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McEnroe tips rising star to surpass Fonseca as tennis’ next big talent on the ATP Tour

Originally posted on HITC | By Callum Davies | Last updated Jul 25, 2025 3:23 PM ET

With Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner firmly in control of the men’s tour, the conversation has naturally shifted to who might be the next player capable of breaking their hold on the game.

The pair have split the last seven Grand Slam titles between them and have faced off in each of the past two finals. No matter the surface, it feels like there is no one who can consistently cause this pair trouble, especially Sinner.

But there is a group of young talent emerging on tour that could eventually rise to challenge for top honours if they keep developing as they are. Joao Fonseca leads that group.

Why Learner Tien could be the biggest young talent in tennis

It feels like Joao Fonseca’s been a name people have talked about for a while, yet it’s easy to forget he’s still only 18.

He draws huge crowds wherever he goes, and at the French Open, fans even showed up in Brazil colours just to support him. Fonseca’s forehand was on full display at Roland Garros, and it certainly lived up to the hype.

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The buzz around him has only grown since John McEnroe called him “the next Carlos Alcaraz” after his run in Melbourne earlier this year. But there’s another young player who might be just as exciting: American teenager Learner Tien, who has also caught McEnroe’s eye.

What to know about Learner Tien

Back in January, he said: “I think he is going to be a formidable force. He is not a particularly big guy, but he sure takes the ball early and hits a clean ball. I like what I am seeing from Tien right now.”

Tien had just beaten Daniil Medvedev in the second round at that point, one of four top-ten wins he’s picked up this year.

Fonseca, by comparison, has one. Tien also made it to the second week of a Grand Slam first, having done so in Melbourne this year. Both players look set for bright futures and have adapted well to life on tour.

But given how much attention Fonseca has drawn lately, it’s worth noting how much Tien has accomplished so far as well.

This article first appeared on HITC and was syndicated with permission.

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