'Fattening his wallet': John Isner jokes Alcaraz will cash in big against Fonseca in Miami

In recent days was confirmed a highly anticipated exhibition: Carlos Alcaraz will face Joao Fonseca in Miami on December 8. The showdown is set for LoanDepot Park, home of the Miami Marlins in Major League Baseball, with a capacity of more than 36,000 spectators. For fans, it’s a rare chance to watch one of tennis’s established stars take on one of the sport’s most exciting young prospects.

This will be the first meeting between Alcaraz and Fonseca, though it won’t count toward the ATP Tour. The Miami event adds to a busy exhibition schedule for the Spaniard, who has also lined up appearances at the Six Kings Slam and the Miami Invitational. Emma Raducanu and Amanda Anisimova are also confirmed for the Miami showcase, adding extra star power to what already looks like one of the off-season’s marquee attractions.

The announcement comes at a high point for Alcaraz, who recently claimed the Japan Open title by defeating Taylor Fritz 6-4, 6-4 in the final. The Asian swing boosted his confidence but also carried setbacks, as an injury forced him to withdraw from the Shanghai Masters, where he had been the top seed. His return is expected at the Paris Masters in late October, before turning his focus to year-end goals.

Alcaraz’s calendar remains packed after Paris. He is set to compete at the ATP Finals in Turin, followed by the Davis Cup Finals with Spain. Once the official season ends, exhibitions will take over. For Alcaraz, these events are more than entertainment—they showcase his global appeal and growing role as the face of tennis. At the same time, they provide a chance to expand the sport’s reach while strengthening his own brand.

Nothing Major Podcast reacts to the news

As fans digested the announcement, former American stars Steve Johnson, Sam Querrey, John Isner, and Jack Sock broke it down on their Nothing Major podcast. Querrey set the tone: “Let's say tickets go on sale right now. How long until it sells out? It's already sold out before they sell.” His remark reflected the widespread belief that demand for Alcaraz is already off the charts, especially with Fonseca as his dance partner.

Querrey then pushed the conversation further: “If they put them at Hard Rock Stadium where the Dolphins play, does it sell out?” The group’s unanimous reply was no, pointing out the massive size of the NFL venue. Still, they agreed LoanDepot Park—with around 36,000 seats—was the perfect fit. “Miami Arena or American Airlines Arena where the Heat play—that's going to be massive. I love Alcaraz. I like his commitment to year-end exhibitions. Yeah. Spreading the Alcaraz joy around the world.”

Johnson chimed in with high praise: “He is the face of tennis. There's no doubt about it.” Isner followed with a dose of humour: “Fattening his wallet.” Sock quickly agreed: “Yeah, I would do the same.” The banter captured a blend of admiration and amusement at how Alcaraz has balanced superstardom with financial opportunities during the off-season.

Isner returned to the numbers: “36K. They're going to sell that out at 36K for sure. I mean, the Hard Rock is more like 70-something. That's a bit of a different animal, but 36K at the baseball park, they got that.” His comment underscored just how confident the group was that Alcaraz’s star power would fill the stadium. Beyond the jokes, all agreed the Spaniard’s clash with Fonseca would be one of the defining spectacles of the off-season.