Joao Fonseca believes he is "on the right track" to follow in the footsteps of his idol Jannik Sinner, after winning the Next Gen ATP Finals title with victory over Learner Tien. 

The 18-year-old Brazilian overcame American Tien 2-4 4-3 (10-8) 4-0 4-2 in Jeddah to be crowned the second-youngest winner of the competition after Sinner. 

World number one Sinner won the title when he was 18 years and two months old in 2019 in Milan, just two months older than Fonseca. 

Four-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz and world number 11 Stefanos Tsitsipas are also among those who have lifted the title in previous years. 

The teenager was Sinner's hitting partner at last year's ATP Finals, where he was convinced by the Italian to turn professional.

I was really nervous before the match. I knew it was going to be so difficult," Fonseca said.

"I played a final against Learner in juniors at the 2023 US Open, and I know the way he can play. He is such a nice guy and a great player, so I knew it was going to be difficult, mentally and physically. But I got through."

On the world number one, he said before the final: "It would be amazing to replicate Sinner. It shows I'm on the right track, and it would be special."

Everyone, Joao Fonseca

Just four months after claiming his first Challenger Tour title, the 18-year-old takes home the trophy in Jeddah! #OnTheRise | @nextgenfinals pic.twitter.com/jA7Kx9q4e5

— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) December 22, 2024