Novak Djokovic has identified three bright ATP prospects who he believes will be “knocking on the door” of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz in the coming years.
The 24-time Grand Slam winner progressed to the last 16 of the Miami Open after a 6-1, 7-6(1) third round victory against world No 65 Camilo Ugo Carabelli. Djokovic, the No 4 seed, will next face 16th-ranked Lorenzo Musetti.
The 37-year-old tennis great is seeking a record seventh Miami Open crown, having secured his most recent title at the Masters 1000 event in 2016.
Sinner, the world No 1, is not competing in Miami as he is banned until May 4 due to failing two doping tests in 2024.
World No 3 Alcaraz, meanwhile, fell to a shock defeat to David Goffin in his opening match.
Brazilian sensation Joao Fonseca, who is 18, has continued his impressive start to the season in Miami by defeating Learner Tien and Ugo Humbert en route to the third round.
After his win over Ugo Carabelli, Djokovic discussed the rapid rise of Fonseca.
“He’s been talk of the tour in the last several months. I mean, deservedly so,” the world No 5 said.
“He’s a very good tennis player. I mean, so young. Just incredible firepower from both ends of the baseline, serve. He’s a very complete player.
“Of course, what is impressive is the way he strikes the ball, but even more so is how he handles the nerves on the court for someone that doesn’t have experience at all playing at the highest level.
“I think everyone knew that he’s going to have quite a support here. He’s exciting for Brazil, for the world of tennis.
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“I was saying back in Australia, for our tennis ecosystem, our sport, it’s super important to have a superstar, future superstar, hopefully coming from Brazil. Such a big country, big market, important.”
The Serbian went on to name 19-year-old stars Jakub Mensik and Learner Tien as players he places in the same category as Fonseca.
“He’s a very exciting player to watch, but he’s not the only one,” Djokovic continued.
“You have Mensik. Maybe because people talk about Fonseca so much, they forgot about Mensik. Tien, as well. All those players are very young, but they have as good of rankings as he does. They’re as good as him.
“I think it’s exciting, I don’t know what I should call it — that generation, the new generation is bringing. It’s always great that you have exciting players to watch and see the players that have potential to reach the greatest heights and to carry this sport.
“Obviously, Sinner and Alcaraz are the leaders of today, still very young. But then these guys, it seems like they’re knocking on the door of Sinner, Alcaraz in the years to come.”
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