Brazilian sensation Joao Fonseca has already doubled career prize money by reaching Next Gen final
Joao Fonseca started the 2024 Next Gen ATP Finals with career prize money of $292,146, but he will have more than double that once the tournament is completed.
The Brazilian youngster has reached the final of the 20 and under tournament in Jeddah after going undefeated during the round-robin phase before winning his semi-final against Luca Van Assche.
The 18-year-old was the last player to confirm his place in the event as he was the eighth qualifier, but Fonseca defeated world No 20 Arthur Fils, world No 48 Jakub Mensik and No 143 Learner Tien in the group stage.
Quite impressive for a player who will finish the 2024 season at No 145 in the ATP Rankings having started the year at No 730.
The teenager played his first-ever ATP Tour match at the age of 16 at the Rio Open in 2023 and he won his first Tour-level match at the same event a year later as he reached the last 16 while he also reached the second round of the Madrid Open.
Also impressive is Fonseca’s earnings over the week as he had collected $253,093 in prize money to before the event to take his career tally to $292,146.
But he is now guaranteed to earn at least $373,480 for his efforts in Saudi Arabia.
“On hard courts, [I’ve never had such a good week],” Fonseca said after the match. “I’m playing a very high level. I’m just very proud of myself and the way that I’ve been with my routine this week, so focused.
“With my family here, with my three coaches, it’s really nice and I hope I can go for the title.”
The Brazilian and the seven other qualifiers all received a participation fee of $150,000 while each round-robin win was worth $36,660.
With his victories over Fils, Mensik and Tien and his participation fee, the Brazilian was assured of a $259,980 payday ahead of the semi-finals, but he has now taken his total to at least $373,480 after picking up another $113,500 for his win over Van Assche.
His overall tally can grow to $526,480 if he defeats Tien in Sunday’s final.
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American Tien won two group matches before beating second-seeded Michelsen in the semi-final and he is guaranteed to win at least $336,820.
“It would be amazing to win. I have one more to go, so I hope I can get it done,” Tien said. “I played Joao a few days ago and it was a rough one, so I think they are both great. There is no easy matches. To have another shot at Joao after losing earlier this week would be pretty cool.”
