"I can't believe how good this guy is" – Andrea Petkovic and Prakash Amritraj on João Fonseca's bright future

João Fonseca has quickly made a name for himself in tennis. The Brazilian has delivered some sensational performances, catching the attention of many in the sport.

The young South American star appears to have a promising future ahead. Andrea Petkovic and Prakash Amritraj have shared their thoughts on the rising star’s potential.

João Fonseca

João Fonseca has quickly made a name for himself in tennis. The Brazilian has delivered some sensational performances, catching the attention of many in the sport. The young South American star appears to have a promising future ahead. Andrea Petkovic and Prakash Amritraj have shared their thoughts on the rising star’s potential.

Hailing from Rio de Janeiro, Fonseca has made a quick impact on the professional circuit, achieving several notable milestones. He made his ATP debut in 2023 in front of his home crowd and soon secured Challenger titles. He also won the 2024 Next Gen ATP Finals in Jeddah, where he remained undefeated throughout the tournament.

Read also

Martina Navratilova fires back at fan over 'convicted felon" comments about Brazilian tennis star Joao Fonseca

Fonseca’s breakthrough came when he secured his first ATP title on South American soil, lifting the Argentina Open trophy. His success continued into 2025, where he had an impressive Australian Open run, stunning Andrey Rublev in a major upset.

With his rapid rise, many are eager to see what kind of career he will build. Among those praising his talent are Petkovic, Amritraj, and John McEnroe.

Petkovic and Amritraj's take

João Fonseca

Both Petkovic and Amritraj shared their thoughts on Fonseca’s future during an episode of Tennis Channel Live.

Petkovic believes the Brazilian teenager has the potential to break into the top 20.

Read also

ATP Rankings Update: Jannik Sinner starts his suspension with a big income as No. 1; great rise of young prodigy Joao Fonseca

"I believe he has the potential to break into the top 20," Petkovic said. "A gradual rise would be ideal, as it would set the stage for a successful career spanning the next 15 years, rather than a rapid ascent, which could be beneficial for tennis."

She added that no top player would want to see Fonseca in their section of a major tournament draw anytime soon.

"But for him, I hope it is a steady rise. And nobody wants to see him unseeded in a major tournament, even close to their section. That's terrible. If you see Fonseca at 68!"

Amritraj, on the other hand, raised the bar even higher for the young Brazilian sensation.

"I will raise the stakes a bit. He will be in the alternate for the tournament [ATP Finals]. I would say 9-12."

John McEnroe's praise for Fonseca

McEnroe also had high praise for Fonseca on Eurosport after watching him compete in Saudi Arabia and Australia.

"I recently saw him in Riyadh when he played that under-21 Next Gen thing. I was like, 'Oh my God.' What opened my eyes was that first-round match with Rublev. The guy made Rublev look like he wasn't hitting a big ball."

McEnroe highlighted Fonseca’s physical and mental toughness, emphasizing how composed he looked for an 18-year-old.

"He is totally composed physically at 18 years old; he looks as strong as an ox already, and mentally, he looks really tough."

The tennis legend even compared Fonseca to Carlos Alcaraz, believing he has the potential to follow in the Spaniard’s footsteps.

"When I look at him, I look at the next Carlos Alcaraz. I can't believe how good this guy is already. You expect big things."

Fonseca is undoubtedly one of the top prospects in the game today, and it will be fascinating to see how his career unfolds in the coming years.

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Unlock your ultimate tennis experience—subscribe today for exclusive access to top stories.

Subscribe