Joao Fonseca shares his old image with legend Rafael Nadal. (Joao Fonseca Instagram)
Joao Fonseca was four years old when he first met Rafael Nadal, even taking a photo with him along with his mother. Fourteen years later, the next-gen star recreated the photo with the Spanish legend, who recently retired.
Fonseca, 18, is hailed as one of the rising stars in world tennis with the Brazilian rising to his career-best ranking of 145. He entered the semifinals of the Next Gen ATP Finals in Jeddah on Friday and will take on Luca Van Assche on Saturday for a place in the final.
However, it was his off-court meeting with Nadal that grabbed the limelight. Fonseca met Nadal and was engaged in a long conversation in the players’ lounge with the former world number 1. Later, he posted photos of the two meetings — the first 14 years ago and the second on Friday — on his social media page.
Fonseca met Nadal with the Spaniard when he was in Rio de Janeiro for a tournament. “Rafa is a legend,” Fonseca told the ATP. “I’m a Roger fan, but I also love Rafa. My coach is a Rafa fan. My phone unlock screen is Rafa with a sentence. It has been a pleasure to meet him. Eleven titles in a season is just insane. I will try to do the same.”
The Spanish legend, who retired after a historic 22-year career at last month’s Davis Cup Finals, is spending three days at the 20-and-under event.
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