Joao Fonseca enjoyed a strong Laver Cup debut, comfortably emerging victorious in his only match at the tournament.
In what marked Team World’s sole win on the first day of the tournament, Fonseca defeated Flavio Cobolli 6-4, 6-3 to clinch a point for Andre Agassi‘s side.
The 19-year-old was the only player for the champions not to play multiple matches at the Laver Cup, despite fans’ excitement about the potential of a clash between him and Carlos Alcaraz.
Ultimately, the Brazilian was not selected by Agassi to face the Spaniard, with the American opting for Francisco Cerundolo instead, a decision Fonseca explained after Team World’s triumph.
Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images for Laver CupJoao Fonseca states the reason he was not picked more than once
Speaking to ESPN, the young star said: “I knew that with my Friday game, if anyone messed up, I’d be there.
“On Saturday, everyone played incredible tennis. So, I wasn’t sad or anything about not being selected on Sunday. I was even asked to play doubles, but I’m not an expert.”
Team World completed a sweep on day two of the Laver Cup, winning all four of their ties to claim a maximum of eight points.
Fonseca continued: “We had a team discussion, and we thought they (Cerundolo) were better.
“But, anyway, it’s part of the team, it’s part of the team spirit. I was there on the bench, giving my all, giving 100%, wanting to win. So, it’s part of it. Maybe next time I’ll be playing Saturday, Sunday. We’ll see.”
Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images for Laver CupJoao Fonseca’s results during the North American swing
After his third-round finish at Wimbledon, Fonseca’s North American hard-court swing got off to a difficult start, bowing out in the first round of the Canadian Open to Tristan Schoolkate.
He went two rounds further at the Cincinnati Open, picking up a win against Yunchaokete Bu and advancing via a walkover in his clash with Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, before suffering defeat to Terence Atmane.
Fonseca’s first US Open run ended in the second round to Tomas Machac after securing the sixth Grand Slam victory of his career in round one.
His stateside stint was capped off with a triumph at the Laver Cup, and now the teenager will hope to finish the season strong as he gets his Asian swing underway.