joão fonseca

Biography

Overview
Fonseca is making his debut with Team World in San Francisco, the youngest-ever competitor in Laver Cup history. Turning 19 in August, his progress has been rapid. In 2023, he won the US Open junior title and attained the world No.1 junior ranking, the first Brazilian to do so. That same year, he made his ATP debut in Rio, and within 12 months, he was not only winning ATP matches but capturing titles, walking in the footsteps of his hero, former world No.1 Gustavo “Guga” Kuerten. In 2024, he went 5-0 to win the Next Gen ATP Finals, joining Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner as the only 18-year-old champions in the event’s history and the first South American to lift that trophy.

Off Court
Born in Rio de Janeiro in August 2006, João picked up a racquet at the age of four at the Rio de Janeiro Country Club, next to his home and a short walk to the Rio Open. He watched the tournament frequently growing up and had front row seats when Rafael Nadal won the title in 2014. His regular excursions to the event encouraged João to pursue tennis professionally, encouraged by his parents Roberta and Christiano, who both played several sports.

Career
In February 2025, Fonseca broke into the top 100, stunning the tennis world by qualifying for the Australian Open and defeating ninth seed Andrey Rublev in straight sets. He captured his first title at Buenos Aires at 18, the youngest South American tour-level champion since Perez-Roldan in 1987 and youngest Brazilian champion in the Open Era. En route he defeated four Argentinians including his opponent in the final, Francisco Cerundolo, who he will join on Team World’s bench in San Francisco. Winning two Challenger tournaments in 2025, Fonseca made his Grand Slam singles main draw debut at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, advancing to the third round at both majors. He started the year ranked No.113 and in July broke into the Top 50. 

2025 Highlights
Winner: Buenos Aires
3R: Roland Garros, Wimbledon, Miami, Cincinnati
2R: Australian Open (as qualifier), Indian Wells, Madrid, Eastbourne