Joao Fonseca thanks tennis legend after breaking Laver Cup record with win against Flavio Cobolli
Updated 20/09/2025 at 11:03 GMT+1
Joao Fonseca thanked a tennis legend after breaking another Laver Cup record with his win against Flavio Cobolli. The 19-year-old Brazilian was already the youngest member of Team World in the history of the competition. Fonseca cruised to a straight-sets victory at the Chase Center in San Francisco despite some sticky moments against his Italian opponent.
‘I am just thankful to him’ – Fonseca praises Agassi influence after ‘nervous’ win
Video credit: TNT Sports
Joao Fonseca thanked Andre Agassi for sharing his experience after becoming the youngest player in the history of the Laver Cup to secure a point for Team World with a 6-4 6-3 victory over Flavio Cobolli.
The 19-year-old Brazilian stormed to a straight-sets victory in front of a packed house at the Chase Center in San Francisco, but no one was happier to see him get over the line than his Laver Cup coach.
Agassi could be seen celebrating in a star-studded crowd that also featured 20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer.
Fonseca was just 12 days old when his Laver Cup coach retired at the US Open in 2006, and the Brazilian admitted that their age gap has not been good for Agassi’s ego.
"We were actually joking about this because he said that he retired in 2006, and I said that I was born in 2006," he joked during his post-match interview.
"He was like ‘thanks, man, thanks’.
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Highlights: Fonseca puts Team World on the board with victory on Laver Cup debut
Video credit: TNT Sports
"It is amazing [working with Agassi], when you are working with these legends, it is important to keep in mind the things that their experience can tell you.
"I am just thankful to him for this week and for helping me have more experience."
Fonseca’s victory still left Europe 2-1 up ahead of the men’s doubles, which saw Carlos Alcaraz and Jakub Mensik go head-to-head with the USA’s Taylor Fritz and Alex Michelsen.
Agassi enjoyed a sensational career in tennis, winning all four Grand Slams between 1992 and 2003.
He claimed the Australian Open four times, the US Open twice, one French Open, and a Wimbledon crown.
He has also coached 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic.
Fonseca believes that discussions with Agassi and the rest of his team got him through the tougher moments in his Laver Cup clash.
"I think my team helped me a lot, to stay positive during the match," he said.
"I was a little bit more nervous than usual, it is normal, and then after I started talking it out a bit more with Andre [Agassi] and the team.
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"I was playing well in the beginning [of the match], but I was still a little bit nervous and making a lot of mistakes, but I still got through it, so I am very happy with that."
Fonseca has come a long way this year, producing career-best performances in all four Grand Slams.
He appreciated the chance to compete in front of so many icons of the sport in San Francisco, as he added: "It is a pleasure being here, in front of a lot of legends of the sport.
"It is an amazing stadium and an amazing crowd. Thanks to everyone who came to cheer, it really means a lot to play on this court. I am really happy."
How to watch 2025 Laver Cup
The 2025 Laver Cup in San Francisco takes place from September 19-21, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
The action kicks off at 21:00 UK time on TNT Sports 4 on Friday, September 19.
The second match will follow immediately after, before the action resumes for the second set of matches at 5:00 UK time on Saturday morning.
Coverage of the second day will also start at 21:00 UK time on TNT Sports 3, before coverage of Sunday’s final round of matches gets under way at 20:00 UK time on TNT Sports 4.
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