João Fonseca’s star rises in Jeddah
18-year-old Brazilian On athlete triumphs over Learner Tien to become second-youngest Next Gen champion.
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, December 22, 2024 – João Fonseca, the 18-year-old On athlete who has been a part of the brand's roster of tennis players since 2023, concluded his remarkable 2024 season with a resounding victory at the ATP's flagship event for young players in Jeddah.
After a breakout year, the Brazilian, who began the year ranked No. 730 in the ATP rankings, will enter 2025 not only with a new world ranking of No. 145 but also as the newly crowned Next Gen champion.
Fonseca's path to victory was one of defying expectations. Entering the prestigious under-20 tournament as the lowest-ranked and youngest competitor, he had secured the final qualifying spot. Unfazed by the challenge, Fonseca showcased exceptional tennis throughout the tournament, maintaining an undefeated record in the group stage, semi-finals, and final. His impressive run included victories over world No. 20 Arthur Fils, Czech Republic’s Jakub Mensik, USA’s Learner Tien, and France’s Luca van Assche.
The final saw Fonseca facing off once again against Learner Tien, who had previously defeated fellow American Alex Michelsen in the semi-finals.
In a hard-fought match, Tien started strong, taking the first set 2-4. However, Fonseca battled back to win the second set in a tie-break, demonstrating remarkable composure and a champion's mentality. Fueled by his signature forehand, Fonseca seized control of the match, ultimately securing victory with a final score of 2-4, 4-3(8), 4-0, 4-2.
Fonseca's triumph places him in elite company. He is only the third 18-year-old to win the Next Gen ATP Finals title in the tournament's seven-year history. He joins the ranks of current world No. 1 Jannik Sinner and No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz, who both achieved this feat at the same age.
"I am incredibly proud of myself and the way I played this week," said Fonseca. "To defeat such talented players and win this amazing tournament is a dream come true. I want to express my gratitude to my team, my parents, and everyone who has supported me on this journey. It's an honor to be included among the incredible players who have won this trophy before me. I hope to follow in their footsteps and achieve similar success in the future."
Feliciano Robayna, On's Head of Athlete Management Tennis, added, "Joao was one of the first three tennis players we signed back in 2023, alongside Iga Świątek and Ben Shelton. Since then, he has truly blossomed, evolving from a promising junior to a force to be reckoned with on the professional circuit. With seven ATP tour-level wins and his maiden Challenger title in Lexington this year, Joao has consistently demonstrated his exceptional talent. The victory at the year-end championship firmly establishes him as a player to watch, and we at On are incredibly proud to be a part of his journey."
You can find high-res imagery of João Fonseca for editorial purposes here (© On).
About On
On was born in the Swiss Alps in 2010 with the mission to ignite the human spirit through movement – a mission that still guides the brand today. Fourteen years after market launch, On delivers industry-disrupting innovation in premium footwear, apparel and accessories for high-performance running, outdoor, training, all-day activities and tennis. On’s award-winning CloudTec® innovation, purposeful design and groundbreaking strides within the circular economy have attracted a fast-growing global fan base – inspiring humans to explore, discover and Dream On.
On is present in more than 60 countries globally and engages with a digital community on www.on.com.