Fonseca fights back against Tien to win Next Gen ATP Finals title
The Brazilian beat Learner Tien 2-4, 4-3 (8), 4-0, 4-2 to clinch his maiden ATP title at the Next Gen Finals in Jeddah
Joao Fonseca wins the 2024 Next Gen ATP Finals title
Joao Fonseca has solidified his status as the most promising young talent on the ATP Tour, defeating Learner Tien 2-4, 4-3 (8), 4-0, 4-2 to win the 2024 Next Gen ATP Finals title in Jeddah.
At just 18 years of age, the world No 145 was the youngest player in the field at this year’s tournament and he becomes the second-youngest winner of the title after a certain Jannik Sinner, who was champion in 2019. Fonseca is also the first Brazilian to win the Next Gen ATP Finals and is the lowest-ranked player to do so in the tournament’s seven-year history.
Today marked the third time that Fonseca and Tien had met on a professional match court, with the Brazilian getting the better of Tien in the US Open boys final in 2023 and in their group-stage encounter earlier in this tournament.
It was no different in this year’s Next Gen showpiece, although it wasn’t all plain sailing for the eventual champion.
slow start for fonseca gives way to flawless finish
In the first set especially he was some way below the scintillating standards he had set for himself across the course of this tournament, with fatigue and nerves perhaps both playing their part. Forehands that had been clean winners for Fonseca in previous matches were sailing frequently wide.
The 19-year-old left-hander he was up against, on the other hand, was particularly impressive on serve in the early stages of the match, repeatedly shutting out the Brazilian in a way he could not manage during their first encounter in Jeddah.
A single break for Tien in the opening game of the first set proved enough for the American to nudge into a one-set lead as the rest of the stanza raced by in a flurry of comfortable holds.
The second set stayed close throughout, with both players holding well. Fonseca came through a testing period in the fifth game, recovering from 0-30 down for a crucial hold on the deciding 40-40 point before Tien held again to force a tiebreak.
A tense breaker proved to be the pivotal momentum shift in the contest, as the Brazilian finally clinched the second set with his fifth set point to gain parity at 1-1.
Fonseca then proceeded to break to love in the very next game in what was his first break of the final. That formed the start of an electric run for the 18-year-old as he powered to a 4-0 third-set victory with the loss of just three points.
The fourth stanza reverted back to a service rhythm, aided by Tien steadying the ship with a desperately needed hold in the opening game. But Fonseca again made the decisive breakthrough when it mattered most, breaking Tien for a third time in the match in the fifth and penultimate game of the final set before confidently serving out the biggest win of his career.
a potential future great of the sport arrives in jeddah
With Rafael Nadal watching on from the stands, Fonseca fell to the ground in disbelief as he cemented his name on a trophy that boasts the likes of Carlos Alcaraz and current world No 1 Sinner in its illustrious roster of former winners who have gone on to become leading players of the sport.
“It’s amazing,” Fonseca said in his winner’s speech.
“Making good results like those guys. Hopefully in the future I can be like them. I want to thank Rafa for being here. He’s such a legend of this sport. It’s meaningful for us players to be in those big stadiums with those guys watching.”
Whether or not the same destiny awaits the teenage Brazilian has yet to be seen, but the early indicators looks highly promising.
Fonseca burst onto the ATP Tour back in February with a remarkable run to the last eight of the Rio Open on what was his debut appearance at an ATP event.
After such a run, some may have prematurely pegged the flamboyant style of the Brazilian as one destined for success primarily on clay courts, yet this week’s superb showing in Jeddah very much proves otherwise.
Fonseca was simply brilliant across all five of his matches en route to the title. Despite losing the first set in the biggest contest of his life, the 18-year-old displayed impressive composure to regain his form and dispatch the tenacious Tien.
An excellent breakthrough 2024 has ended in fitting style for Fonseca. Should injury prove no barrier, then there is no reason this bright young talent shouldn’t go on to have a stellar career.
Roll on 2025.
