Fonseca Soars to Glory, Clinches First Major Title in Basel
Brazilian sensation triumphs over Davidovich Fokina with a score of 6-3, 6-4
October 26, 2025
Image Credit: Getty Images
Joao Fonseca is now the third-youngest champion at the ATP 500 level since its inception in 1990.
By Sam Jacot
On Sunday at the Swiss Indoors Basel, Joao Fonseca dazzled crowds by securing his second career title, marking his first victory at the prestigious ATP 500 level, and handing Alejandro Davidovich Fokina yet another heart-wrenching defeat in a final.
The 19-year-old displayed unrivaled courage in this pivotal match, achieving a decisive 6-3, 6-4 victory against Davidovich Fokina, who now holds a disappointing 0-5 record in tour finals.
Notably, Fonseca is the first Brazilian to capture a title over ATP 250 level since the legendary Gustavo Kuerten won the ATP Masters 1000 in Cincinnati back in 2001. He also stands as the third-youngest athlete to win an ATP 500 title since 2009.
“This feels surreal. My heartfelt gratitude goes to my family and coaches who supported me through this incredible journey,” Fonseca shared. “My parents rearranged their travel plans from Brazil to be here just an hour before the match, and it’s overwhelming to have them witness this milestone. Competing in this tournament is a true honor, and I couldn’t be happier.”
Fonseca’s recent triumph in Switzerland caps a series of remarkable achievements in his burgeoning career. Last December, he claimed the Next Gen ATP Finals title in Jeddah, followed by his first Top 10 victory against Andrey Rublev at the Australian Open.
The young star also captured the ATP 250 title in Buenos Aires, making history as the youngest South American champion in the ATP Tour Era (since 1990). Following his latest win, Fonseca will ascend to a career-high rank of No. 28 in the PIF ATP Rankings, a stunning rise from No. 145 at the start of the year.
“They’ve always believed in me,” Fonseca reflected on his parents. “I considered going to university, but they left the choice to me, assuring me they’d stand by my decision. I owe so much to them. My mother has been my companion through many journeys since I was 11, and this title is for her.”
HISTORY IN BASEL 🏆
Joao Fonseca becomes the youngest champion since ’89, celebrating the biggest win of his career! 🔥#SwissIndoorsBasel pic.twitter.com/MktBSkjO9O
— ATP Tour (@atptour) October 26, 2025
Fonseca’s commanding performance featured 15 winners in the first set, consistently pressuring Davidovich Fokina, who struggled to manage the Brazilian’s explosive power. The young talent asserted control near the baseline and clinched the opening set on his fourth set point. He maintained the momentum in the second set, serving for the match after narrowly missing a championship point at 5-3. This victory marks Fonseca’s 2-0 lead over Davidovich Fokina in their head-to-head matches, all completed in a swift 86 minutes.
Fonseca achieved a commendable performance rating of 8.91, integrating metrics like In Attack, Conversion, Steal, and Shot Quality to showcase his overall gameplay level. The #NextGenATP standout recorded 28 winners against 19 unforced errors, and his fierce forehand averaged a speed of 81 mph, outpacing Davidovich Fokina by six mph. Fonseca’s season record now stands at 25-15, per the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index.
For Davidovich Fokina, this latest setback adds to a season of disappointment, as he now possesses four final losses in 2025, totaling five. He previously squandered two championship points against Miomir Kecmanovic in Delray Beach and three against Alex de Minaur in Washington before falling to Tomas Machac in Acapulco.
Despite the heartache, the Spaniard has climbed to No. 15 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings and is set to achieve a career-high ranking on Monday.
Fun Fact:
Fonseca becomes the second-youngest champion in the tournament’s history, following Jim Courier, who won at age 19 in 1989.
