João Fonseca focuses on US Open 2025 and plans Laver Cup debut in September

João Fonseca, an 18-year-old Brazilian tennis player, is setting his sights on the US Open 2025, the final Grand Slam of the year, taking place from August 24 to September 7 on the hard courts of New York. After being eliminated in the third round of the Cincinnati Masters 1000, the athlete opted to skip the ATP 250 in Winston-Salem to focus on physical and technical preparation for the New York tournament. Aiming to achieve his best Grand Slam performance, Fonseca is also preparing for his debut in the Laver Cup in San Francisco, from September 19 to 21, alongside top global tennis stars. This decision reflects the player’s strategy to prioritize high-level competitions, capitalizing on his rising ATP ranking, where he is expected to reach the 44th position, his career best. The tennis player seeks to solidify his progress in 2025, a year marked by historic achievements, such as his title in Buenos Aires and his victory over Andrey Rublev at the Australian Open.

The Brazilian, known for his powerful forehand and charisma on the court, has had an up-and-down season on hard courts. In Cincinnati, he showed resilience by defeating China’s Bu Yunchaokete in the first round and advancing after Alejandro Davidovich Fokina’s withdrawal, but fell to Térence Atmane in the third round. Now, with two weeks free before the US Open, his focus is on intensive training in Rio de Janeiro under the guidance of his coach, Guilherme Teixeira.

• Fonseca’s main goals for the US Open:
  • Reach the round of 16, surpassing his third-round runs at Roland Garros and Wimbledon.
  • Leverage the vibrant support of the Brazilian crowd in New York.
  • Test his endurance in five-set matches, a challenge in Grand Slams.
  • Solidify his top-50 ATP ranking with a strong performance.

Path to the US Open

After his Cincinnati exit, João Fonseca chose not to compete in the ATP 250 in Winston-Salem, a tournament scheduled for the week before the US Open. The decision, according to sources close to the player, was made to avoid physical exhaustion and maximize preparation time. In Rio de Janeiro, Fonseca is training with his physical trainer, Eduardo Faria, focusing on endurance, explosive strength, and technical adjustments to his serve, which was decisive in Cincinnati, where he won 17 of 18 first-serve points in the final set.

This choice reflects Fonseca’s mindset, inspired by former Navy SEAL and motivational speaker David Goggins. In a recent interview, the tennis player emphasized the importance of staying positive and resilient in tough moments, a lesson he plans to apply in New York. He is also working to improve his consistency on hard courts, a surface where he faced challenges, such as his first-round loss in Toronto to Tristan Schoolkate.

Meteoric rise in the rankings

The 2025 season has been a turning point for João Fonseca. Starting the year outside the top 100, he climbed to the 44th spot in the ATP rankings after Cincinnati, becoming the 12th Brazilian to reach the top 50 in history. His journey includes remarkable achievements, such as winning the Buenos Aires title, where he became the youngest South American to claim an ATP tournament since 1987.

• Fonseca’s 2025 season highlights:
  • Victory over Andrey Rublev at the Australian Open, his biggest win to date.
  • ATP 250 title in Buenos Aires, defeating Francisco Cerúndolo in the final.
  • Third-round appearances at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, showing growth across surfaces.
  • First Challenger title in Canberra earlier this year.

His Cincinnati performance, despite the elimination, boosted Fonseca’s confidence. His win over Bu Yunchaokete, in a 2-hour, 19-minute match, showcased his ability to recover after a shaky first set with 18 unforced errors. Davidovich Fokina’s withdrawal in the second round also secured crucial ranking points, cementing his place among the world’s top 50.

Strategy for the US Open

The US Open will mark João Fonseca’s first main-draw appearance at the tournament as a top-50 player. His 2025 Grand Slam performances already show progress: he reached the second round at the Australian Open and the third round at Roland Garros and Wimbledon. In New York, he hopes to capitalize on the energy of the crowd, which often shows up in force to support him, creating an atmosphere akin to the Rio Open.

Fonseca has been training to handle the intensity of five-set matches, a challenge that demands both physical and mental preparation. His coach, Guilherme Teixeira, stresses the importance of maintaining focus throughout matches, as Grand Slam dynamics can shift even with a two-set lead. Additionally, the player is refining his forehand, which, according to Miami Open data, averages 129.6 km/h and 3,338 rpm of spin, placing him among the circuit’s elite.

Expectations for the Laver Cup

Following the US Open, João Fonseca will make another milestone: his debut in the Laver Cup in San Francisco. The team event, featuring the world’s top players, will see the Brazilian join stars like Tommy Paul, Taylor Fritz, and Ben Shelton under Andre Agassi’s leadership. The “Rest of the World” team will face “Europe,” led by Carlos Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev, and Holger Rune.

• What to expect from Fonseca at the Laver Cup:
  • Participation in singles and doubles, testing his versatility.
  • Learning opportunities with veterans like Agassi and teammates.
  • Global exposure, with the Laver Cup broadcast to millions.
  • Potential matchups against top players like Alcaraz or Zverev.

The Laver Cup offers Fonseca a chance to gain experience in a high-pressure yet collaborative environment. Having already shown he can handle seasoned opponents like Rublev, he could surprise in San Francisco.

Goggins-inspired mindset

Mental preparation has been a key factor in João Fonseca’s 2025 season. Drawing inspiration from David Goggins, he has worked to maintain focus and determination in tough moments. In Cincinnati, he credited Goggins’ books for helping him overcome debut anxiety and recover from a tough first set against Bu Yunchaokete. This mindset will be vital at the US Open, where crowd pressure and match intensity can challenge even seasoned players.

Fonseca also relies on his team, including coach Guilherme Teixeira and trainer Eduardo Faria. They are balancing the physical development of the still-growing athlete with the demands of a grueling schedule. The pre-US Open break will be used to fine-tune details, such as court positioning and tactical variation against aggressive opponents.

Brazilian crowd in New York

The presence of Brazilian fans at the US Open is a factor that excites João Fonseca. In tournaments like the Miami Open, he experienced the impact of a vibrant crowd, turning the stadium into a Rio Open-like atmosphere. In New York, expectations are for even stronger support due to the city’s large Brazilian community.

• How the crowd can influence Fonseca’s performance:
  • Creates a favorable atmosphere, intimidating opponents, as seen in Miami against Alex de Minaur.
  • Provides extra energy for long matches, especially in five-set battles.
  • Boosts the player’s confidence, making him feel “at home” abroad.

Fonseca’s connection with fans has been a hallmark since the start of his career. His 2023 US Open junior title, the first for a Brazilian, showcased his ability to shine in New York. Now, as a professional, he aims to replicate that success in the main draw.