The 18-year-old Joao Fonseca, had a perfect week at the Next Gen ATP Finals with a 2-4, 4-3(8), 4-0, 4-2 triumph over American Learner Tien on Sunday, becoming the competition’s second-youngest champion in seven years. With Rafael Nadal watching from the sidelines, eighth-seeded Fonseca came back from a first-set loss to defeat Tien for the second time in five matches in Jeddah, completing the eight-man championship for the world’s best 20-and-under players 5-0.
Fonseca had already defeated Tien, the fifth seed and winner of three Challenger titles this year, in the junior US Open final in 2023, and he defeated the American in four sets in Jaddah’s group stage by turning around a vital second set. Already up a set, the 19-year-old had a set point in the second-set tiebreak to extend his lead to two best-of-four games to love, but he failed to convert.
Two points later, Tien’s backhand broke down, and he sank a first-ball backhand off Fonseca’s return to tie the match at one set each. This is quite good for a player who began the year at No. 730 and will complete the 2024 season at No. 145 in the ATP rankings. The youngster played his first ATP Tour match at the age of 16 in the Rio Open in 2023.
Joao Fonseca Prove His Worth
He won his first Tour-level match a year later, reaching the last 16, as well as the second round of the Madrid Open. Fonseca’s earnings for the week were also significant, with $253,093 in prize money received before the event, bringing his career total to $292,146. The Brazilian and the seven other qualifiers each got a $150,000 participation fee.
With each round-robin win paying $36,660. With his triumphs over Fils, Mensik, and Tien, as well as his participation fee, the Brazilian was guaranteed a $259,980 payout heading into the semi-finals, but he has now increased his total to at least $373,480 after winning another $113,500 against Van Assche. His total earnings might reach $526,480 if he defeats Tien in Sunday’s final.
