What should Fonseca do to make 2026 a success for him?

Diego Jiménez Rubio | 23 Dec 2025 | 18.34

Joao Fonseca, chances for success in 2026. Photo: gettyimages

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Maximum expectations, incessant media spotlights on his figure, and overflowing hopes of becoming that third leg of the Big 3. That's what surrounds Joao Fonseca and what he can achieve in the new season. The young Brazilian faces a 2026 that could be crucial for his professional career, and we wonder what would be considered a great success for him in the upcoming season.

The feeling that he is more than just a good tennis player still in development is becoming increasingly powerful around the figure of Joao Fonseca. Few players in recent decades, beyond Alcaraz, have managed to generate as much interest and anticipation as the Brazilian has in the last year. The spectacularity of his tennis, the charisma he exudes, the enormous potential still to be developed at 19 years old, along with that competitive ability that makes him shine in major events, make the carioca one of the major attractions of 2026.

He will face a year that could be decisive in his career. If he aims to firmly position himself this season as a real alternative, or in the short term, to Sinner and Alcaraz, aspiring to become the third member of the Big 3, he will need to take a qualitative leap. His accomplishments in 2025 were outstanding, finishing the year as world No. 28, with two titles and victories in all four Grand Slams. It goes without saying that the pace at which he is evolving suggests that this upcoming season might see him explore his limits and set lofty goals, but rushing should be avoided.

If there's one thing tennis has taught us, it's that one can become a historic player without needing to reach glory at 20. Djokovic, Federer, Wawrinka, and Sinner himself were far behind the results Fonseca has achieved at his current age, and we need not remember the feats they accomplished. Still, it's hard not to get excited about seeing an even more complete Joao Fonseca in 2026, refining aspects that need improvement seen this year and competing with greater consistency and brilliance throughout the year.

Challenges for Joao Fonseca to have a successful 2026 season

1. Reach the second week of a Grand Slam

So far, Fonseca has not made it past the third round in a major. Already starting as a seeded player in Australia, it is expected and even demanded that the Brazilian reaches at least the round of 16 in one of the four major tournaments of the year. Reaching the semifinals in any of them would be a resounding success.

2. Win more than one title, including a Masters 1000

Fonseca's impressive performance this year sets expectations for seeing him lift several champion's trophies. He started with an ATP 250 in Buenos Aires, clinched an ATP 500 in Basel, and the next logical step would be to triumph in a Masters 1000 event. It will be challenging, but he has the skills to achieve it.

3. Enter the top-10 of the ATP ranking

The best indicator of a player's consistency is the ranking. Therefore, after breaking into the top 30 this season, Fonseca could set the ambitious yet logical goal of experiencing what it's like to be in the top 10 of the ATP ranking. With several parts of the season having few points to defend, it could be a favorable scenario to see him climbing in the rankings.

4. Defeat some of the world's best players

Many eagerly await the opportunity to see Fonseca facing off against Alcaraz, Sinner, Zverev, or Djokovic. The Brazilian has yet to challenge himself against these opponents, which would be a good measure of his progression. If he manages to beat any of them in a match, the confidence boost gained would be tremendous.

5. Evolve as a player to become much more complete

Joao's talents are as evident as the areas of his game with considerable room for improvement. To achieve any of the aforementioned objectives, the Brazilian must be more patient in structuring his attacking play, reduce unforced errors, find that ball speed enabling aggressiveness without excessive risk, improve his return stats, and enhance his backhand.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, ¿Qué debe hacer Fonseca para que el 2026 sea un éxito para él?

Joao Fonseca