The world number 1 interrupts the Brazilian’s reaction and wins a match 2-1 on a pitch set up in a baseball stadium
December 9
2025
– 00:56
(updated at 01:21)
MIAMI – The long-awaited meeting between the best tennis player in the world and the most promising young player ended today with the victory of the now more mature and consistent athlete. Number 1 in the ranking, Carlos Alcaraz beat the Brazilian João Fonseca by 2 sets to 1 in a high-level exhibition match played in Miami – partials of 7/5, 2/6 and 10/8.
Alcaraz and Fonseca clashed LoanDepot Parkhome of the Miami Marlins, a baseball franchise that competes in the major sports league in the United States, Major League Baseball (MLB).
Brazilians were notably the majority in the stands. Many people living in Miami, an immigration center with a large Latino community, or from Brazil were there to support the 19-year-old from Rio. With every Fonseca hit or Alcaraz error, there was a thrill.
Foreigners and Americans noted a good level of competition. Neither played their best tennis, but both took the friendly match seriously at times.
Obviously, they didn’t play like they were playing a Grand Slam. They used the match as a timely pre-season event.
In part of the confrontation, the expressions revealed that the two faced a friendly match as it is: they laughed, joked and risked common blows just for a duel in which there are no points at stake or a trophy.
The official broadcast of the event itself allowed for jokes. In the second set, Fonseca counted the number of points since he put on his white cap.
Recovered from a recent injury, the Spaniard began his preparation for next year a few days ago. The Brazilian is in the middle of pre-season.
The number 1 in the ATP ranking took more seriously the first set, which was balanced until the Spaniard broke the Brazilian’s serve and opened the advantage to win the game 7-5.
In the second, Alcaraz relaxed. Fonseca, a little more focused, takes advantage. It opened 4-0 and closed 6-2. In the last part, defined by a super tie-break, the Spaniard refocused, even if he started badly.
Aggressive from the back, Fonseca opened the score 5-0, but when Alcaraz is determined and focused, it is difficult to stop him. The Spaniard slowed down the Brazilian’s reaction and saw Fonseca make more errors at the end to claim a 10-8 victory.
Currently 24th in the world, Fonseca ended the year 2025 with two titles: the ATP 500 in Basel and the ATP 250 in Buenos Aires. He rose more than 100 places in the ATP rankings and showed that even as a child he was a special player, with the potential to be among the best, perhaps even reaching Alcaraz in the future.
Alcaraz, 22, has returned to the top of the rankings in recent weeks and is having his best season in 2025. He has lifted two trophies, including two Grand Slams, the US Open and Roland Garros, with victories in the final over Jannik Sinner, today his biggest challenger. In 2026, his main ambition is to win the Australian Open for the first time.
The event, called Miami Invitational Tournamentalso organized a women’s duel and a mixed doubles duel on the field. In a match between two Americans, Amanda Anisimova beat Jessica Pegula by 2 sets to 0 – partials of 6/2 and 7/5.
In doubles, Alcaraz and Pegula defeated Fonseca and Anisimova in a single-set duel in a super tie-break format. More consistent, the Spaniards and Americans won 9-6.
*The journalist traveled at the invitation of Itaú
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