The third-round showdown at the Miami Open between João Fonseca and Alex de Minaur has cemented its place as a historic moment for Brazilian tennis. The match drew unprecedented attention, becoming the most-watched tennis event ever on ESPN Brazil. This surge in viewership highlights the growing passion for tennis in the country and Fonseca’s rising popularity.
The match led the audience on pay TV at the time, with more than 69% above the second place overall and 71% against sporting events.
The encounter was a dramatic battle, with Fonseca, a promising young talent, putting up an impressive fight against the experienced and tenth-seeded De Minaur. After three intense sets, De Minaur managed to secure the victory with a 5-7, 7-5, 6-3 scoreline. Despite the loss, Fonseca’s performance left a lasting impression on fans, showcasing his potential to be a future star on the global tennis stage.
The record-breaking audience numbers reflect a significant shift in Brazil’s sports viewership landscape, traditionally dominated by football. Fonseca’s growing appeal and the electrifying nature of the match captivated fans across the nation, signaling a bright future for the sport in Brazil. As Fonseca continues to rise, his journey promises to inspire a new generation of tennis enthusiasts.
Alex De Minaur in 2025
Ranked world no.11, De Minaur played his last match on the 25th of March when he was defeated by world no.30 Matteo Berrettini 6-3 7-6(7) in the 4th round in Miami (draw).
This season the Australian owns a compiled 17-6 match record. Alex De Minaur’s most significant result of the current season was reaching the final in Rotterdam.
Joao Fonseca in 2025
Currently ranked no.60 (career-high), the Brazilian played his last match on the 24th of March when he was defeated by world no.11 Alex De Minaur 5-7 7-5 6-3 in the 3rd round in Miami (draw).
This year the Brazilian has a composed 22-5 record. The Brazilian clinched 3 titles in 2025 in the Canberra Challenger, Buenos Aires and the Phoenix Challenger.
Alex De Minaur and Joao Fonseca squared off just on 1 occasion. Their head to head is 1-0 for De Minaur.