One of tennis's biggest prospects who has been described as a "rare talent with unlimited potential" is being tipped to challenge Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
Joao Fonseca, who beat Francisco Cerundolo at the Argentina Open in February to secure his first ATP Tour title, is the talk of tennis right now as he continues to impress at Wimbledon following wins over Jacob Fearnley and Jenson Brooksby.
A month before beating Cerundolo in Buenos Aires, the 18-year-old Brazilian recorded an unprecedented win over eighth seed Andrey Rublev at the Australian Open, which happened to be his Grand Slam debut.
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After seven-time Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic claimed to be "a fan" of the teenager, adding: "He's got the goods", former player and American coach Rick Macci heaped praise on Fonseca with some bold statements.
Macci, who has mentored the likes Serena Williams, Andy Roddick and Maria Sharapova, even stated that Fonseca is the best young player since defending Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz.
"Fonseca is the best young prospect I have seen since Carlos that checks the most important boxes to win Grand Slams," said Macci, as per Tennis365.
“He will get unreal experience on how to lose and how to be a winner and in two years be right there with Alcaraz and [Jannik] Sinner.”
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The 70-year-old would go on to praise Fonseca's personality, both on and off the court, saying: “The Brazilian blaster has that inner courage that his successful parents always knew you cannot buy over the internet,” he said.
“Joao has that courage go bigger pull the Brazilian trigger and launch 100 mph forehands over the net. He loves the battle and is hard to rattle.”
Macci also mentioned Fonseca’s father, who is the CEO of a Brazilian hedge fund.
Christiano Fonseca founded ‘Inversionista Professional’ (IP), Brazil’s first independent asset management company that currently manages 2.5 billion reais (around 440 million dollars) in client funds, according to Clay Magazine.
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Fonseca's father is also said to pay for his son's expenses.
“Fonseca will be near the top in the future," said Macci. "If I were to hedge my bet is not because his dad started a hedge fund. Money helps but it cuts both ways. It give you maybe a better chance but what you do with the chance will decide if you show up at the Grand Slam dance.
“Fonseca is a rare talent with unlimited potential not because his family has money like [Jessica] Pegula and [Emma] Navarro."
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Macci added: “Dedication Inspiration Motivation Education Stimulation and Preparation is why the Brazilian blaster arrived faster avoided disaster and will become a Grand Slam master.”
Jack Kenmare