Future Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz rival named by top coach – ‘Give him time’
Joao Fonseca has been highlighted as a potential future rival for Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz by one of the ATP’s leading coaches.
Brazilian ace Fonseca has long been recognised as a player with potential and is currently a name on everyone’s lips after his triumph at the Next Gen ATP Finals in Jeddah last week.
Aged only 18, he is one of just three players to win the Next Gen Finals as a teenager, following in the footsteps of Sinner (2019) and Alcaraz (2021).
Since their early success at the Finals, both Sinner and Alcaraz have gone on to reach world No 1 in the ATP Rankings and claim multiple Grand Slam titles.
The pair were the leading figures in the men’s game in 2024, with Sinner winning the Australian and US Open titles, while Alcaraz triumphed at the French Open and Wimbledon.
The Italian and Spaniard look set to be the ATP’s dominant duo once again in 2025, though Fonseca has been backed to one day challenge them at the very top by Vincenzo Santopadre.
Formerly a coach of Matteo Berrettini and now working with Luca Van Assche, Italian Santopadre believes that Fonseca will move towards the top of the sport within the next few seasons.
“The next one [2025] won’t be the year of the trinity yet. Two more years, at least. Joao Fonseca, to name one,” he said to Tuttosport.
“[Fonseca has] Talent as far as the eye can see, a sea of talent, and he’s growing, even rapidly. He has a bit of Jannik and a bit of Carlitos.
“But he’s still a child. You can see it in his eyes, you can see it from certain reactions he has on the court. He has a good team, serious people.
“Give him time, he has to learn everything. If he finishes in the top thirty this year, he’ll be ready for the future leap.”
ATP Tour News
EXCLUSIVE – Grand Slam legend sends a message to Nick Kyrgios after latest Jannik Sinner outburst
Currently ranked 145th in the world, 18-year-old Fonseca is yet to make the main draw of a Grand Slam or win an ATP title.
However, the manner of his Next Gen Finals triumph, where he saw off older and more accomplished players such as Arthur Fils and Jakob Mensik, has only ramped up the expectations on his shoulders.
Fonseca was asked about comparisons to Sinner and Alcaraz following his victory in Jeddah, and the Brazilian is keen to test himself against the very best sooner rather than later.
He commented: “It is a good pressure. By winning Next Gen, it shows I am on the right path.
“I hope I can do the same or even better than what they have done and are doing and are going to do.
“I look forward to playing with them and I hope I can compete in big matches at Grand Slams. It is where I want to go.”
Fonseca is next set to be in action at Australian Open qualifying, which takes place next week.
Read Next: The 12 men with a 100% win rate in Grand Slam finals – ft. Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner
