How ATP Next Gen Finals winner Joao Fonseca was molded by both Roger Federer & Rafael Nadal
Joao Fonseca became the second-youngest player to ever win the ATP Next Gen Finals. The Brazilian hotshot defeated American Learner Tien to win the Next Gen crown in Jeddah. Fonseca became the second youngest player to win the ATP Next Gen title, following Jannik Sinner, who won the title as an 18-year-old.
Joao Fonseca has revealed that his game is moulded by Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. The 18-year-old has admitted that he has idolised Federer throughout his career. The young Brazilian star further added that he wore every Federer shirt in his childhood, adding that his mother is just as big a fan of the Swiss maestro as himself.
"When I was younger, I wore every Federer shirt possible. I was a big fan of him. My family has always been. My mother is a fanatic about him," Fonseca told UOL.
Despite his inclination towards Roger Federer, Fonseca has admitted that he is inspired by his Spanish rival, Rafael Nadal. The Spaniard was present in Jeddah for the ATP Next Gen Finals and met with a few upcoming stars, including Joao Fonseca.
Fonseca, who had already qualified for the semi-finals, met Rafael Nadal before his match against Jakub Mensik in the group stage. The Brazilian went on to win the match in front of the watching Spaniard. After his match, Fonseca spoke about his pre-match meetup with Nadal that inspired him to fight for the victory.
"I met Rafa today so I am a bit of like inspired by him. Well, actually, I was with Alex and Jakub, and he said a little bit more of his experience, which is a lot and his mentality, he is a hardworker, so, it's really nice and really inspired me today," said Fonseca.
This was, however, not the first meeting between Fonseca and Nadal. Their first meeting was when the Brazilian star was just four years of age and Nadal was at the peak of his power in 2010.
Joao Fonseca recreates a picture with Rafael Nadal at the ATP Next Gen Finals
Joao Fonseca recreated a picture with Rafael Nadal at the ATP Next Gen Finals in Jeddah. The Spaniard was in attendance for the event, which Fonseca won beating Learner Tien in the final.
Fonseca posed along with his mother and Rafael Nadal for the picture. The Brazilian later posted that picture on his Instagram story along with a picture of the trio from 2010.
In the picture from 2010, Rafael Nadal could be seen wearing the Spanish World Cup-winning football jersey as he posed with a four-year-old Joao Fonseca along with his mother.