Fonseca on Key Differences Between Alcaraz and Sinner | ATP Tour

Fonseca Discusses the Distinctions Between Alcaraz & Sinner

19-year-old reflects on his encounter with the reigning World No. 1

March 21, 2026

Joao Fonseca has embarked on an enlightening journey through tennis, having squared off against Jannik Sinner in Indian Wells and now facing off against Carlos Alcaraz in Miami. Despite both players sitting at the top of the PIF ATP Rankings, Fonseca noted distinct differences in their styles.

“Alcaraz wields a broader array of shots than Sinner. Sinner plays like a well-oiled machine, relentlessly executing each shot. In contrast, Carlos possesses an extensive toolkit—he can spin, fire, and swiftly move to the net. It’s a whole new level of complexity that can throw off your rhythm,” Fonseca remarked.

In California, Fonseca pushed eventual BNP Paribas Open champion Sinner to two tie-breaks, seizing opportunities against the Italian. However, the early breaks from Alcaraz in both sets at the Miami Open left Fonseca chasing the match.

“Facing Jannik prepared me to step onto the court fearlessly, aiming to play my game. I had chances but didn’t capitalize, and it’s clear he’s No. 1 for a reason. Now, I’ll focus on analyzing my mistakes to improve,” he said.

The reigning Next Gen ATP Finals champion highlighted how Alcaraz disrupted the rhythm of play with slices, topspin, angles, and other variations—offering a different challenge than Sinner.

“He possesses a vast array of options. You’re uncertain whether it will be a serve, a serve-and-volley, or a wide serve followed by a precise shot. That’s the challenge; to compete against him, you need to almost play flawlessly,” Fonseca explained.

Alcaraz also recognized Fonseca’s talent, expressing admiration for the young player following their encounter, marking the first meeting in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series.

“He has an impressive ability to generate winners from any position on the court. That took me by surprise,” Alcaraz shared. “But I’m well aware of his capabilities—his shots are powerful and precise.”

A year after his breakthrough in Miami, where he advanced to the third round, Fonseca remains committed to learning. And who better to learn from than the world’s top-ranked player?

“It was an enjoyable experience. Carlos hit some truly spectacular shots,” Fonseca reflected. “The match was entertaining, which is fantastic for the fans.”