Joao Fonseca Wins Next Gen ATP Finals, Defeats Tien in Final

Joao Fonseca became the second-youngest winner of the Next Gen ATP Finals, defeating American Learner Tien in the final. The 18-year-old Brazilian, who was the youngest and lowest-ranked player in this year’s tournament, won the match 2-4, 4-3 (10-8), 4-0, 4-2 in Jeddah. Fonseca’s victory makes him the youngest player to claim the title since Jannik Sinner in 2019 and he finished the tournament unbeaten, winning all five of his matches.

Fonseca had previously defeated Tien in their group-stage encounter earlier in the week with Tien ranked 19th, failing to capitalize on his early advantage in the final. The Next Gen ATP Finals feature a best-of-five set format with four games required to win a set. Fonseca’s comeback after losing the first set was impressive particularly in the second set’s long tie-break which he won to level the match.

From there, Fonseca dominated, taking the final two sets comfortably to seal the title. “I was really nervous before the match. I knew it was going to be so difficult,” Joao Fonseca admitted. Reflecting on his previous junior final against Tien at the 2023 US Open, Fonseca praised his opponent, acknowledging the mental and physical challenges of playing him.

Before the final, Fonseca revealed his admiration for Jannik Sinner, whom he had worked with as a hitting partner at last year’s ATP Finals. Fonseca credited Sinner with inspiring him to turn professional and now with his Next Gen ATP Finals victory, he has certainly followed in Sinner’s footsteps becoming a rising star in men’s tennis.