Carlos Alcaraz, the reigning world number one, has officially concluded his 2025 season but is already looking ahead to a blockbuster exhibition match in Miami next month.
The Rise of a New Challenger
While Alcaraz and Italian star Jannik Sinner have dominated men's tennis, sharing the last eight Grand Slam titles between them, the Spanish sensation believes a third contender is emerging. That man is 19-year-old Brazilian Joao Fonseca, whom Alcaraz will face for the first time at the Miami Invitational. The pair will also team up with Jessica Pegula and Amanda Anisimova for a mixed doubles tiebreak.
Fonseca has enjoyed a spectacular breakthrough season, rocketing from outside the world's top 100 to a career-high ranking of No. 24. His remarkable year included qualifying for the Australian Open and stunning ninth seed Andrey Rublev in his Grand Slam main draw debut. He quickly followed this by clinching his first ATP title in Buenos Aires and recently secured his biggest career victory at the ATP 500 tournament in Basel.
Alcaraz's Verdict on the Teenage Sensation
In an interview with O Globo, Alcaraz heaped praise on his young rival, highlighting the qualities that make him a special talent. "He's a special and incredible player," said the six-time Major winner. "The power he has is impressive, his serve is very good, something that, for me, when I entered the tour, was what I struggled with the most."
The world No. 1 also commended Fonseca's "brutal forehand" while suggesting that improved mobility would be the key to his continued evolution. Alcaraz emphasised that for a player in his first full year on tour, Fonseca's progress has been exceptional.
Can Fonseca Break into the Elite?
The tennis world has been eagerly anticipating a third player to challenge the Alcaraz-Sinner duopoly, reminiscent of how Novak Djokovic joined Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Alcaraz himself is backing Fonseca to be that player. "What Joao has done this year is truly impressive," stated the two-time Wimbledon champion. "Reaching the top 25 in his first year on the ATP is very impressive. Will he reach the top three? That will be huge for him."
Alcaraz cautioned that maintaining a top-three position is a different challenge altogether but expressed confidence in Fonseca's potential. "I can see Joao changing levels over the next two years. If he manages to make that leap, I believe he will have very important and beautiful things ahead of him."
Alcaraz isn't the only one taking notice. Following his loss to Fonseca in the Basel final, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina declared the Brazilian would be "the next Nole [Djokovic] to beat Carlos and Jannik," underscoring the high expectations now surrounding the teenage prodigy.
