Joao Fonseca had never faced a younger opponent in his ATP career.
After Sunday’s 7-6(4), 4-6, 6-1 loss to Spain’s Rafael Jodar, he now has a first-hand understanding that he is not the only teenager boldly carrying “next big thing” expectations on the ATP Tour.
Jodar—just under a month younger than Fonseca—got the better of the Brazilian in a highly anticipated clash that featured momentum swings and one decisive surge from the Spaniard that ultimately put the match out of reach.
“Joao is a very tough player, so these matches are decided by very small details,” Jodar, born and raised in Madrid, said. “I think I did a great job in those moments, trying to play my game.”
Fonseca and Jodar captured the US Open boys’ singles titles in 2023 and 2024, respectively. They have come a long way since and are currently the only two teenagers ranked inside the Top 100 (Jodar at No. 42, Fonseca at No. 31).
“I’m sure he’s going to do great things,” Jodar said of Fonseca, speaking as if he were a ten-year veteran of the tour. “He’s a very young player, a great player, so I wish him the best.”
He played like a veteran, too.
In a clinical third set, Jodar raced through the opening five games, leaning on his lethal backhand and repeatedly targeting Fonseca’s backhand to take control in the key moments.
With the win, Jodar became just the third Spanish teenager this century to reach the round of 16 in Madrid—joining Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz.
Backing up his first career Top 10 win—earned Friday against Alex de Minaur—Jodar improved to 11 wins in his last 12 matches and set up a fourth-round meeting with Vit Kopriva, the World No. 66.
“It was Jodar who just had a little bit more with his backhand,” opined Jim Courier after commentating the first-time tussle on Tennis Channel. “I think that was the difference. Fonseca’s forehand came and went—it was a big factor in set two—but the backhand change of direction from Jodar is something special.”
It was a memorable tussle from start to finish.
Jodar struck first in the opening set, but Fonseca broke back to level at 3-3. In the tiebreak, it was the Spaniard who surged ahead, building a 5-1 lead before closing it out with two composed service points.
Fonseca responded by taking control with his forehand in the second set, but he was unable to sustain that level in the decider. Jodar dictated play with maturity beyond his years, managing both the crowd and what appeared to be the early signs of cramping—though that was not confirmed.
He remained aggressive throughout the final set, ultimately overwhelming the hard-hitting Brazilian, who obliterated his racquet after falling behind 2-0 in the set.
“He’s living up to all the hype,” said Tennis Channel’s Sam Querrey of Jodar. “There’s a lot of pressure on him coming into Madrid, especially with no Alcaraz—he’s kind of the face of the tournament on the men’s side.”