Joao Fonseca reveals what he must improve to match Alcaraz and Sinner

Joao Fonseca is widely seen as the next player poised to challenge Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner’s hold on the top of men’s tennis.

The Brazilian has risen quickly through the ranks in recent years, breaking into the sport’s elite while still only 19 years old.

But despite his rapid rise, it wasn’t until this year that he crossed paths with either of the ATP’s top two players in a tour-level match.

Fonseca lost both matches against Alcaraz and Sinner but didn’t look out of place in either contest. He competed well and held his own for stretches, leaving little reason for concern about where he stands among the game’s best.

If anything, those matches may have confirmed what many already thought about him: that he’s not far off from breaking into that very top tier.

Joao Fonseca explains what sets Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner apart

Even though he performed well in both matches, as well as a recent outing against Alexander Zverev, Fonseca admits he’s not on their level yet.

When asked what separates the best from the rest, he pointed back to that match against Zverev earlier this month.

“Yeah, it was a good match. I mean, it’s always tough to play against those guys,” he said. “They know how to deal and they know how to manage these matches, the important points, they know how to play it. So yeah, it was a very, very difficult match.”

Fonseca took that experience and used it to highlight a broader point about what sets the top players apart: “I think the difference between playing against them is the little things,” he said. “The little important points that you miss… The opportunity’s gonna come like a break point or a time that he feels a little bit more of the pressure is gonna come… but you need to get those important points that you have.”

Zverev gave his own take on Fonseca after their match.

Joao Fonseca explains the steps he still needs to take

Part of what has people so high on Fonseca is his awareness and maturity, which is rare to see in someone at this stage of their career.

He already seems to have a clear understanding of what he needs to do if he wants to reach the top, despite only being 19 years old.

Fonseca was later asked during the same press conference what areas of his game needed work in order for him to close the gap on Alcaraz and Sinner.

Fonseca admitted: “ I think it’s actually consistency. I mean, uh, I have pretty good matches and some matches that I don’t play pretty well, and I need to find a solution to kind of, even when I’m not playing good, to find a way to win the match.”

“So I’m trying to play week after week with consistency, and I’m making good results. like a week during, I don’t know semifinals or another week winning, losing first round another week, doing final again.

“So I’m trying to learn the balance and trying to be more consistent with my results and with my matches and be more solid as well.”

“I think understanding more of the mental part of the game and those things. I’m still learning from this tour but yeah I’m kind of adapting.”

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