CAMPINAS/STARNBERG, September 22, 2023
Junior World No. 1 Joao Fonseca has received a wild card into the main draw of the Campeonato Internacional de Tênis. This was announced by the organizers of the ATP Challenger Tour 100 event on Thursday. The 13th edition of the clay-court tournament will be held at the Sociedade Hípica de Campinas, Brazil from October 2 to 8.
Fonseca, who recently won the US Open junior title, is considered by many experts to be the greatest hope in Brazilian tennis today. The US Open in New York was his last event as a junior player, and now, the 17-year-old from Rio de Janeiro is fully focused on the professional circuit. He has already reached the quarterfinals of the ATP Challenger in Florianópolis in April and achieved two semi-final appearances in ITF World Tennis Tour events, including the São Paulo Tennis Classic in Mogi das Cruzes.
🇧🇷 Joao Fonseca is a junior Grand Slam champion! pic.twitter.com/tUcchqfNDS
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 10, 2023
Ranked 665th in the ATP rankings, Fonseca will have the opportunity to face players with higher rankings, some of whom may be up to 10 years older. This experience will undoubtedly boost his confidence. “My goal is to focus on the professional circuit and challenge myself to the maximum. It will certainly be a great challenge,” says Fonseca, who becomes the third Brazilian confirmed for the main draw after Thiago Monteiro and Felipe Meligeni Alves.
Until now, the teenager has been combining Junior Tour tournaments with occasional appearances on the Pro Circuit. His first professional experience came at the Rio Open in February, where he faced top 60 player Alex Molcan. Eight months later, he considers himself more mature and prepared to make an impact in Campinas and, perhaps, climb up the rankings significantly by the end of the season.
“I see this invitation as a great challenge. I had the opportunity to play in the Rio Open this year, and now I’ll be able to compete in Campinas. I’m super happy, excited, and grateful for the wildcard and for this chance to play in such an important tournament,” Fonseca concludes.
