Carlos Alcaraz has announced that he will travel to Brazil for another exhibition match against rising star Joao Fonseca. They played each other for the first time in Miami last month, with Alcaraz prevailing in three sets. Both players enjoyed every minute of their good-natured clash and will be running it back in South America next year.

The sequel will be staged in the city of Sao Paulo on December 12, taking place just after next year’s ATP Finals. The two players will lock horns at the iconic Allianz Parque, a football stadium which is the home of Palmeiras. It has enough seats for over 43,000 spectators but the official capacity for the exhibition match is yet to be announced.

The announcement was accompanied by a striking promotional poster, showing both players in action. Fonseca will be hoping to strike back against Alcaraz in front of his adoring Brazilian fans after narrowly losing their first encounter in Miami.

They battled for over 90 minutes, with Alcaraz winning the first set and Fonseca levelling in the second. A tiebreak was required to separate them at the end of the third and final set, with Alcaraz overcoming a five-point deficit to claim the spoils.

Afterwards, he said: “It was really, really special playing with Joao. I haven’t ever played against him, so this was the first time, in this beautiful scenario. Never played in a baseball stadium before.

“So it was really special coming back to Miami in front of these amazing people that bring always a great energy. It was a great opportunity and a special moment.”

Fonseca, meanwhile, added: “It’s tough, he has a little bit of skill and the guy is good, the guy is really good. It’s a pleasure being here, it’s a pleasure playing against Carlos. Very thankful for Carlos, and congratulations.”

The announcement comes just days after Alcaraz suddenly parted ways with his long-term coach Juan Carlos Ferrero.

The pair had been working together for seven years before splitting, with the reigning US Open champion releasing a heartfelt statement to confirm the news.

He said: “We started this path when I was just a kid, and during all this time you have accompanied me on an incredible journey, on and off the track. And I have really enjoyed every step with you.

“We have managed to reach the top and I feel that, if our sports paths had to separate, it had to be from up there. From the place where we always work and where we always aspire to reach.

“There are so many memories that come to my mind that being alone with one would not be fair. You have made me grow as an athlete, but above all as a person. And something that I value very much: I have enjoyed the process. I’ll keep that, with the road travelled together.”