Brazil make history after claiming first Davis Cup Juniors title
The names Joao Fonseca, Pedro Rodrigues and Gustavo Almeida will go down in Brazilian tennis history after they topped the podium at the Davis Cup Juniors by BNP Paribas Finals in Antalya, Türkiye.
Brazil looked a potent threat all week and from the earliest of exchanges at the Megasaray Tennis Academy looked capable of mounting a serious and sustained title challenge, and so it proved.
Fonseca is clearly a prodigiously talented individual and it was he who delivered the decisive point for his nation, defeating Kaylan Bigun of the United States in the second singles match to send his teammates into delirium.
The foundations of Brazil’s victory in a much-anticipated final were laid by Almeida, who accounted for Meecah Bigun – Kaylan’s twin brother – in straight sets in the opening singles tussle. Fonseca was left to administer the knockout blow.
Brazil had never previously tasted Davis Cup Juniors – or Billie Jean King Cup Juniors – glory with their previous best finish coming in 2006 when they finished third behind Netherlands and Russia.
Indeed, it is only the second time after Chile conquered all before them at the 2001 edition that a South American team have triumphed at the Davis Cup Juniors Finals. The scale of the moment was not lost on Fonseca.
“It feels so good,” Fonseca, who made his Junior Grand Slam debut at Roland Garros in May, told itftennis.com. “It’s been an amazing week and we’ve made history for Brazil. This is the first time we have been crowned Davis Cup Juniors champions and it feels wonderful.
“We have all delivered during the course of the Finals and it’s been a real team effort. We fought until the end and we’re so happy. Making history for your nation is something which will live long in the memory.
“Brazil had competed at the Davis Cup Juniors Finals more than 25 times and never won it, so this is wonderful for me and wonderful for Brazil. Knowing the process of developing as a player is working, and this is a big part of that, means so much.
“And to do it with this team makes it even more special. Tennis is often an individual game but here we played as a team and vibed with our friends. There are times when we have been, and will be, opponents but we cheered for each other here, which means a lot.”
The Davis Cup Juniors and Billie Jean King Cup Juniors Finals are viewed as major milestones on a player’s pathway, with the experience at junior level providing inspiration to motivation to strive to repeat the feat as a professional.
Fonseca is fortunate. Within his coaching group is Andre Sa, someone who knows all about the joys of international team competition at senior level and the former world No. 55 has clearly been imparting some wisdom on his protégé.
“Andre has played in Davis Cup and told me some of his experiences,” added Fonseca, who is ranked No. 44 in the junior world rankings.
“He has said that it was his best week of the year and that he had so much fun cheering for his friends. I can see what he means now.”
Brazil's victory ended the quest of the United States to be crowned Billie Jean King Cup Juniors and Davis Cup Juniors champions. The USA were the last nation to do so in 2014 and the modern-day vintage hinted at doing likewise.
While their girls team defeated Czech Republic to triumph in the Billie Jean King Cup Juniors final, Brazil proved a step too far for the boys.
Nevertheless, the whole experience of Team USA in Antalya will be showcased in a behind-the-scenes video.
All on the Line: Team USA, which will be released on the ITF website and ITF social media channels in the coming days, will contain rarely seen footage of aspiring players competing for their nations at an international team event.
Click here for a full breakdown of results.
2022 Davis Cup Juniors
Final placings
1) Brazil; 2) United States; 3) Italy; 4) France; 5) Czech Republic; 6) Australia; 7) Japan; 8) Spain; 9) Argentina; 10) Paraguay; 11) Great Britain; 12) Morocco; 13) Türkiye; 14) India; 15) Egypt; 16) Mexico