Joao Fonseca is poised to become one of the world’s best players, with the future star’s ATP ranking already 59 at 18 years of age.
Fonseca, in his debut season on the ATP Tour, already has a title to his name and has earned some impressive victories against top players.
The Brazilian has impressed so much that he was announced as part of Team World for the Laver Cup in San Francisco this September.
Despite Fonseca suffering a first-round exit at the Italian Open, he continues to catch the eyes of tennis greats.
Jim Courier had his say on the young star recently, and now eight-time Grand Slam champion Andre Agassi weighed in on Fonseca’s game.
Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty ImagesAndre Agassi says Joao Fonseca is a ‘bigger guy than you think’ – like Jannik Sinner
Speaking on the Tennis Channel Live Podcast, Agassi said: “He got my attention eight months ago. Watching him play is crazy, the easy power he has off both wings and the movement and athleticism.”
“He is a bigger guy than you think too. A bit like Sinner. I saw Sinner listed at 6 foot 2 and when I finally got a chance to meet him I was like no, no, no – you have to change that. He is 6 foot 3+. The same with Fonseca.”
“He can generate with the same swing and inject pace into it. It’s like when Alcaraz does it, you can see the pace getting injected, when Fonseca does it you don’t even see the pace coming.
The former world number one continued: “It’s like he’s throwing a jab, but it’s a straight right. It’s pretty crazy watching him. He was the coach’s pick [for the Laver Cup], and I am the kind of guy who doesn’t need to wait.”
“I believe in where he is heading, I hope he is equipped to handle the world on his shoulders and the pressure that goes with expectation. But every sign he has shown me is that he is a true professional, and he is older than his years.”
“I believe in him, I want him knowing that now, and I want to be there in person watching him against anybody.”
Joao Fonseca’s breakout season on the ATP Tour
Fonseca took the tennis world by storm at the end of last season, when he won the Next Gen ATP Finals, defeating Learner Tien in the last stage to clinch the title.
He then took to the Australian Open, where, after cruising through the qualifiers, he earned a statement victory over ninth seed Andrey Rublev, defeating the Russian in straight sets.
The 18-year-old then won his first tour-level title, emerging victorious at the Argentina Open in Buenos Aires, defeating home favourite Francisco Cerundolo in the final.
In March, Fonseca won a Challenger-level event in Phoenix, where he earned victories over former world number four Kei Nishikori and Alexander Bublik.
Fonseca will now enter his second career Grand Slam at Roland Garros, where he will look to improve on his second-round exit in Melbourne.