Former ATP icon and 8-time slam king Andre Agassi had only kind words for his youngest squad member Joao Fonseca. Before kicking things off in San Francisco, the legend made an honest confession about the Brazilian’s approach to the game. “He’s a guy who doesn’t need validation from anyone. He’s not intimidated by the environment, he believes he belongs in these tournaments, that he deserves to be here, that he must and wants to continue improving.” Fonseca lived up to Agassi’s expectations, which was evident after Team World’s opening victory on Friday night. All thanks to Fonseca’s heroics. But more than the outcome, it was a two decade old fact resurfacing that left Agassi flushed.

For context, after losing the first two singles encounters, Team World registered their first triumph at the 2025 Laver Cup with that credit going to the 18-year-old Brazilian who showed remarkable stroke-making skills on the court. He beat Team Europe’s Flavio Cobolli in straight sets (6-4, 6-3). However, it was his post-match reaction that made everyone gasp and chuckle in the stadium.

The moment in question happened after the interviewer reminded him of a special connection between him and Agassi. “You born 12 days before Andre retired at the US Open in 2006”, said the interviewer. Fonseca definitely wasn’t expecting such a hard-hitting fact. His tongue in cheek response to this lesser known fact was, “We were actually joking about this because he was like, ‘I retired in 2006’ and I was like, ‘I was born in 2006’ and he was like, ‘Thanks man, thanks.'” And Agassi? He was just reminded that age wasn’t just an opponent across the net that you can stop.

Fonseca then went on to detail his experience of working with the American icon. Sharing his unfiltered thoughts, he continued, “I mean it’s amazing. I think a lot of things that coming from those legends, it’s important to just put in mind. So, a lot of things that you don’t just experience tells you so. Yeah, I am just thanking a lot to him and to Pat (Rafter) for this week and helping a lot to have more experience.”

Joao Fonseca’s amazing performance on Friday night inside the Chase Center also earned him a rare distinction. After besting Cobolli in the singles encounter, the Brazilian became the first teenager, at 19 years and 29 days, in Laver Cup history to win a match since the first edition in 2017. Not to mention, he is now also the youngest player to secure a point (match win) for Team World in any Laver Cup edition.

While he is making his presence felt this weekend in San Francisco, many fans will be shocked to know that Fonseca previously declined to play in this tournament.

Here’s why Joao Fonseca refused the Laver Cup opportunity in 2024

Last season saw the teenager making waves even before his professional debut. Joao Fonseca was earning laurels on the court at the junior level with his impressive, consistent performances. And the future seemed bright when he won the Next-Gen ATP Finals last December.

For a rising player, it usually becomes common to grab any opportunity to witness a growing success. But Fonseca had a different perspective in looking at things around him. Despite the hype escalating regarding his name, he chose to stay grounded last season when a golden chance to play in the Laver Cup came his way.

Ahead of his campaign for Team World this week, he revealed, “I feel more confident, more at ease to come. Last year, I wasn’t ready for that. I was an 18-year-old kid, with no experience in big stadiums and facing the big names.”

The 18-year-old added, “I’m more mature, more experienced in these circumstances. I’m no longer just a promise, now I’m more established, with a ranking in the top 50. It’s going to be really cool.” It will be intriguing to see how far Joao Fonseca can take Team World this time against a formidable side like Team Europe that currently leads 3-1 after the first day’s play.