Nineteen-year-old Brazilian tennis player João Fonseca is set to make his main draw debut at the US Open 2025, the final Grand Slam of the season, in New York. On Sunday, August 24, the Rio native will face Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic, currently ranked 45th by the ATP, in a match expected to be closely contested. Additionally, Fonseca will celebrate his birthday on Thursday, August 21, playing a doubles exhibition alongside Argentine Juan Martín Del Potro, the 2009 champion, in the Stars of the Open event at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The match, pitting them against Americans Andy Roddick and Alex Michelsen, will be broadcast on ESPN and Disney+. The event marks the US Open Fan Week, hyping up the tournament running from August 24 to September 7. This mix of commitments highlights Fonseca’s meteoric rise as Brazil’s biggest male tennis prospect since Gustavo Kuerten.
Fonseca’s 2025 season has been remarkable. He reached the 44th spot in the world rankings, with standout wins against players like Andrey Rublev at the Australian Open. His US Open participation, where he won the junior title in 2023, is a milestone in his professional career. The exhibition with Del Potro, a tennis icon, boosts Fonseca’s visibility as he aims to surpass his previous best of third-round finishes in Grand Slams.
🔹Sorteio realizado para a chave do US Open!R1 🇧🇷João Fonseca (44º) X 🇷🇸Miomir Kecmanović (45º)Ele está no quadrante do Taylor Fritz e enfrenta o vencendor entre 🇮🇹Nardi e 🇨🇿Machac caso avance. pic.twitter.com/g81hA4qO9A— João Fonseca Updates (@fonsecaupdates) August 21, 2025
João Fonseca’s 2025 season highlights:
Defeated Andrey Rublev, then world number 9, at the Australian Open.
Won the ATP 250 in Buenos Aires, youngest South American champion in the Open Era.
Reached the third round at Roland Garros and Wimbledon.
His US Open preparation included intense training with players like Taylor Fritz and Alex De Minaur, focusing on consistency on hard courts.
Path at US Open 2025
João Fonseca takes on Miomir Kecmanovic, 25, in the first round. The Serbian, once a top-30 player, has had an uneven 2025, with 17 wins and 20 losses. Still, his experience in high-level tournaments, with two ATP titles, makes this a tough test for Fonseca. The Brazilian, facing Kecmanovic for the first time, relies on his aggressive style and speed to prevail. If he advances, he could meet Czech Tomas Machac, the 21st seed, or Italian Luca Nardi in the second round. Third-round opponents might include Jakub Mensik, Nicolas Jarry, or Fabian Marozsan.
Fonseca’s projected path is challenging but offers a chance to solidify his top-50 status. Further progress could lead to clashes with Taylor Fritz in the round of 16, Novak Djokovic in the quarterfinals, or Carlos Alcaraz in the semifinals. The US Open 2025 draw, finalized on Thursday, places Fonseca in a competitive quadrant, demanding consistency in five-set matches, an area he’s been refining with coach Guilherme Teixeira.
Fonseca’s potential opponents:
First round: Miomir Kecmanovic (45th).
Second round: Tomas Machac (22nd) or Luca Nardi (83rd).
Third round: Jakub Mensik (16th), Nicolas Jarry, or Fabian Marozsan.
Round of 16: Taylor Fritz (4th) or Brandon Nakashima (32nd).
Del Potro exhibition: A birthday gift
On his 19th birthday, João Fonseca will have a special moment at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The Stars of the Open exhibition, part of Fan Week, pairs him with Juan Martín Del Potro against Andy Roddick, former world number 1 and 2003 US Open champion, and Alex Michelsen, a 20-year-old American ranked 30th. Scheduled for 9 PM (Brasília time), the match will air live on ESPN2, Disney+, and SporTV 3, drawing thousands of viewers, especially in Brazil.
Del Potro, retired since 2022, is known for his powerful serve, forehand, and global fanbase. His 2009 US Open win over Roger Federer remains a tournament highlight. For Fonseca, playing alongside the Argentine is a learning opportunity and a visibility boost. They previously shared the court as opponents at the Rio Open 2025, where Del Potro praised Fonseca’s potential to “revive South American tennis.”
Stars of the Open lineup:
Coco Gauff and Andre Agassi vs. Venus Williams and John McEnroe.
Gaël Monfils and Elina Svitolina vs. Flavia Pennetta and Flavio Cobolli.
Dana Mathewson and Jack Sock vs. Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Casey Ratzlaff.
João Fonseca and Juan Martín Del Potro vs. Andy Roddick and Alex Michelsen.
Bia Haddad in women’s draw: A fresh challenge
As Fonseca gears up, Beatriz Haddad Maia, world number 22, also hits the court at US Open 2025. She faces British player Sonay Kartal, ranked 51st, in a rematch of their Indian Wells clash, where Kartal won 2-0. The 29-year-old Brazilian aims to improve her Grand Slam record after early exits in tournaments like the WTA 500 in Monterrey. Kartal, who reached Wimbledon’s round of 16, poses a threat on fast courts, but Haddad banks on her experience and power to move forward.
Haddad’s US Open performance is key to holding her top-25 ranking. She’s been training to enhance her stamina for long matches, critical against Kartal. Their budding rivalry adds a revenge factor, with Haddad aiming to overturn her March loss.
Bia Haddad’s 2025 highlights:
Lost to Sonay Kartal at Indian Wells (6/2, 6/1).
Early exit at WTA 500 in Monterrey.
Best Grand Slam result: third round at Roland Garros.
Tournament preparation and expectations
Fonseca’s US Open prep included training with top players like Taylor Fritz, the 2024 finalist, and Alex De Minaur. Conducted in Cincinnati, these sessions focused on lateral movement and rally consistency, areas Fonseca targeted after losing to Térence Atmane at the Cincinnati Masters 1000. The Laykold surface at the US Open suits his aggressive game, blending speed and power.
Opting out of the ATP 250 in Winston-Salem, Fonseca prioritized training and the Stars of the Open. This strategy aligns with his long-term goals, including reaching the top 40 by year-end and earning a seed at the 2026 Australian Open. Praise from legends like Andy Roddick, Novak Djokovic, and Carlos Alcaraz underscores his generational talent.
João Fonseca’s 2025 goals:
Reach the ATP top 40.
Advance past the third round in a Grand Slam.
Represent Brazil in the Davis Cup against Greece in September.
Join the Laver Cup with Alcaraz and Zverev.
Boost for Brazilian tennis
João Fonseca and Bia Haddad’s participation in the US Open 2025 puts Brazil in the global tennis spotlight. At 19, Fonseca draws comparisons to Gustavo Kuerten for his aggressive mindset and charisma. His 2023 US Open junior title and 2025 professional performances signal readiness for bigger challenges. Haddad, the women’s tennis benchmark in Brazil, aims to cement her top-25 status.
The Stars of the Open, featuring Fonseca with Del Potro, highlights Brazil’s growing presence. The blend of young stars and legends inspires new talent, with live broadcasts on ESPN and Disney+ boosting domestic interest in the sport.
Key moments for Brazilian tennis in 2025:
Fonseca’s ATP 250 title in Buenos Aires.
Haddad’s WTA wins, securing her top-25 spot.
Fonseca’s Laver Cup appearance with global stars.
Fonseca’s US Open debut and Del Potro exhibition mark chapters in a promising career. Coached by Guilherme Teixeira, the Brazilian blends natural talent with dedication, positioning him as a fan favorite. Meanwhile, Haddad aims to overcome recent setbacks in New York. The US Open 2025 promises to be a milestone for Brazilian tennis, with both athletes ready to shine at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
