The ATP Next-Gen Finals present the upcoming stars in the tennis world with a brilliant opportunity to announce their names on the big stage. The tournament gives the eight best-performing youngsters of the season a chance to attain bragging rights among their fellow athletes. One such player who has taken this opportunity with both hands is Joao Fonseca, an 18-year-old Brazilian sensation. Fonseca is in the semifinals of the tournament and on course to achieve a big win. As the youngster impresses in Riyadh, a strange fact has come to light about him.

Ahead of the ATP Next-Gen Finals, Fonseca had 7 wins and 7 losses on the ATP Tour and had pocketed $253,093 in prize money over the course of the entire season. However, with his semifinal appearance in Saudi Arabia, the Brazilian youngster will earn at least $260,000, which will be more than what he has earned over the entire year.

Fonseca is yet to taste defeat at the ATP Next-Gen Finals. He has three wins from three matches and has defeated the likes of the top seed, Arthur Fils, Learner Tien, and Jakub Mensik. This is an impressive showing from him ahead of the start of the next season. Fonseca would now aim to go all the way and lift the title in Jeddah.

The ATP Next-Gen Finals in Saudi Arabia is boasting a massive prize money purse. The tournament is offering a sum of over $2 Million in prize money, with the undefeated winner set to pocket $526,480. Fonseca has a chance to win this sum if he prevails in his next two matches. Additionally, all the players participating in the event are also earning an eye-catching sum of $150,000.

Fonseca is enjoying the time of his life in Jeddah. Not only is he having a memorable time on the court but also off the court.

Joao Fonseca meets his childhood hero

Back in 2010, a 4-year-old Joao Fonseca got to click a picture with Rafael Nadal. The two were in South Africa back then during the FIFA World Cup. The two got clicked together along with Fonseca’s mother and the Brazilian sensation got to recreate that moment at the ATP Next-Gen Finals.

Interestingly, Nadal was on a three-day visit to Jeddah for the tournament. Fonseca showed Nadal the picture from 2010 as old memories resurfaced. Earlier this week, Fonseca and Nadal were captured in one frame along with the former’s mother as the trio recreated the moment from 14 years ago.

“Rafa is a legend. I’m a Roger fan, but I also love Rafa. My coach is a Rafa fan. My phone unlock screen is Rafa with a sentence. It has been a pleasure to meet him. Eleven titles in a season is just insane. I will try to do the same,” Fonseca said.

Meanwhile, Fonseca will take on Luca Van Assche in the semifinals of the tournament in Jeddah. It will be their first meeting and Fonseca wants to continue playing fearless tennis. Ahead of their encounter, he revealed, “I know Luca. He is a very solid guy. We are going to face each other for the first time. I am going to do my best and hope I can go for the win.” Their match will take place later today on the Center Court. Do you think Fonseca can go all the way and win the trophy?