Joao Fonseca looks forward to competing against Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner after Next Gen Finals win: "Hope I can do the same or even better than"
Joao Fonseca joined the likes of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner in becoming the ATP Next Gen Finals champ this year. He beat American Learner Tien in the summit clash to lift the trophy.
Speaking to ATP.com after his big win, the youngster said he hopes to continue following in Alcaraz and Sinner's footsteps. He said he wants to achieve the same amount of success as the duo and even surpass it at some point.
The Next Gen Finals triumph, he noted, showed that he is on the right path. He expressed pride in having lifted the trophy, saying that winning a tournament was something that he had earlier only dreamed about.
"It is a good pressure," Joao Fonseca said. "By winning Next Gen, it shows I am on the right path. I hope I can do the same or even better than what they have done and are doing and are going to do. I look forward to playing with them and I hope I can compete in big matches at Grand Slams. It is where I want to go."
"I need to believe when I go to a tournament that I can win," he added. "But now I have won it I am thinking, 'wow, I made it.'"
Expressing hunger for more success, Fonseca said he dreams of becoming the World No. 1. He said he would like to take a week off to celebrate his triumph and look back on his successful 2024 season.
"I am proud of myself, but of course I want more," the youngster said. "My dream is to become No. 1. Of course, now after winning Next Gen, I want to enjoy it this week and relax and celebrate with my family. I want to enjoy the moment, and I am very pleased and thankful for this year."
Joao Fonseca joins Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner as 18-year-old Next Gen Finals champs
Joao Fonseca became just the third 18-year-old to lift the Next Gen Finals trophy, joining none other than Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. The two had been crowned the season-ending tournament champs in their teens as well.
Carlos Alcaraz had beaten Sebastian Korda in the summit clash of the tournament’s 2021 edition 4–3(7–5), 4–2, 4–2. He also posted wins over the likes of Holger Rune and Brandon Nakashima in the earlier stages.
Jannik Sinner, on the other hand, got the better of Alex de Minaur in the tournament’s 2019 final 4–2, 4–1, 4–2. He had earlier beaten Miomir Kecmanovic, Frances Tiafoe, and Mikael Ymer.