Joao Fonseca hails 'unbelievable week' after capturing maiden ATP Tour title

By SABC Sport
17th February 2025

Joao Fonseca described his week as "unbelievable" after becoming the youngest South American to win an ATP Tour singles title when he captured the trophy at the Buenos Aires Open.

The Brazilian - aged 18 years, five months and 26 days - defeated home favourite Francisco Cerundolo 6-4, 7-6 (7-1) in his first Tour-level to rewrite the history books.

The teenager is also the seventh youngest in ATP Tour history to win a title with the likes of Lleyton Hewitt, Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz ahead of him on the list.

Fonseca said after the victory: "Unbelievable week, even in Argentina there are some Brazilians cheering for me.

"That's just amazing. Every Brazilian, everyone from their country wants this support from your own country. For me, this [moment] that I'm living is just unbelievable.

"I want to thank my family, my friends and my sponsors for just helping me achieve my dream, which is to play tennis. Of course I want to be No 1, of course I want to win Slams, titles, but my dream is just to play tennis, and I'm living it."

The victory also sees Fonseca jumped to a career-high 68 in the ATP player rankings after the starting the year at number 145.