As was expected, Joao Fonseca will not defend his title at the Next Gen ATP Finals in Jeddah in December. The 19-year-old needs more time to recover after a demanding season that propelled him into the top-25 at the end of the year.
As the organizers revealed, a teenager has yet to recover from an injury sustained during the closing stages of the season. However, Joao still plans to face Carlos Alcaraz in an exhibition match in Miami on December 8.
Last year, Fonseca arrived in Jeddah as the youngest player in the draw, and also the last to qualify. The rising star bested five rivals to lift a trophy and become the second-youngest champion of the event since Jannik Sinner.
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Joao passed the round-robin stage with three wins and bested Luca Van Assche in the semi-final in style. The Brazilian chased the title against Learnen Tien and provided a 2-4, 4-3, 4-0 4-2 triumph in an hour and 27 minutes.
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They met in the round-robin stage, where Joao secured two bagels. Learnen fought hard in the final and stood a point away from taking two sets to love advantage.
Fonseca saved it in the tie break and stole the set to gain a massive boost. The Brazilian served well in sets three and four and kept the pressure on the other side. Joao secured a bagel in the third set and rattled off three games in the fourth set to emerge at the top.
A teenager gained a boost and used it nicely this season. He lifted two ATP titles and wrapped up his first fullyear on the ATP levelin the top-25. Joao conquered Buenos Aires and Basel and fought well on the most notable scene.
With more experience in his legs and shots, Fonseca should be among the players to watch in 2026, especially if he avoids injuries and presents his A-game. The Brazilian will kick off the new season in Brisbane and Adelaide.
