Joao Fonseca has just played Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner in the space of ten days, losing both matches.
However, this will represent a crucial learning curve for the promising youngster, who many are tipping to be the next man to unsettle their current duopoly of the ATP Tour.
Unsurprisingly, given the rivalry shared between these two superstars, Fonseca was asked to pick between them after his recent loss to Carlos Alcaraz.
He was quick with his answer.
Joao Fonseca compares Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner
Whilst keen not to diminish either player’s talents, Joao Fonseca was insistent that Alcaraz boasted more at his disposal.
He claimed: “I think Alcaraz has more arsenal than Sinner. Sinner is more like a robot that just kills the ball and does everything perfect. Carlos, he can do everything. He can do with topspin, fire the ball, has good movement, goes to the net. It’s more difficult to understand the game.”
Joao Fonseca will be the man to unsettle Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner’s duopoly over men’s tennis – Prove us wrong!
Jannik Sinner beat Fonseca at Indian Wells just last week, winning two tiebreaks on his way to the title.
This came after Alcaraz rated Fonseca’s game following their meeting, offering his honest and glowing assessment of the 19-year-old.
The statistics behind Carlos Alcaraz’s Miami Open win over Joao Fonseca
Although the scoreline will reflect a straight-sets win for Alcaraz, it was far from straightforward.
After all, the result was a reflection of the Spaniard’s superiority rather than any major flaws that Fonseca exhibited.
The youngster made fewer unforced errors than his opponent, and conjured three break points, although he failed to convert any of them.
Who do you think will retire with more Grand Slam titles?
Ironically, it was Fonseca’s inability to hit winners compared to Alcaraz that let him down, with his eight paling in comparison to the world number one’s 20.
It was a deserved win for Alcaraz, who was awarded a 9.0 performance rating by the ATP’s analytics.
The fact that Fonseca managed to earn an 8.0 was indicative that he is not far away from soon reaching the level needed to trouble the world’s best.
