In the fast-paced world of professional tennis, where expectations can soar as quickly as a well-struck serve, young talents often face intense scrutiny. Joao Fonseca, the 18-year-old Brazilian sensation, has found himself under the microscope after a third-round exit at Wimbledon 2025, prompting criticism from fans questioning his hype. Stepping into the fray, American player Chris Eubanks passionately defended Fonseca, drawing a compelling comparison to Carlos Alcaraz’s early career. “I think people forget Carlos’ early years,” Eubanks declared, urging fans to temper their expectations and recognize the parallels between Fonseca’s promising trajectory and Alcaraz’s path to greatness.
Fonseca’s meteoric rise has been nothing short of remarkable. Currently ranked No. 54, he became the youngest player to crack the ATP top 100 since Alcaraz in 2021, a milestone underscored by his stunning victory over world No. 9 Andrey Rublev at the Australian Open earlier this year. At just 18, Fonseca also claimed his first ATP title on the clay courts of Buenos Aires, showcasing an aggressive style marked by powerful forehands and a fearless net game. His Wimbledon campaign saw him defeat Jacob Fearnley and Jenson Brooksby to reach the third round, making him the youngest man to do so since Bernard Tomic in 2011—a feat even Alcaraz, who lost in the second round at 18, didn’t achieve. Yet, a loss to Nicolas Jarry sparked online chatter doubting Fonseca’s potential. “I have seen certain people and a certain discourse and fans sharing their opinions saying ‘I still don’t get the Fonseca hype’,” Eubanks said, visibly frustrated. “He’s played three Slams so far. He’s just entered that top 100. He also has a tour title and he’s entering this point where because he hasn’t made a second week yet, they’re like, ‘Ah, kid just doesn’t have it.’ And like what are we talking about?”
Eubanks, speaking on Andy Roddick’s podcast, drew a direct line to Alcaraz’s formative years to contextualize Fonseca’s journey. Alcaraz, now a five-time Grand Slam champion, faced his own early setbacks. At 18, in 2021, he fell in the third round of Wimbledon to Daniil Medvedev and didn’t win his first ATP title until Umag that year. “I think people forget Carlos’ early years and Sinner’s,” Eubanks noted, pointing out that Alcaraz’s 2022 US Open triumph came after losses in tournaments like Rio, where he reached the final but didn’t win. These early stumbles, Eubanks argued, were critical stepping stones to Alcaraz’s dominance, which includes titles at the French Open, Wimbledon (twice), and the US Open. By 19, Alcaraz had won a Masters 1000 title in Miami and reached the world No. 1 ranking, but his ascent was not without hiccups, a fact Eubanks believes fans overlook when judging Fonseca.
Fonseca’s potential has also caught the eye of tennis royalty. Carlos Alcaraz himself praised the Brazilian after a high-intensity practice session at Wimbledon, where they played a competitive set that Alcaraz narrowly won 7-5. “I was excited about hitting with him, since the last time that I hit with him [was] in 2023 [at the Nitto ATP Finals],” Alcaraz said, noting Fonseca’s aggressive style suits grass courts. “He loves to play aggressively, hit big forehands and come to the net. I’m pretty sure he’ll find his level on this surface really, really soon.” Alcaraz’s mentorship extends beyond the court, with the Spaniard offering, “He already knows that if he has any doubts or anything he wants to ask me, I’m open. I’m here for whatever he needs.” This support underscores Fonseca’s status as a protégé, with Andy Murray also expressing excitement about a potential future showdown between the two young stars.
Fonseca’s journey mirrors Alcaraz’s in its audacity and ambition. After turning pro in February 2024, forgoing college offers, Fonseca has embraced the pressure of being Brazil’s brightest tennis hope since Gustavo Kuerten. His Australian Open upset over Rublev, a 7-6, 6-3, 7-6 thriller, marked him as the fourth-youngest player since 1990 to defeat a top-10 opponent at a major. “I knew there is going to be a lot of Brazilians here in Paris,” Fonseca said after his Roland Garros debut, where he reached the third round, echoing his ability to thrive under pressure. Currently 33rd in the ATP Race with only 141 points to defend through 2025, Fonseca is poised to climb further, with upcoming tournaments in Toronto, Cincinnati, and the US Open offering chances to cement his status.
Eubanks’ defense highlights a broader truth: young players need time to mature. Fonseca’s versatility, blending Alcaraz’s flair with Jannik Sinner’s precision, positions him as a future contender. “I want to be like them. I want to win Grand Slams,” Fonseca said, inspired by the Alcaraz-Sinner rivalry. As he prepares for the North American hard-court swing, Fonseca carries the weight of expectations but also the promise of a bright future, with Eubanks’ words serving as a reminder that even the greatest, like Alcaraz, faced early doubts before rewriting tennis history.
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