Hitting the jackpot in Vegas: Joao Fonseca wins the MGM Slam and earns $1 million

Joao Fonseca has been crowned as the MGM Slam champion after taking down Reilly Opelka 10-6, 7-10, 10-5 in a hotly contested final as eight of the top players in the world get good preparation for the upcoming Indian Wells Open to kickstart the Sunshine Double.

The 19-year-old has played a lot of tennis on the exhibition circuit, leaning into this avenue with his popularity at an all-time high thanks to a huge support base back in Brazil. He recently won his first ATP doubles title in the Rio Open with Marcelo Melo. He will be hoping that title and this recent victory in Las Vegas will propel him back into the form most tennis fans have expected and wanted from him.

Injuries and lack of fitness have hit Fonseca hard at the start of 2026, with him winning just one match on the ATP Tour. He made his debut at Indian Wells last year as he made it to the second round before going one better in the following Miami Open.

He was one of eight players looking to take home the $1 million for winning the tournament. It was a tiebreak format with the first to 10 winning.

The Brazilian kicked off the session with a 10-6 win over Gael Monfils. Just the 20-year age gap between the two. He would face an inform Alexander Bublik who squeezed past Nick Kyrgios 10-8.

In the other side of the draw, the number one American Taylor Fritz brushed aside Tommy Paul 10-3 while a much closer matchup between Opelka and Casper Ruud saw the Norwegian bow out at the last-eight stage, losing 10-8.

Opelka's serve would be clutch for the whole event as he found a way past Fritz in a 10-6 victory while Fonseca booked his spot in the final with a 10-3 win against Bublik.

The American started well but would fall behind to lose the first set 10-6. He got back up to speed and drew level after winning the second 10-7 but in the end youth prevailed as Fonseca raced away in the third and final set to win the MGM Slam and $1 million.

This lucrative victory is a step in the right direction for Fonseca who will set his sights firmly on a trip to California with the Indian Wells Open taking place from March 4-15.