WATCH: Joao Fonseca celebrates Next Gen ATP Finals title win

Joao Fonseca became the second youngest champion of the Next Gen ATP tournament on Sunday when he defied his lowly ranking of 145 to defeat Learner Tien in the final.

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Pratyusha Bhawar
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Joao Fonseca

Joao Fonseca Photograph: (Twitter)

Tennis young sensation Joao Fonseca thwarted Learner Tien to be named the second youngest champion of the Next Gen ATP Finals title. The 18-year-old star player, the youngest player in the showpiece event and the lowest-ranked player, overcame the American by 2-4, 4-3, 4-0, and 4-2 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

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Only the world number one, Jannik Sinner, won the title in 2019 and was the youngest player to win the trophy. This tournament has a best of five, with four matches winning a set. Other former champions, including Italian, included four-time Grand Slam winner Carlos Alcaraz and world number 11 Stefanos Tsitsipas.

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Speaking about the match, the American started extremely well and took the opening set to take the lead. However, the Brazilian got himself elevated after a tight second set in the game that went into a long tiebreak. Later, he won the title in the fourth set of the game inJeddah.

Here is how the 18-year-old celebrated the win:

The 18-year-old star player was ecstatic after winning the title. The Brazilian said that he was extremely nervous before the game, and he knew that Tien would give him a great fight in the game. Fonseca also talked about his early and previous encounters against the American in the court, especially recalling the match of the 2023 US Open.

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Joao Fonseca expressing emotions after winning the title:

I played a final against Learner in juniors at the 2023 US Open: Joao Fonseca

“I was really nervous before the match. I knew it was going to be so difficult. 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. Making good results like those guys. Hopefully in the future I can be like them. I want to thank Rafa for being here. He’s such a legend of this sport. It’s meaningful for us players to be in those big stadiums with those guys watching," Fonseca said in his winner’s speech.

Tennis ATP Jannik Sinner