Joao Fonseca won the NextGen ATP Finals on Sunday, joining a list of famous champions at the prestigious 20-and-under tournament.
Here are the previous NextGen champions, and how they have fared on tour:
2017) Hyeon Chung – Chung immediately made a run to the Australian Open semifinals after triumphing at the NextGen and peaked at No. 19 in the world. However, injuries have reduced the South Korean to minimal activity on tour ever since.
2018) Stefanos Tsitsipas – With a best-ever ranking of No. 3 and two Grand Slam final appearances, Tsitsipas has certainly carved out a great career for himself. Currently world No. 11, the question is if the Greek will ever be able to triumph at a major.
2019) Jannik Sinner – Sinner has climbed to No. 1 in the world after capturing the first two Grand Slams of his career in 2024 (Australian Open and U.S. Open). His incredible season has the Italian atop the rankings with a ton of room to spare.
2021) Carlos Alcaraz – Like Sinner, Alcaraz made the leap from the best of the NextGen to the best in all of tennis. Despite being surpassed by his biggest rival in 2024, the Spaniard added two more major titles to his haul.
2022) Brandon Nakashima – Nakashima has been a bit up and down since lifting the NextGen Trophy, but for the most part he has done well for himself at the ATP level. The American peaked at 35th in September and currently sits at No. 38.
2023) Hamad Medjedovic – There is still plenty of time, of course, but Medjedovic failed to maintain any kind of momentum from his 2023 NextGen victory. Injuries and general poor play this past year have the Serb at No. 114 in the world.
Now it is Fonseca who is the raining champion after he swept through Jeddah with a 5-0 record that featured victories over Arthur Fils and Jakub Mensik. Already one of the most highly touted youngsters on tour, expectations–both external and for himself–are through the roof.
“It is amazing how I have improved physically and mentally,” Fonseca reflected. “I have been very strong mentally, winning matches against Top 50, Top 20 players. I am proud of myself, but of course I want more. My dream is to become No. 1. Of course, now after winning (the) NextGen, I want to enjoy it this week and relax and celebrate with my family. I want to enjoy the moment and I am very pleased and thankful for this year.”
how many slams?