Joao Fonseca, a Brazilian tennis prodigy who’s on the rise in the ATP Tour, has become a name that resonates among tennis enthusiasts worldwide. With comparisons to Carlos Alcaraz and receiving accolades from the grandmaster himself, Novak Djokovic, Fonseca, who is yet to turn 19, is on a trajectory to stardom. But who is the force guiding this young talent? The answer lies with former ATP professional, Guilherme Teixeira.
Teixeira, a fellow Brazilian born in 1987, had a brief stint in professional tennis, peaking at world No. 1,668 in doubles back in 2006. Despite the relatively short-lived career, Teixeira has found his calling in shaping the future of Brazilian tennis, and Joao Fonseca is the living testament to his coaching prowess.
Teixeira’s association with Fonseca dates back to when the latter was only 12, displaying his skills at the Rio de Janeiro Country Club. Their professional relationship quickly evolved into a deep bond, with Fonseca referring to Teixeira as his “second father” and “one of my best friends.” Fonseca credits their close ties for their successful working relationship, which has seen him claim notable victories, including the 2024 Next Gen ATP Finals title and his first ATP Tour title in Buenos Aires in February 2025.
The collaboration between Fonseca and Teixeira has not just resulted in trophies, but also milestone moments. One such feat was Fonseca’s Grand Slam main draw debut at the 2025 Australian Open, where he triumphed over ninth seed Andrey Rublev in the first round.
Outside the tournament circuit, the duo trains at Yes Tennis, a renowned club in Rio. However, Fonseca’s support system extends beyond just Teixeira. In today’s competitive tennis landscape, a robust team is crucial to a player’s success. For Fonseca, this includes physiotherapist Egídio Magalhaes Jr and physical trainer Emmanuel Jimenez.
Notably, Fonseca has steered clear from major management groups like IMG, opting instead for the services of agent Gustavo Abreu. Abreu, a family friend, shares a close bond with Fonseca and was by his side when he clinched his first ATP title in Buenos Aires.
As we continue to watch Fonseca’s progress on the ATP Tour, we can’t help but wonder if he will join the ranks of Grand Slam winners like Roger Federer. One thing’s for sure, under the tutelage of Guilherme Teixeira, he’s on the right path.