Roger Federer will team up with Brazilian tennis sensation Joao Fonseca at On's Clubhouse Nights in Sao Paulo this December, as confirmed in a new video teasing their link-up.
The 20-time Grand Slam champion, who retired four years ago, has never faced the current generation of stars on court. Fonseca, 20, has already made a significant impact on the ATP Tour, having shocked Andrey Rublev on his Grand Slam debut as a teenage qualifier in early 2025 and later winning his first two titles at the ATP 250 event in Buenos Aires and ATP 500 in Basel.
Fonseca's rise and injury setback
Fonseca continued to impress this year, stunning Novak Djokovic in the third round of the French Open, handing the Serb his second-ever defeat from two sets up. The world No. 40 has now been forced to end his season early due to injury but is already planning to get back on court with Federer.
The 20-year-old is sponsored by On Running, a Swiss brand in which Federer has a stake, and the pair will join forces for one of On's Clubhouse Nights in Sao Paulo in December.
Teaser video and Federer's response
In a new video for On, Fonseca sends Federer a voice note, asking: “Hey Roger. Is it true you’re coming to Brazil?”
The retired icon replies: “Hey Joao! Well, I guess the secret is out now. I’m finally coming back to Brazil after all these years. This December, we’ll meet at Clubhouse Nights in Sao Paolo. See you on the court, my friend.”
In the caption, On Brazil wrote: “Two generations. One shared love of tennis. Roger Federer and João Fonseca together at Clubhouse Nights Sao Paulo. This December. Stay tuned.”
Federer's other commitments and praise
Federer is already set to return to the court for Stan Wawrinka’s farewell exhibition event in Geneva at the end of the year. The former world No. 1 will take part in One Last Backhand with Wawrinka, Andy Murray and Gael Monfils, with Wawrinka and Monfils expected to play a singles match before Federer and Murray get involved in some doubles.
The 45-year-old, who was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame this summer, will now also head to Brazil. He was full of praise for Fonseca when he addressed the media at the Australian Open earlier this year.
“I think what separates him from a lot of the other guys in the draw are his power, forehand, backhand, serve, what he's able to bring point for point. He's exciting. He has a good aura,” Federer said. “I feel like he's a very likable character as well. I like watching him play. I briefly met him at the Laver Cup. I saw him also courtside and also from the back. It was impressive to see.”
