This weekend, the 2026 Rio Open marks the pinnacle of a tennis generation. Guest of honor Andre Agassi has been in the spotlight all weekend, culminating in a poetic moment when he personally handed the doubles trophy to his young protégé Joao Fonseca on Sunday, culminating in a thrilling comeback with Marcelo Melo.
While in Cidade Maravilhosa, the eight-time Major winner held court with local and international media, offering his signature deep-dive analysis into the career of Joao Fonseca. Agassi, who captained Fonseca in the 2025 Laver Cup, offered a protective but firm perspective on the Brazilian’s recent isolation struggles and the pressure of home expectations:
“Joao should take it as a compliment that people think he has to win every game, but he needs to know that other people’s expectations are not his responsibility. It is his responsibility to improve every day,” he said. “I know it’s difficult because we put so much emphasis on winning and losing that we forget about what we need to do to improve.”
Agassi also reflected on the country where he won his first title nearly 40 years ago:
“It’s nice to be back and have an excuse to go back to Brazil,” he said. “I know firsthand what kind of enthusiasm and environment Brazil can bring to any sporting event. Coming here, I have a special place in my heart.”
