Just days before his highly anticipated exhibition against Carlos Alcaraz, João Fonseca arrived at training with a completely shaved head. The world number 24 stunned teammates and fans with the sudden change, which quickly became a talking point in the tennis community.
A promise kept
The haircut was not a spontaneous decision but the result of a promise made weeks earlier. After winning the ATP 500 in Basel in October, Fonseca agreed to a playful challenge from his coach Guilherme Teixeira: shave his head if he triumphed. “My girlfriend is going to be furious, I haven’t even talked to her about it. It’s something I keep within my team,” Fonseca admitted at the time.
A ritual with history
This is not the first time Fonseca has linked hairstyle changes to his victories. Back in 2023, after winning the US Open juniors at just 17 years old, a similar joke circulated within his team. Since then, shaving his head has become a lighthearted ritual, blending superstition with camaraderie.
Preparing for Alcaraz
Fonseca’s new look comes as he prepares to face world number 1 Carlos Alcaraz for the first time. The match, part of the “Miami Invitational,” is scheduled for December 9 and promises to be a showcase of two rising stars with contrasting styles. For Fonseca, the shaved head is more than a haircut—it is a symbol of confidence and commitment heading into one of the biggest matches of his career.
A mix of humor and ambition
While the haircut has sparked amusement, it also reflects Fonseca’s personality: a blend of humor, superstition, and ambition. As he steps onto the court against Alcaraz, the shaved head will serve as a reminder of the promises he keeps and the playful traditions that fuel his journey in tennis.
Carlos Alcaraz in 2025
LWWWWLWWWW Currently ranked no.1, Alcaraz played his last match on the 16th of November when he lost to world no.2 Jannik Sinner 7-6(4) 7-5 in the final in the Nitto ATP Finals (draw).
Until now, during this year Alcaraz achieved a compiled 71-9 record. The Spaniard has won 8 titles in 2025 in Rotterdam, Monte-Carlo, Rome, French Open, London, Cincinnati, U.S. Open and Tokyo. The Spaniard got to the final in Barcelona, Wimbledon and the Nitto ATP Finals.
Joao Fonseca in 2025
LWWWWWLLWW Ranked no.24 (career-high), Fonseca played his last match on the 29th of October when he lost to world no.18 Karen Khachanov 6-1 3-6 6-3 in the 2nd round in Paris (draw).
This season the Brazilian achieved an overall 39-17 match record. Fonseca clinched 4 titles in 2025 in the Canberra Challenger, Buenos Aires, the Phoenix Challenger and Basel.
Carlos Alcaraz and Joao Fonseca have never squared off.
