The 2026 Rio Open turned out to be a summit of tennis generations this weekend. Guest of honor Andre Agassi was the center of attention all weekend, culminating in a poetic moment on Sunday as he personally handed the doubles trophy to his young protégé, João Fonseca, following the teenager’s thrilling comeback win alongside Marcelo Melo.
While in Cidade Maravilhosa, the eight-time Major winner held court with local and international media, offering his signature deep-dive analysis into the career of Joao Fonseca. Agassi, who captained Fonseca at the 2025 Laver Cup, provided a protective yet firm perspective on the Brazilian’s recent singles struggles and the pressure of home-soil expectations:
“Joao should take it as a compliment that people think he has to win every match, but he needs to learn that other people’s expectations aren’t his responsibility. Improving every day is his responsibility,” he said. “I know it’s difficult because we place so much importance on winning or losing, and we forget what we need to do to improve.”
Agassi also reflected on the country where he won his very first title nearly 40 years ago:
“It’s great to be back and have an excuse to return to Brazil,” he said. “I’ve learned firsthand just what kind of passion and environment Brazil can bring to any sporting event. I have a special place in my heart for being here.”