Eight-seed Joao Fonseca backed up a nearly perfect week showcasing his impressive game style to topple American Learner Tien 2-4, 4-3(8), 4-0, 4-2 after one hour and 37 minutes at the Next Gen ATP Finals championship match held on Sunday at King Abdullah Sports City.
βI was really nervous before the match. I knew it was going to be so difficult,β Fonseca asserted during the trophy ceremony. βI played a final against Learner in juniors [at the 2023 US Open], and I know the way he can play. He is such a nice guy and a great player, so I knew it was going to be difficult, mentally and physically. But I got my way through.β
Moreover, the second-youngest titlist in the year-end tournament history claimed the biggest title of his professional career undefeated with the King of Clay, Rafael Nadal, watching on from the stands.
Throughout an exceptional week of high-level tennis at the 20-and-under event, the 18-year-old won all five matches he contested.
Despite dropping the opening set to Tien, who broke his opponent to set off proceedings, Fonseca found his way back into the match, rallying to even the score at one set apiece after an edgy tiebreaker.
Then, he took the third set by storm, capitalizing on his opportunities against the 19-year-old; from there, the Rio de Janeiro native controlled play to steal the set and the match.
βHonestly, I donβt know how I did it in the second set,β he commented. βI was just trying to keep my game strong on serve. I was not playing my best at the beginning. I was too nervous. But after the second set, I think the third set was another Joao.
βI was much more aggressive going for the shots, and he got a little bit more tight. And in the fourth set, I did my best and got the win.β
The Brazilian player won 83 percent of the points behind his first serve, converting 3 of 9 break point opportunities.
For his part, the fifth seed also made an impression in his first appearance at the Finals, a remarkable run that featured an upset over top seed Arthur Fils to record the highest-ranked triumph of his career.
In addition, he beat good friend Alex Michelsen and third seed Jakub Mensik, finishing 2-1 in the Blue Group. His lone loss in the group stage came to Fonseca.
Overall, 2024 has been a standout season for the American player, who started the year ranked at No. 453 and entered the venue at No. 122.
βI had an amazing year,β Tien outlined. βI had a great week this week. It didnβt end the way I wanted, but I am proud of myself. I am really happy with the strides I made this year.
βI have played some really good tennis this week. I will make sure this loss does not take me down a notch. I am looking forward to next year.β
Fonseca wrote history by qualifying for the Next Gen Finals as the first player from Brazil to achieve the feat. On Sunday, he found glory, becoming the first-ever representative from this country to lift the trophy.