mental resilience, and unwavering admiration for the legends of the game, Fonseca is ready to make his mark in the world of tennis.