João Fonseca skips Asian tennis swing due to injuries

Brazilian tennis player João Fonseca has announced a hiatus from his 2026 season to focus on physical and mental recovery following a series of injuries. The 20-year-old, currently ranked 28th in the ATP, will skip the upcoming Asian swing, including the ATP 500 in Tokyo and the Shanghai Masters 1000.

Fonseca’s season has been marked by persistent health issues, including abdominal, back, wrist, and shoulder injuries. Despite these setbacks, he recently returned to compete for Brazil in the Davis Cup, where he secured a victory against Switzerland’s Dominic Stricker. However, he noted that the effort left him physically and mentally exhausted, leading to the decision to prioritize long-term health.

The break may impact his ATP ranking, with projections suggesting a potential drop if he cannot defend points in upcoming European indoor tournaments. He is expected to return to competition in late October for the ATP 500 in Basel, Switzerland, where he is the defending champion, followed by the Paris Masters.