In Pictures: After watching idol Rafael Nadal compete as a 7-year-old, Joao Fonseca poses with legend a decade later as he wins Next Gen ATP Finals
Joao Fonseca posed for pictures with Rafael Nadal at the 2024 Next Gen ATP Finals, a decade after watching the Spanish legend compete as a seven-year-old. Fonseca faced America's Learner Tien in the final on Sunday and defeated his left-handed opponent 2-4, 4-3(8), 4-0, 4-2 to become the second youngest player to win the title.
Nadal, on a three-day trip to Saudi Arabia, visited the King Abdullah Sports City to watch the youngsters fight it out. Amid the Spaniard's first tennis-related appearance since retiring, an old picture of Fonseca resurfaced on the internet.
It showed the young Brazilian watching the 22-time Grand Slam champion play at the 2014 Rio Open from the stands.
After the final, Fonseca clicked pictures with his idol, who sported a black suit on the occasion. The young Brazilian held his trophy with a wide grin on his face.
Fonseca secured five straight wins in his title run, which began with an astonishing win over top-seed Arthur Fils. After completing a perfect group stage, the Brazilian secured a comfortable straight sets win, 4-2, 4-2, 4-1 against Luca Van Assche to book a place in the final.
In addition to the final, Nadal also attended the semifinal face-off between Learner Tien and Alex Michelsen. During his trip to the Middle East, the Spaniard visited the Tariqa Hakim Abdul Museum. After the visit, he chatted with the Next Gen ATP Finals players including Fonseca, Michelsen and Jakub Mensik.
"My phone unlock screen is Rafael Nadal with a sentence" - Joao Fonseca
Joao Fonseca expressed his admiration for Rafael Nadal, stating that he has a picture of the Spanish legend with one of his quotes on his phone unlock screen.
In an interview with the ATP Tour earlier this week, Fonseca opened up about his adoration for the 14-time French Open champion despite being a Roger Federer fan.
"Rafa is a legend. I am a Roger [Federer] fan but I also love Rafa. My coach is a Rafa fan. My phone unlock screen is Rafa with a sentence. It has been a pleasure to meet him," Fonseca said.
When asked about matching the Spaniard's exceptional 2005 season, during which he secured 11 titles, Fonseca said:
"Eleven titles in a season is just insane. I will try to do the same"
Rafael Nadal's 2005 season saw him secure four ATP Masters 1000 titles and a Grand Slam at the French Open. The then 19-year-old clinched 79 calendar wins, the most by any teenager on the ATP tour.