Teen sensation Joao Fonseca set for phenomenal 314-place leap in ATP Rankings – ‘I’m living a dream’

Shahida Jacobs 23 Feb 2024 9:03 AM

Joao Fonseca (BRA) in action

The Joao Fonseca juggernaut reached the quarter-final of the Rio Open on Thursday and the teenager is now set for an incredible surge up the ATP Rankings.

Just a day after upsetting seventh seed Arthur Fils in the opening round of the ATP 500 event, the 17-year-old followed it up with a 6-4, 6-4 victory over former Wimbledon quarter-finalist Cristian Garin to reach the last four of his home event.

Fonseca Milestones

– Fonseca’s win over Fils was his maiden ATP Tour-level win in only his second match. The Brazilian lost his opening match at the 2023 Rio Open.

– The teenager is the youngest Brazilian to reach the quarter-final of an ATP Tour event, beating the previous mark of Gustavo Kuerton by some distance as the former world No 1 was 19 when he reached the last eight in Croatia in 1996.

– The Brazilian became the second-youngest player to reach an ATP 500 quarter-final since the series was launched in 2009. Fonseca is 17 years and six months while Alexander Zverev was 17 years and two months when he reached the last eight in Hamburg in 2014.

– Fonseca is also the first South American player under 18 to reach an ATP event quarter-final since Argentina’s Juan Martin del Potro in Umag 2006.

Fonseca Rankings Leap

But one of the biggest achievements for Fonseca will be his rise up the ATP Rankings on the back of his Rio Open run. The teenager started the event at No 655 in the world with 49 points to his name, but he is set to rise more than 300 places after picking up 100 points.

He is currently projected to rise 314 places which will see him move up to No 342.

“I’m living a dream and I haven’t realised what I’ve achieved yet,” the youngster said after his latest win. “But I wanna keep dreaming, I’m really happy with my path up until now but I want more.

“I’m happy with the way I’ve been playing and how I grew this past year not only technically but also mentally and physically. I can’t thank my team, my family and friends enough.”

He could move into the top 250 if he wins his next clash against qualifier Mariano Navone and should the youngster go all the way and win the title, then he could jump to No 111 in the ATP Rankings.

“Navone is an old acquaintance, we played a challenger a few years ago and I won my second match against him,” Fonseca said.

“I know it’s going to be a very tough match, he’s an Argentinian, runs a lot and hits a lot and he’s also in a great place right now.”