As the lush green courts of Wimbledon prepare to host the world’s tennis elite, a captivating moment unfolded on Saturday, June 28, 2025, at Aorangi Park, where two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz shared the practice court with 18-year-old Brazilian prodigy João Fonseca. The session, a fiercely competitive practice set ending 7-5 in Alcaraz’s favor, wasn’t just a warm-up for the Grand Slam starting June 30—it was a glimpse into the future of tennis, with the Spaniard hailing Fonseca’s “big game” and predicting a “big future on grass.” Their camaraderie and mutual respect have set the stage for an electrifying Wimbledon, where Alcaraz chases history and Fonseca makes his main-draw debut.
Alcaraz, the 22-year-old world No. 2, is riding an 18-match winning streak at Wimbledon, fresh off his 2025 French Open triumph over Jannik Sinner in a marathon five-set final. Aiming to join Bjorn Borg as only the second man in the Open Era to win the Roland Garros-Wimbledon double in consecutive years, Alcaraz is also chasing a third straight Wimbledon title, a feat achieved by just four men: Borg, Pete Sampras, Roger Federer, and Novak Djokovic. “I really want to win the title. I really want to lift the trophy,” Alcaraz said, radiating confidence. “I’m not thinking about how many players have done it, winning three Wimbledons in a row. I just want to be ready and prepare myself in the best way possible.” His preparation included this high-energy session with Fonseca, a player he’s watched closely since their last practice in 2023 at the Nitto ATP Finals. “I was excited about hitting with him,” Alcaraz shared. “He’s quite new on grass, but his style—he loves to play aggressively, to hit big forehands, go to the net. I’m pretty sure he’s going to get the level on grass really, really soon.”
Fonseca, ranked No. 54, has been a revelation in 2025. The former junior world No. 1 and 2024 Next Gen ATP Finals champion burst into the spotlight with a stunning first-round upset over world No. 9 Andrey Rublev at the Australian Open, becoming only the second teenager since 1973 to defeat a top-10 player in a Grand Slam debut. His first ATP title in Buenos Aires and a third-round run at Roland Garros further cemented his rise. Despite limited grass-court experience, Fonseca notched his first tour-level grass win at Eastbourne, defeating Zizou Bergs, and pushed world No. 5 Taylor Fritz to a tight three-setter. “I know everything is possible,” Fonseca said, reflecting on his Wimbledon debut. “I can lose first round. I can win the tournament. I just need to focus match after match.” His aggressive style, marked by powerful forehands and net play, drew praise from Alcaraz, who sees echoes of his own all-court versatility. “He’s someone that I have to be careful of!” Alcaraz noted with a smile, acknowledging Fonseca’s potential to shake up the tour.
The practice session, captured by Wimbledon’s social media, was a spectacle of athleticism and camaraderie. Under the watchful eyes of fans and journalists, the two traded blistering rallies, with Fonseca’s raw power meeting Alcaraz’s lightning-fast movement and precision. “He’s a very good person, a great player already,” Alcaraz said, offering mentorship. “He knows if he has any doubts or wants to ask me anything, I’m open. I’m here for whatever he needs.” Fonseca, who idolizes Roger Federer and once experimented with a one-handed backhand, called the experience “magical,” especially training with a player he aspires to emulate. “I want to be like Alcaraz and Sinner,” he admitted last year, and this session was a step toward that dream.
As Wimbledon 2025 begins, Alcaraz opens on Centre Court against Fabio Fognini, a former top-10 veteran, while Fonseca faces British No. 2 Jacob Fearnley in a popcorn first-round clash. Fonseca holds a 2-0 head-to-head edge over Fearnley from 2025 meetings in Canberra and Indian Wells, but the home crowd will test his resolve. A potential third-round matchup with No. 8 seed Holger Rune or a quarter-final against Alcaraz looms if both advance. “His level is pretty high so far,” Alcaraz said of Fonseca, noting areas for growth. “There are a few things he has to learn because he’s so young and just starting to play these tournaments.” For Fonseca, the pressure is a privilege. “My coach always says I like playing with pressure,” he said. “Sometimes it puts my heart on alert, and I play better.”
This reunion underscores a passing of the torch. Alcaraz, a five-time Grand Slam champion at 22, represents tennis’s present, while Fonseca, with his fearless game and meteoric rise, embodies its future. As Alcaraz chases history and Fonseca seeks to make his mark, their shared moment at Wimbledon 2025 signals a new era on grass, where power, speed, and heart collide.
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