Tennis is a battlefield of mindset, hunger, and unrelenting passion, and Carlos Alcaraz lives it like few can. In the Roland Garros final, he teetered on the edge against Jannik Sinner, yet summoned raw grit and mental steel to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. That same fierce mentality surfaced at the Laver Cup, where Joao Fonseca mirrored Alcaraz’s focus and fire, turning every rally into a test of resolve. The Brazilian’s mindset, now blazing on the tour, is making waves across the tennis world, proving that on-court brilliance begins in the mind.

During his clash with Francisco Cerundolo, Carlos Alcaraz dominated with sheer power and precision, controlling the court at every turn. Yet in the midst of the match, Joao Fonseca’s mindset flashed as he shared his thoughts on taking down the Spaniard. “I know he’s Carlos. Everyone knows how good he is. But you can beat everyone. Yes, he’s playing unbelievable,” Fonseca told his South American teammate in a break, revealing the quiet fire behind his competitive spirit.

Moments later, he unleashed a raw, fearless declaration: “But I don’t give a f— about Carlos. Believe in yourself.” That mentality, unfiltered and relentless, is exactly the kind of mental edge that can flip momentum and rewrite a match.

This isn’t the first time Joao Fonseca has shown his steel on the big stage. The teenager is actively building his mental toughness, embracing the grind, David Goggins-style. Even last month at the Cincinnati Open, Fonseca revealed how he has turned to books to strengthen his mindset. “I’ve learned to read more! I wasn’t the type of reading guy, so now I’m reading more books. I’m now learning from David Goggins, it’s good. I’ve been learning a lot of things!”

For the uninitiated, Goggins is a New York Times bestselling author, US Armed Forces veteran, ultra-endurance athlete, and motivational icon known worldwide for his extreme mental and physical resilience. Fonseca says the key takeaway from Goggins’ philosophy is simple yet powerful: “Nothing that you’ve (never) heard before, like stay positive, stay fighting,” Fonseca explained. “Like, keep pushing when things get hard, how to stay pushing—yeah, those kinds of mentalities.”

Fonseca’s results speak for themselves. He captured his first tour-level crown in Buenos Aires, making history as the youngest South American to win an ATP Tour title in the Open Era. Despite the spotlight, the teenager remains grounded. “I’m young and doing great, but to reach my dream, I need to focus on my routine, my day by day, so I try to focus a lot on what I need to do with my team and my family,” Fonseca said.

Yet, on the other side of the net, Carlos Alcaraz reminded everyone why he is at the pinnacle of the sport. Alcaraz dispatched Francisco Cerundolo and continues to elevate his game, earning comparisons to soccer legends for his relentless brilliance.

Andy Murray compares Carlos Alcaraz to a soccer legend

When it comes to dazzling tennis, Carlos Alcaraz stands tall at the very top. Fresh off his second US Open triumph earlier this month, the Spaniard leapfrogged Jannik Sinner to reclaim the world No. 1 ranking. His 2025 campaign has been nothing short of spectacular, decorated with seven titles that push his career tally to 23. His fearless shot-making, wicked drop shots, and relentless energy keep fans gasping in wonder match after match.

Even Andy Murray, the former British No. 1 and three-time Grand Slam champion, couldn’t help but feel nostalgic watching Alcaraz play. The man who once stood shoulder to shoulder with Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic is now retired, trading centre courts for golf courses. He recently sat down with The Sunday Times on September 20 to reflect on life post-Wimbledon and post-Olympics, revealing a softer, more reflective side of himself.

Between school runs with his kids and friendly rounds of golf, Murray found time to talk about Alcaraz, not as a rival, but as a fan. He joked about Carlos’s golf swing, calling it “very average.” But his tennis? That left Murray inspired. “He’s a very average golfer, unfortunately for him, but his tennis reminds me of my favourite footballer growing up and I got to see live a few times, which was Ronaldinho,” he admitted.

That comparison carries weight. For those who didn’t live through the golden era of football, Ronaldinho was Brazil’s magician, a player who danced with the ball, smiling as he shredded defenses. A two-time FIFA World Player of the Year and Ballon d’Or winner, his trophy cabinet boasts a World Cup, Copa América, Champions League, and so much more.

For Murray to liken Alcaraz to Ronaldinho is no small compliment; it’s an acknowledgment of flair, artistry, and joy personified on the court. And now, despite the heartbreak of losing the Laver Cup with Team Europe, Alcaraz’s fire remains unshaken. With the Asian swing looming, the Spaniard is ready to unleash his magic once again and remind the world why he’s the sport’s ultimate showman.