Miami Invitational to present first taste of Carlos Alcaraz versus Joao Fonseca

If the past two ATP seasons are anything to go by, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner head the top of the class by a country mile.

The question of who might emerge as a viable challenger to the Spaniard and Italian is a natural topic of conversation. Brazilian sensation Joao Fonseca is one of the potential candidates hoping to create a three-horse race in the years to come.

After bursting on the scene at his hometown tournament as a 17-year-old in Rio de Janeiro during the 2024 season—a significant week that influenced his decision to turn pro—Fonseca produced a breakthrough campaign to finish inside the Top 25. An inaugural title in Buenos Aires, third-round runs at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, and an ATP 500 triumph at Basel were a few of the highlights of note.

What didn’t happen throughout his 2025 rookie season as an ATP-level competitor? The chance to face either of the men who’ve combined to win the past eight Grand Slam tournaments.

That will all change come December 8, in a friendly but big-stage environment. For Fonseca will see how his forehand, among other things, holds up against Alcaraz at the Miami Invitational.

“It will be a day full of learning, super cool, even more so with a guy like him, with whom I've always had a good relationship,” Fonseca told Estadao in a Portuguese translation.

“He greatly encourages us to believe in ourselves and to stay motivated to be better players. He is a tennis player who perfectly represents a way of taking things calmly, always smiling, but at the same time dedicating himself and working hard.”

The special one-night event is set to take over Loandepot Park, home of Major League Baseball’s Miami Marlins. Fonseca will duel the world No. 1 after long-time Miami-area resident Amanda Anisimova takes on Jessica Pegula, a nearby Boca Raton transplant.

“We both really enjoy playing with the fans, the entertainment, so I think it’ll be fun. I hope there’s more fans on my side and that there are a lot of Brazilians in attendance,” Fonseca said. “But I’m sure the vibe on the court will be good either way.”

Fonseca will also join forces with Anisimova in a 10-point mixed doubles tiebreaker slated in-between the pair of singles contests. Alcaraz, who lifted his maiden ATP Masters 1000 trophy at the 2022 Miami Open, is coming off his second year-end No. 1 finish on the back of an eight-title season. The six-time major winner has little doubt in his mind that Fonseca's star will only continue to rise come 2026.

“What Joao has done this year is impressive, breaking 25 in the first complete year that he has played in the ATP Tour. The question of if he will be able to reach the Top 10, Top 5, Top 3 is gonna be really big for him,” Alcaraz said during a virtual press conference last month.

“It’s one thing to reach that position and one thing to maintain your level during the next season. I can see Joao maintain(ing) his level or even improve that, so we will see in the next two years if he will be able to break the Top 10, the Top 5. I think he has important and beautiful things ahead of him.”

Tickets for the Miami Invitational start at $40. Subscribers can watch live on Tennis Channel or stream in the Tennis Channel app beginning at 7 p.m. ET.