In a historic triumph, 18-year-old Joao Fonseca etched his name in tennis history by becoming the first Brazilian to win the Next Gen ATP Finals title. The young star clinched the championship at the 20-and-under event in Jeddah, defeating American Learner Tien in a four-set showdown.
The final match marked the third encounter between Fonseca and Tien, with Fonseca previously securing a win in their group stage meeting. Despite dropping the first set 4-2, Fonseca showcased remarkable resilience, overturning the deficit with a 10-8 victory in the second-set tiebreak.
As the lowest-ranked player in the tournament, Fonseca dominated the third set 4-0 and continued his unstoppable momentum, ultimately sealing the match with a 4-2 fourth set. His flawless performance throughout the week saw him finish the tournament undefeated, solidifying his place as the second-youngest Next Gen champion, following Jannik Sinner's 2019 win.
\"I wasn't playing my best at the start. I was too nervous. But after I won the second set, then the third, I think things started to change. I became more aggressive with my shots, and I think he became more restricted. It's part of the game. In the fourth set, I just gave it my all and got the win. Well, I need to believe in myself when I go into a tournament. I mean, you need to believe every time, but this is just unreal. Actually, now I'm just… wow, I just made it. I'm so proud of myself,\" Fonseca expressed after the victory.
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18-year-old Fonseca becomes first Brazilian to win Next Gen ATP title
cgtn.com
