Tennis’ offseason exhibition tour continued on Monday night in Miami, where Carlos Alcaraz defeated Joao Fonseca 7-5, 2-6, 10-8. Alcaraz trailed 5-0 in the match tiebreaker before storming back for victory.
WTA stars Amanda Anisimova and Jessica Pegula also participated. Anisimova prevailed over her fellow American in straight sets before Pegula and Alcaraz teamed up to beat Anisimova and Fonseca 10-8 in a super-tiebreaker.
“It was really, really special playing with Joao,” Alcaraz said following the men’s singles match. “I haven’t ever played against him, so that was the first time. And I had never played in a baseball stadium before. It was really special coming back to Miami and playing in front of these special people. They always bring great energy.”
“I almost got it, guys,” Fonseca told the crowd. “It’s a pleasure playing here. It’s a pleasure playing against Carlos and the mixed doubles, as well.”
Alcaraz finished the 2025 campaign at No. 1 in the world. The Spaniard clinched the top spot at the Nitto ATP Finals, where he reached the final before falling to Jannik Sinner. At just 19 years old, Fonseca climbed to No. 24 in the rankings this past season.
“What Joao has done this year is impressive, breaking (into) the top 25 in the first complete year that he has played on the ATP Tour,” Alcaraz said during a pre-event interview. “The question of if he will be able to reach the top 10, top five, top three is gonna be really big for him.
“It’s one thing to reach that position and one thing to maintain your level during the next season. I can see Joao maintaining his level or even improving, so we will see in the next two years if he will be able to break (into) the top 10, the top five. I think he has important and beautiful things ahead of him.”
fun stuff
Big things for Fonseca this year.
My dark horse at the AO
love it
My initial gut feeling is usually right
let’s hope!