The youngsters are coming! A 17-year-old wins a match on the ATP Tour. Brazilian Joao Fonseca beat Arthur Fils in Rio de Janeiro.
Why is it huge news that a 17-year-old wins a match on the ATP tour? Well, it is rare and most players that start winning matches this early become a big deal. With this in mind, I think we will see more from Joao Fonseca in the near future. His performance against Arthur Fils was stellar, winning 6-4 6-0 with some huge shotmaking.
The first player born in 2006 to win a tour match
Fonseca, who is the first player born in 2006 to win a main-draw tour-level match, dominated the match with his forehand, hitting 17 winners (11 on the forehand side). This is what Fonseca said after his historical win:
“I am so happy. It couldn’t be better than this to get my first win 10 minutes away from my house and with all my friends, all my family watching,” said Fonseca, who fell to his knees and held his head in disbelief after securing match point. “It’s very special and let’s go for another one in the second round.
“I was focused on making every ball. Obviously I was nervous, I was shaking, but I wanted so much to win, I made it.
“The last few months I was so focused on my progress and this is the result. I am a lot more mature and this is where I belong. I want to be in these huge stadiums.”
– Joao Fonseca
Fonseca is part of the Next Gen Accelerator Programme, which provides chances to compete on the ATP Challenger Tour for the world’s best junior players. He receives eight main draw playing opportunities for the ATP Challenger Tour 50 and 75 events. He was also a hitting partner at the ATP Finals in Turin last year.
Joao Fonseca’s racquet
Joao Fonseca’s racquet looks like a new Yonex VCORE 95 and he was testing this model for a while. We feature it in our Yonex VCORE 2023 racquets review. But after talking to friends of his who know his racquets, it is actually a Yonex VCORE SV 98. One way to tell is the shape of the racquet but also that it is a 16/20 pattern. He strings it with Yonex Poly Tour Strike.
His specs are: 348g, 331 SW strung. There is lead tape at 3, 9, 12, and the throat, and he uses a leather grip.
Fonseca’s future
What do you think of Fonseca’s future? It is very early to tell. It does look bright, though!
Last year he ended the year being number one in his category. He has evolved a lot in one year. It’s too early to say he’ll be a great player, but we’re rooting for him
Feds On sponsorship from Head to Toe says something and Yonex might need him as a their media board in the future if he keeps improving as we could be seen a future Double handed Federer.
The kid is strong, flexible, feisty, clay conditioned yet tees off when he needs to from anywhere.
Decent specced Yonex @ 348gsm like Nadal, Nishikori, Evans and most players of a few generations before the Alcaraz, Sinner and others using lightweight racquets. Kids a beast.