Laver Cup
Fonseca Shines in Laver Cup Debut as Alcaraz Swings Back in Doubles
Team Europe leads the way at 3-1 after the first day
September 20, 2025
Ezra Shaw/Getty Images for Laver Cup
Team World’s Joao Fonseca claims victory over Flavio Cobolli in his inaugural Laver Cup match.
By Arthur Kapetanakis
Joao Fonseca made an electrifying entrance at the 2025 Laver Cup, securing a thrilling win for Team World before Carlos Alcaraz and Jakub Mensik extended Team Europe’s lead to 3-1 on Friday in San Francisco.
At just 19 years old, Fonseca made history as the youngest athlete to participate in the Laver Cup. After a rocky start, trailing 2-4 in the first set against Flavio Cobolli, he rallied impressively, winning five consecutive games and seizing control of the singles match. His 6-4, 6-3 victory injected fresh energy into Team World, paving the way for Alcaraz and Mensik’s decisive 7-6(7), 6-4 win over Taylor Fritz and Alex Michelsen. This match marked Alcaraz’s return to play after clinching the US Open title and reclaiming the No. 1 spot in the PIF ATP Rankings.
Facing a daunting potential 0-3 deficit, Fonseca ignited Team World and the San Francisco crowd with his powerful shot-making, leaving Cobolli flummoxed, even with tennis legend Roger Federer cheering him on from the stands.
“My team really lifted my spirits throughout the match,” said Fonseca, born just 12 days before new Team World captain Andre Agassi announced his retirement at the 2006 US Open. “I felt a bit more anxious than usual—totally normal. As I interacted more with Andre and the team, I found my rhythm. Although I started strong, I was still a bit jittery and made some errors, but once I settled in, I couldn’t be more thrilled with the outcome.”
The crowd erupted in chants of Fonseca’s name, and the celebrations continued with his captain and teammates joining in the excitement following this crucial victory.
Alcaraz and Mensik quickly dashed the home team’s joy with a masterful doubles performance, facing no break points, according to Infosys ATP Stats. However, they had to fend off a set point while returning at 5/6 in the tie-break. The critical break came in the match’s final game, with Fritz unable to extend the exciting encounter.
“Doubles allows for even more thrilling shots and volleys,” Alcaraz stated, showcasing his flair on the court. “But it’s crucial to collaborate with a great partner, and Jakub was fantastic today. His remarkable skills and sharp volleys really made me feel at ease on the court.”
Mensik, who also bested Michelsen in singles earlier that day, rounded off a perfect debut by winning both of his matches on Day 1. The excitement continues in San Francisco on Saturday, starting at 1 p.m. local time.
Historically, no team has ever come back from a 3-1 deficit in Laver Cup history since its inception in 2017.
