Joao Fonseca draws experience from “legend” Andre Agassi, scores debut Laver Cup win

Joao Fonseca didn’t have the benefit of growing up watching Andre Agassi compete for major titles. The 19-year-old was born 12 days before the former world No. 1 hung up his racquets at the 2006 US Open.

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“We were actually joking about this because he told me, ‘I retired in 2006,’” Fonseca recalled on court after his Laver Cup debut. “I was like, ‘I was born in 2006,’ and he was like, ‘Thanks, man. Thanks!’”

Agassi threw a Team World jacket over his face in mock embarrassment, but the newly-minted Laver Cup coach had plenty to be proud of on Friday night as Fonseca scored a 6-4, 6-3 win over Flavio Cobolli. The win gets Team World on the board after Team Europe won the first two matches earlier this afternoon.

“It’s amazing,” Fonseca said. “I think it’s a lot of things coming from those legends that’s important to put in mind. There’s a lot of things that not only experience tells you, so I’m thankful a lot to [Andre] and to [Vice Captain] Pat [Rafter] for this week and helping me to have more experience.”

Fonseca has gained plenty of experience through what has been a breakthrough 2025 season, the Brazilian making his Top 50 debut after back-to-back third-round appearances at Roland Garros and Wimbledon. Joining Team World for his Laver Cup debut, Fonseca found himself down a break to Cobolli, who himself was playing the team competition for the first time.

From 2-4 down, Fonseca roared back into the match, reeling through the next four games and taking a 5-2 lead in the second before serving out Team World’s first point of the weekend.

“I think my team helped me a lot to stay positive during the match,” Fonseca said. “I got an early break and was a little bit more nervous than usual. That’s normal. I started talking a little bit more with Andre and with the team. I was playing good in the beginning but still a little bit nervous, making mistakes. But after that, I got through, so I’m very happy with that.”

Fonseca enjoyed not only the backing of Team World’s fans but also the voracious Brazilian fanbase that has followed the Rio de Janeiro native across the world through his first full year on the ATP tour.

“It’s a pleasure being here in front of a lot of legends of our sport,” said Fonseca. “It’s an amazing stadium, amazing crowd. Thanks everyone that came to cheer. It really means a lot to play on this court, so I’m very happy.”

Day 1 of Laver Cup will conclude with a doubles match featuring world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz, who will partner Jakub Mensik on behalf of Team Europe to face Team World’s all-American duo of Taylor Fritz and Alex Michelsen, who narrowly lost his singles match to Mensik in a match tiebreaker.