Medjedovic, Fonseca carrying #NextGenATP champions torch into ATP 250 finals

While the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF prides itself in being a showcase of the sport’s future stars, the past two champions Hamad Medjedovic and Joao Fonseca, respectively, are enjoying a memorable moment in the spotlight now. And they are doing it simultaneously.

On the same day Medjedovic will seek his maiden ATP Tour title in Marseille, where he faces defending champion Ugo Humbert, Fonseca will be playing for an equal triumph in Buenos Aires against Argentine Francisco Cerundolo.

Medjedovic and Fonseca’s form has been building up to this point, whether from the day they triumphed in Jeddah, or more recently, in the past few months.

The 21-year-old Medjedovic and Brazilian Fonseca began their seasons with triumphs on the ATP Challenger Tour. Fonseca did not drop a set en route to winning the Canberra Challenger, his first event since becoming the Next Gen ATP Finals champion.

While many of Medjedovic’s peers were competing in Australia, the Serbian took an alternative path, deciding not to travel Down Under to play qualifying in Melbourne. He instead gained crucial confidence on the ATP Challenger Tour, triumphing in Oeiras, Portugal to secure his Top 100 debut in the PIF ATP Rankings.

Fonseca, 18, went to Australia and followed suit, cracking the Top 100 after making a splash at the season’s first major. The Rio de Janeiro native advanced through qualifying to earn a spot in his first major main draw. He did not stop there. Fonseca upset ninth seed Andrey Rublev in an opening-round, straight-sets stunner.

F🤯NSECA! 🇧🇷

18-year-old showstopper Fonseca is the youngest Brazilian ATP finalist in the Open Era@ArgentinaOpen | #ArgOpen2025 pic.twitter.com/yQOPdjkwBg

— ATP Tour (@atptour) February 15, 2025

Medjedovic has won 16 of his past 19 matches across all levels, dating back to last November, when he made the final at his home tournament in Belgrade. Fonseca has reigned victorious in 18 of his past 20 matches across all levels, including his Jeddah title run. Fonseca is the youngest ATP clay finalist since Carlos Alcaraz won Umag in 2021 — the same season the Spaniard won the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF.

Medjedovic and Fonseca are also tightly matched in the PIF ATP Live Rankings, with the Serbian at No. 72 and the teenager just two places behind. Set for new career highs on Monday, Medjedovic and Fonseca hope to reach that milestone with a champion’s trophy in their possession.

Did You Know?
The 20-and-under Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF does not count as a tour-level title because the event is not open to all tour-level players.