Joao Fonseca announced on Saturday that he will conclude his 2026 season without competing further in the year. The Brazilian tennis player shared the decision through a video on his Instagram account, shifting his focus towards 2027.
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In his message, Fonseca stated, "Hey everyone, just here with an update. As you’ve seen, I stayed out of the Asian swing to focus on my recovery. My plan was to come back in Europe, but after talking with my team, I don’t feel 100% ready to compete at the level I was at, and I don’t want to rush things." He emphasized the importance of prioritizing his health and expressed gratitude for his fans' support, saying, "Thank you so much for your support and your affection, as always. See you on the courts soon."
As a result of this decision, Fonseca will miss the opportunity to defend his title at the Swiss Indoors in Basel, where he claimed victory over Alejandro Davidovich Fokina last October, marking the biggest trophy of his career.
The past summer was difficult for Fonseca, who experienced several withdrawals. He pulled out of the Cincinnati tournament prior to his third-round match and also missed the US Open due to an abdominal injury. In September, he announced that he would skip the Asian swing, which included key events like the ATP 500 in Tokyo and the Masters 1000 in Shanghai. He described 2026 as "a very challenging year for me," noting that he had decided to "listen to my body."
Despite these challenges, Fonseca achieved significant milestones this season, reaching his first Masters 1000 quarterfinal in Monte-Carlo and his initial Grand Slam quarterfinal at Roland Garros. He concluded his season with a record of 20 wins and 13 losses, and he has achieved a career-high ranking of No. 24, which he reached last season.