One of the biggest rising stars on the global tennis circuit is confirmed for the Rio Open presented by Claro. João Fonseca will return to the tournament for the fourth time – the event where he made his professional debut – and is the second player confirmed for the 12th edition of the ATP 500, which will take place from February 14 to 22 at the Jockey Club Brasileiro in Rio de Janeiro.
Currently ranked world No. 43 and Brazil’s No. 1, Fonseca is a standout of his generation and the youngest player inside the top 100. At 18 years old, the Rio native won his first ATP title in Buenos Aires earlier this year, becoming the youngest Brazilian to claim an ATP title in the Open Era and the youngest South American to do so since Pérez-Roldán in 1987. Fonseca’s other titles include the Next Gen ATP Finals, as well as ATP Challenger titles in Phoenix, Canberra, and Lexington.
In his second year as a professional and his first season competing regularly at the elite level of the ATP Tour, João competed in all four Grand Slam events this year, winning matches in each of them: he qualified for the Australian Open and defeated world No. 9 Andrey Rublev in his main-draw debut; reached the third round at Roland Garros and Wimbledon; and advanced to the second round at the US Open.
Closely connected to the Rio Open since childhood, João became a devoted tennis fan through the tournament. The Brazilian attended the very first edition in 2014 with his family, where he watched players such as Rafael Nadal up close, and went on to attend every subsequent edition. In 2022, João served as an official sparring partner at the event, training during an edition that featured players such as Carlos Alcaraz and Matteo Berrettini, and in 2023 he received a wildcard from the organizers to compete in the ATP 500 main draw, making his ATP Tour debut at home.
The following year, in 2024, João truly caught the world’s attention with his breakthrough run at the Rio Open. It was at the Jockey Club Brasileiro that Fonseca won his first ATP main-draw match and advanced to the quarterfinals, defeating Arthur Fils and Cristian Garin along the way. This campaign marked a turning point in his career and was crucial in his decision to pursue the professional circuit rather than college tennis in the United States. In 2025, Fonseca returned to the tournament for a third time following his title win in Buenos Aires and now prepares to continue his journey in another edition of the biggest tennis tournament in South America.
“The Rio Open is a very special tournament for me, as it represents different experiences in my life. I’ve been there as a fan, as a sparring partner, and it’s where I played my first ATP event. I gained a lot of experience watching great players and high-level tennis up close, and it was the place that inspired me to want to play tennis. I’m excited to compete in another edition at home, in front of my family, friends, and all the Brazilian fans”, said the Rio de Janeiro native.
“João’s story is intertwined with that of the Rio Open – he began his career here and has been with us since the very first edition. It is rare for a player to have the opportunity to compete in an ATP 500 practically in his own backyard. We are experiencing a special and rewarding moment, with João further driving the sport forward during a period of growth for both the Rio Open and tennis in the country,” said Luiz Carvalho, Tournament Director.
João Fonseca joins already confirmed Lorenzo Musetti, a world top-10 player and bronze medalist at the 2024 Olympic Games, in the lineup for the 2026 Rio Open. Further confirmations for the 2026 lineup will be announced soon through the Rio Open’s official channels.
