18-year-old Fonseca becomes first Brazilian to win Next Gen ATP title

Brazil's Joao Fonseca defeated American Learner Tien 2-4, 4-3(8), 4-0, 4-2 to win the Next Gen ATP Finals title, capping off a perfect week at the 20-and-under event in Jeddah.

The championship match was the third career meeting between the two, with 8th-seeded Fonseca having already beaten 5th-seeded Tien in four sets earlier in the group stage. However, the 18-year-old found himself under pressure this time, losing the opening set 4-2. Fonseca then began to fight back, holding his nerve to seal a 10-8 victory in the second-set tiebreak. Despite being the lowest-ranked player in the tournament, the South American teen then held serve at love to win the third set 4-0. He continued to push Tien to the limit and finally closed out the match 4-2. Fonseca finished the tournament undefeated, becoming the first Brazilian to claim the title and the second-youngest Next Gen champion, after current World No. 1 Jannik Sinner, who won the title in 2019.

"I wasn't playing my best at the start. I was too nervous. But after I won the second set, then the third, I think things started to change. I became more aggressive with my shots, and I think he became more restricted. It's part of the game. In the fourth set, I just gave it my all and got the win. Well, I need to believe in myself when I go into a tournament. I mean, you need to believe every time, but this is just unreal. Actually, now I'm just... wow, I just made it. I'm so proud of myself," said Fonseca.