Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca stunned Novak Djokovic at the 2026 French Open on Friday, coming back from two sets down to defeat the 24-time Grand Slam champion 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5, 7-5 in scorching Paris conditions.
Here are 10 things to know about Joao Fonseca:
Joao Fonseca was born on August 21, 2006, in Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The Brazilian star stands 6’2” (1.88m) tall and weighs around 81 kg (179 lbs). He plays right-handed and uses a two-handed backhand.
Joao Fonseca began playing tennis at just four years old at the Rio de Janeiro Country Club, located close to his home.
In 2023, he became the first Brazilian to finish the year as the world’s No. 1 junior player and capped it off by winning the boys’ singles title at the US Open.
Fonseca turned professional in 2024 and quickly grabbed attention by reaching the Rio Open quarterfinals as a 17-year-old wildcard.
He won the 2024 Next Gen ATP Finals with a perfect 5-0 record in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, becoming the first South American champion in the tournament's history.
Fonseca has already claimed two ATP singles titles — the 2025 Argentina Open on clay and the 2025 Swiss Indoors Basel ATP 500 on hard courts.
He also lifted the doubles title at the 2026 Rio Open.
Off the court, Fonseca is dating Manu Noronha. The couple reportedly met while studying together at the prestigious Escola Americana in Rio de Janeiro.
