Joao Fonseca is widely considered to be one of tennis’ greatest hopes to challenge Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz in the future.
The Brazilian, who is still only 19 years old, won his first two ATP titles in 2025 at the Argentina Open and the Swiss Indoors.
Fonseca might not be ready to challenge Sinner and Alcaraz yet, but he has all the weapons to succeed on the ATP Tour.
The Brazilian himself has named another rising star who he thinks has all the tools to succeed against Alcaraz and Sinner.
Joao Fonseca tips Jakub Mensik to compete with Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner
Fonseca believes that Mensik will be the next rising star who could trouble Sinner and Alcaraz for Grand Slams.
Mensik has started the season exceptionally well, by lifting his first trophy of the year at the ASB Classic.
Mensik, at 20 years old, lived up to his rising star reputation by defeating Novak Djokovic to win his first Masters title at the Miami Open.
Fonseca, who is firm friends with Mensik, believes he could break up Sinner and Alcaraz’s duopoly on the ATP Tour.
Pick your Australian Open dark horse!
When asked who can challenge Sinner and Alcaraz by The Guardian, the Brazilian said: “I’m going to say [Jakub] Mensik.
“I really like his game. He’s a very complete guy, very confident and also young [at 20]. He’s already won a Masters and he can do great things. He’s a great friend as well.”
Mensik is yet to play either Alcaraz or Sinner on the ATP Tour, although he is in the same half of the draw at the Italian at this year’s Australian Open.
However, Mensik would have to reach the semi-finals of the first Grand Slam of the year in order to play Sinner.
That would very likely only happen if the Czech star defeated Djokovic in the quarter-finals of the event he’s won a record 10 times.
Joao Fonseca responds to claims he can topple Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner
Fonseca is well aware of his ‘future superstar’ tag, but he’s determined to keep his feet on the ground as he navigates the elite end of the ATP Tour.
Fonseca, who currently sits at World No. 32, is prepared to put in the hard yards to reach the top of the game.
In the same interview with The Guardian, he said: “I know what people are saying. I can hear it, I can read it: ‘Is he going to be the next Sinner or Alcaraz?’
Joao Fonseca will be the man to unsettle Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner’s duopoly over men’s tennis – Prove us wrong!
“We don’t know the future. It’s unpredictable. But I’m working very hard towards it and I’m just thinking what I need to do to achieve it.”
Fonseca is yet to play either Sinner or Alcaraz in a competitive match, although he did lose to the Spaniard at an exhibition event in Miami at the end of 2025.
