Will any player be able to break into the dominance of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner? Will a third force emerge to form a new Big 3? The questions reach the Spaniard attached to the name of one possible contender: Joao Fonseca.
“Joao is without a doubt a special player. What he has done this year is impressive and something to admire,” the world No. 1 said in a virtual press conference on Tuesday, after announcing his withdrawal from the Davis Cup Finals.
Alcaraz does not dare to predict whether Fonseca will take on that role on the tour, but he does see the Brazilian’s potential to do big things: “I see him raising his level. We’ll see if he’s able to break into the top 10, the top 5, and whether he can deal with that pressure.”
Alcaraz also took the chance to leave him a couple of assignments and pieces of advice: “One thing is reaching a high level, but maintaining it is something very different. He also needs to improve his movement.”
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In 2025, Fonseca won the ATP 250 in Buenos Aires after defeating four Argentines on his way to the title. In October, he lifted the trophy at the ATP 500 in Basel, on indoor hard courts — conditions far from familiar for a young South American player.
His successful season, despite a very inconsistent mid-year stretch and limited progress at the bigger tournaments, earned Fonseca a year-end ranking of No. 24 in the ATP standings.
The Spaniard also believes that the influence of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic — just as it happened with him — played a fundamental role in the development of the 19-year-old.
“Growing up watching the Big 3 helps a lot. Not necessarily to imitate them or try to do what they did, but as inspiration and as a model,” Alcaraz said.
The six-time Grand Slam champion and the Brazilian will play the “Miami Invitational,” an exhibition in Miami on December 8th, at LoanDepot Park, a retractable-roof baseball stadium that will feature a temporary tennis court.
