Another week brings a significant achievement for Joao Fonseca.
On Sunday in Buenos Aires, the Brazilian player continued his impressive performance in 2025 by defeating Francisco Cerundolo in the final of the IEB+ Argentina Open, securing his first ATP Tour title. At 18 years old, Fonseca has become the youngest South American champion in the ATP Tour era, which began in 1990.
“I want to thank my family, my friends and my sponsors for just helping me achieve my dream, which is to play tennis,” said Fonseca after his 6-4, 7-6(1) championship-match victory against home favourite Cerundolo. “Of course I want to be No. 1, of course I want to win Slams, titles. But my dream is just to play tennis, and I’m living it.”
Fonseca expressed his appreciation for the enthusiastic support from the Brazilian audience in Buenos Aires throughout his title run. As the champion of the 2024 Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF, he will experience an even livelier atmosphere this week when he competes on home soil at the Rio Open presented by Claro. The 18-year-old talent resides just 10 minutes away from the ATP 500 venue and achieved his first two tour-level victories there last year, culminating in a memorable quarter-final appearance.
“Unbelievable week, even in Argentina there are some Brazilians cheering for me,” said Fonseca, who today climbed to a career-high No. 68 in the PIF ATP Rankings. “That’s just amazing. Every Brazilian, everyone from their country wants this support from your own country. For me, this [moment] that I’m living is just unbelievable.”
As the young individual seeks to create further opportunities in Rio de Janeiro, Fonseca will always remember the accomplishments achieved in Buenos Aires.
Photo/ArgentinaOpen/X
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