The title of "genius" is too heavy! Fonseca, the defending champion, is eliminated in his first match and says he has no intention to compare himself with Sinner.

At this time last year, 18-year-old Brazilian prodigy Fonseca secured his first ATP Tour victory at the ATP250 Buenos Aires clay event. Before that, he pulled off a "dark horse miracle" by winning the 2024 Next Gen Finals, and shocked the tennis world with an upset over Rublev in the first round of last year's Australian Open, firmly cementing his status as the most promising young player on the men's tour. In late October, he added the ATP500 Basel indoor hard court championship to his achievements. This South American teenager's talent needs no further proof.

Fonseca won his career-first title at the 2025 Buenos Aires tournament.

However, a year later, the fast-moving genius train has entered a slower curve. As the defending champion and third seed at Buenos Aires, Fonseca lost in the second round 6-3, 3-6, 5-7 to Chilean player Tabilo, suffering his third consecutive tour-level defeat and once again raising concerns about his physical condition.

“If I say I’m not under pressure, that would be a lie. I do feel more pressure,” Fonseca admitted at the post-match press conference. “It was a tough match, and playing as the defending champion made me nervous throughout, but I fought hard and gave it my all. I had chances in this match but lacked decisiveness and confidence. I tried everything to motivate myself. I’m frustrated with my legs—they wouldn’t move the way I needed, and my body couldn’t support me to perform at my best. But I believe good results will come, and I can leave here with my head held high.”

Fonseca attending the post-match press conference.

As the new season progresses into mid-February, Fonseca has yet to record any tour-level wins this year. Due to a lower back injury, he withdrew from the Brisbane and Adelaide warm-up events, then lost in four sets to American player Spizzirri in the first round of the Australian Open.

After withdrawing from Brisbane, Fonseca gave a detailed interview to Brazilian media about his injury: “I was born with spinal issues and suffered a stress fracture five years ago. Some days the pain is more intense. It’s a chronic injury that can’t fully heal, so I have to learn to live with it every day.” According to his team, this chronic condition is called lumbar lordosis straightening, also known as “flat back syndrome,” where the natural curvature of the lower back is lost.

As one of the most rapidly rising young stars of the 2025 season, many expect him to be the “third man” challenging Sinner and Alcaraz, but he does not want to be compared that way. “Obviously, people have expectations. There are always talks about my progress; some see me as the next Kuerten, the next Alcaraz, or the next Sinner, but I am writing my own story. Every player has their own path. I don’t like comparisons, though I know they’re inevitable. Sometimes they affect me, sometimes they add pressure, but I usually manage it well.”

“Winning Buenos Aires last year doesn’t mean I will win it again this year. Being ranked 24th in the world at 19 doesn’t mean I’ll be number one next year. I believe everything happens according to its own timing.”

After missing the chance to defend his title in Buenos Aires, Fonseca’s current ranking dropped 4 places to 37th. He hopes to get back on track at next week’s hometown event—the ATP500 Rio de Janeiro clay tournament. “The key is to keep working hard and doing the right things. Losing makes me sad because the outcome could have been different, but I know the road ahead is long,” Fonseca said.

(Written and edited by Wang Fei, photos by Visual China)