Kafelnikov also backs Fonseca: "We will see him here, if not next year, the year after"
The Russian is visiting this week at the Nitto ATP Finals, an event he has competed in seven times: "The only downside of this tournament is that I always had to play against Sampras".
A tournament with as much tradition as the Nitto ATP Finals gains significance when past legends pay a visit years later. It's true that Yevgeny Kafelnikov never managed to lift the title, though not for lack of trying.
Yevgeny Kafelnikov qualified for the year-end championships up to seven times but never clinched the victory. In 2025, over two decades since his retirement, the Russian is in Turin to reconnect with the circuit, currently dominated by two players. This forms the basis of most of his discourse in an interview with ATP. Yet, the former world number one is certain that this duo could soon become a trio, surprising people sooner than expected. Who is his top bet?
For now, it's Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. "It's clear that we are witnessing a rivalry that is a tennis dream," Yevgeny points out. "It wouldn't be good if only one dominated because it's their charisma that perfectly complements each other. They are like the yin and the yang, one has his style, and the other is completely different, which is why fans adore them. I think this week in Turin clearly demonstrates it; both Jannik and Carlos fill the stadium every day. They are fantastic players for this sport," adds the Sochi native.
Kafelnikov also approves of the venue choice, the Inalpi Arena, which delivers daily. "It's wonderful to see what happens when Italians play, honestly, I would have loved for this tournament to be held in Moscow back in the year 2000 when Marat Safin and I were in the top 10 worldwide. We would have filled every stadium! I admit that Turin is a fantastic place; organizing tournaments where tennis is very popular is a total success. Right now, I'm convinced that there is no better city than this, here in Italy, to host this event," assures the champion of the 1996 French Open and the 1999 Australian Open.
The Russian, who competed in the year-end championships between 1995 and 2001, came one match away from the title in 1997, losing to the great of his era. "I thoroughly enjoyed the edition we played in Frankfurt in 1995, in a fantastic arena. The following four years were held in Hannover, which was also great. The only downside was that I always had to face Pete Sampras every time, starting from 1997. He was the player constantly on my heels; I could never defeat him, but I enjoyed it nonetheless," nostalgically recalls the former world number one.
Kafelnikov Favors Fonseca for the Future
Looking to the future, Kafelnikov is certain that Alcaraz and Sinner will continue to set the pace on the circuit but doesn't hesitate to add a third player to the mix, publicly confessing his preference for the Brazilian Joao Fonseca. Many voices are beginning to point towards Joao as the main candidate to challenge the current duopoly between the Spanish and Italian, although only time will tell if they are correct.
"With all he has achieved this season, I believe Joao Fonseca is a player to watch for next year. He has won some significant tournaments, like the recent one in Basel a few weeks ago. If he continues at this level and pace of growth, I am convinced that, if not next year, we will see him here the following year," predicts Yevgeny about the 19-year-old.
This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Kafelnikov también apuesta por Fonseca: “Le veremos aquí, si no el año que viene, al siguiente”