Tennis Prodigy João Fonseca Wins Rio Open Debut in Front of Adoring Hometown Crowd

2026-02-18 - 10:23

Key Points The 19-year-old Brazilian beat compatriot Thiago Monteiro 7-6, 6-1 in the first round of the ATP 500 Rio Open — with children chanting his name from the stands Fonseca is the fastest-rising player in men’s tennis: world No. 24 at season’s end, two ATP titles in 2025, and widely tipped as the third