João Fonseca had a big breakthrough on the ATP Tour this year, winning two titles. The 19-year-old also made his Laver Cup debut in San Francisco, joining Team World. Apart from such confidence boosting, it changed a few locker-room dynamics, especially with top American Taylor Fritz.
João Fonseca Opens Up About His Changed Relationship With Taylor Fritz
Fonseca joined the Laver Cup as the youngest member of Team World, after earning a reputation as one of tennis’ top young talents. Despite having modest expectations, he still made the most of his moment, beating Italy’s Flavio Cobolli in his only match. His win gave Team World important points and helped them win the 2025 Laver Cup title.
But the win wasn’t the only highlight of his week in San Francisco. In an interview with ESPN Brazil, he explained how the Laver Cup completely changed his relationships with several teammates whom he had only admired from a distance, especially Taylor Fritz, someone he had hardly ever spoken with before.
“I didn’t know Fritz so well and we became super close friends. Fritz was a guy who, when I walked past him in the locker room or something, he wouldn’t even say hi. He was much more shy, he didn’t talk to me and man, now after Laver Cup, we talk on WhatsApp,” he admitted.
“He congratulated me after [winning the title in] Basel, so we talk every now and then, and for me it was kind of unexpected, because we had never really talked before and there we ended up becoming really good friends. I had a really great relationship with everyone on the team,” Fonseca added.
Fonseca explained that Fritz wasn’t unfriendly, he was just a bit reserved. During the Laver Cup, the two bonded naturally through team practices, team meals, and talking strategy during matches.
Team World’s Atmosphere Helped Fonseca to Settle In
Fonseca admitted that he was not so sure about joining Team World at first. Even though it was an honor, he questioned whether the event made sense for him at this stage of his career. But his win over Cobolli gave him the confidence boost he didn’t know he needed. Being around experienced teammates and strong leadership taught him a lot.
Apart from Fritz, Fonseca also found support from Pat Rafter, who was part of Team World’s coaching group. Fonseca admitted that he was a bit intimidated when he first met the Australian legend, but Rafter’s friendly and warm personality broke the ice.
“I actually got a bit closer to Rafter than to Agassi because we spent more time together on the bench,” Fonseca said. Moreover, that mentorship didn’t end with the Laver Cup. Fonseca shared that Rafter even invited him to visit Australia. “In the end, Rafter even invited me to go to Australia someday,” he said.