Joao Fonseca will make his top 30 debut on Monday after claiming the biggest title of his career at the Swiss Indoors on Sunday.
The 19-year-old unseeded Brazilian powered his way to a 6-3, 6-4, win over Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, who is now 0-5 in tournament finals on the ATP Tour. Fonseca fired 29 winners past Fokina and dropped his serve only once in the match. It is the second title he has won this year after the Argentina Open in February, which was an ATP 250 event.
Fonseca’s triumph makes him the first player from his country to win a singles title at an ATP 500 event or above since 2001, when Gustavo Kuerten won the Cincinnati Masters. Fokina is his fifth win over a top-20 player on the Tour.
“Man, it’s crazy. It’s tough to say because we have been through a lot,” said Fonseca.
“I just want to just want to thank my family and my coaches who helped me to achieve this amazing effort.”
The victory in Switzerland is even sweeter for the teenager, with it being achieved in front of his parents, who originally planned to only travel to Paris for the last Masters event of the season. Fonseca’s father, Christiano, is the co-founder of IP Capital Partners, which is Brazil’s first independent asset management firm. His mother, Roberta, is a former junior volleyball player.
“It’s just amazing to have them here for my biggest (win) of my career,” he said
“They were the ones who believed in me. I was thinking about going to university and they just said, ‘It’s your choice. We we going to be there to support you.’
“Since I was young, my mom traveled with me. This title is for her.”
As for Basel, Fonseca hopes to emulate his idol, Roger Federer, and win multiple titles in the future. Federer won the tournament 10 times between 2006 and 2019.
“I watched on TV Roger playing this tournament since I was young and winning like 10 times, if I’m not mistaken. It’s a pleasure playing on this court and playing here for the first time. For sure, it won’t be the last time.” He said.
Fonseca has risen to 28th place in the PIF ATP Live Rankings.
