As the 2025 ATP and WTA season kicks into gear, all eyes remain on tennis’ established superstars. But legendary coach Rick Macci, the man behind icons like Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova, and Andy Roddick, is looking beyond the usual suspects. And according to him, two teenage sensations are about to send shockwaves through the tennis world before the year is out.
Macci, renowned for his uncanny ability to spot generational talent before the rest of the world catches on, has singled out Brazil’s Joao Fonseca and Russia’s Mirra Andreeva as the breakout players to watch. If his track record is anything to go by, the tennis community better brace itself—because these rising stars are coming fast.
Joao Fonseca: Brazil’s Next Superstar in the Making?
At just 18 years old, Joao Fonseca has already begun making serious noise on the ATP Tour. His stunning first-round victory over World No.9 Andrey Rublev at the 2025 Australian Open marked his official arrival on the big stage.
But that win wasn’t a fluke. Fonseca’s rise has been building for months, with the young Brazilian storming through the Next Gen ATP Finals in December 2024 to claim the title. That success catapulted him into the ATP Top 100, and now, Macci believes he’s just getting started.
“Fonseca will take many scalps of the top 30 players,” Macci boldly predicted on Twitter.
If his trajectory continues, Fonseca could be Brazil’s biggest male tennis star since Gustavo Kuerten—and a genuine future Grand Slam threat.
Mirra Andreeva: A Future WTA Top-Five Player?
On the WTA side, 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva has been steadily breaking down doors, proving she can already go toe-to-toe with the best.
She kicked off 2025 with a semifinal run at the Brisbane International, where she was eventually stopped by World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka. That was no small feat, considering the level of competition. She followed that performance with a fourth-round appearance at the Australian Open, once again falling to Sabalenka but cementing her status as one of the sport’s most dangerous young players.
Andreeva’s recent results have propelled her into the Top 20, with her ranking now sitting at World No.15. But according to Macci, that’s only the beginning.
“Andreeva could dart into the top five and rattle the cage at a few Slams,” he predicted.
With an all-court game, elite movement, and a fearless attitude, Andreeva has already been compared to a young Simona Halep—but with an even higher ceiling. If she continues at this rate, a deep Grand Slam run—or even a shock title—isn’t out of the question.
Macci’s Seal of Approval: A Prophecy Worth Watching
When Rick Macci speaks, the tennis world listens. He saw something in Serena and Venus Williams long before the rest of the world realized they would become legends. He mentored Andy Roddick, who would go on to become a Grand Slam champion and World No.1. He helped Maria Sharapova, a future Wimbledon champion, develop her game at a young age.
Now, he’s turning his attention to Fonseca and Andreeva, and if history is any indicator, the tennis world should take notice.
What’s Next for Tennis’ Future Stars?
Both Fonseca and Andreeva are still young, but they’ve already proven they can hold their own against the world’s best. The 2025 season is shaping up to be their breakout year, and if Macci’s predictions hold true, these two could shake up the ATP and WTA rankings in ways no one saw coming.
Brace yourselves—the next generation of tennis superstars has arrived.