Emma Raducanu has lost one of her most unique records in professional tennis — her status as the youngest player to reach one million Instagram followers.
Raducanu burst onto the global stage after her historic 2021 US Open victory, becoming the first qualifier in history to win a Grand Slam and the first British woman to lift a major title since Virginia Wade in 1977. Her fame skyrocketed both on and off the court, including a rapid rise in social media followers. At just 18 years and 10 months old, she became the youngest professional tennis player to reach a million Instagram followers.
However, that milestone has now been surpassed by Brazilian tennis sensation Joao Fonseca, who hit the mark at just 18 years and 7 months. Fonseca’s breakthrough season has been making waves — he climbed to World No. 59 and clinched his first ATP 250 title at the Argentina Open in February.
His rapid ascent has not gone unnoticed. At the Miami Open, where Fonseca reached the last 32, Novak Djokovic praised the youngster, calling him “the talk of the tour.”
“He’s been the talk of the tour in the last several months,” said Djokovic. “Deservedly so. He’s a very good tennis player — so young, with incredible firepower from both ends of the baseline. He’s a very complete player.”
While Djokovic boasts over 16 million Instagram followers himself, his rise on social media began later in his career, well past his mid-20s — making Fonseca’s early achievement all the more notable.
Raducanu, meanwhile, has faced a challenging few years since her breakout, including injuries and changes in her coaching team. Despite this, her 2021 US Open title remains one of the most memorable moments in recent tennis history.
But now, a new generation is emerging — and Joao Fonseca appears to be leading the charge.
