By Richard Pagliaro | @TennisNow | Tuesday, January 14, 2025
Picture credit score: Hannah Peters/Getty
The “Q” subsequent to his identify signaled Joao Fonseca’s qualifier standing on this Australian Open.
By the point the 18-year-old Brazilian blazed previous ninth-seeded Andrey Rublev 7-6(1), 6-3, 7-6(5) in his main main-draw debut, a flame emoji appeared higher branding.
Hanging from all areas of the court docket, Fonseca was pure fireplace.
In a conflict of former junior world No. 1 gamers, Fonseca was not fazed by Rublev’s energy or his debut on Margaret Court docket Area.
“I knew the strain was coming. Like I stated, the whole lot was new for me, however for me, I used to be not the favourite,” Fonseca advised the media in Melbourne. “I used to be attempting to, like, enter the court docket with simply, Okay, I am an 18-year-old man, he is a top-10 man. I’ll do my greatest right here. After all, I am assured.
“I do know I can win, however no strain on myself. That is what I used to be attempting to do. However, in fact, after I was two units to like, I used to be considering slightly bit extra, Okay, perhaps I’ll win this match, and I must focus, must maintain pushing. Yeah, the nerves, in fact, got here, however I mentally stayed.”
The red-hot Rio de janeiro native scored his 14th consecutive win throughout all ranges and his eighth straight Tour-level win.
{The teenager} who warmed up for the AO profitable the Canberra title has swept all 19 units he’s performed in 2025, together with three straight-sets wins in Australian Open qualifying.
This sustained success is compelling Fonseca to recalibrate his Melbourne mission as he realizes simply what could also be doable. Fonseca will face 29-year-old Italian Lorenzo Sonego for a spot within the AO third spherical.
“I believe after I arrived right here, my first objective was to qualify for the principle draw,” Fonseca stated. “After all, my expectations are larger now. I would like increasingly. After all, I am very pleased with the way in which that I performed as we speak with the win, however I already take into consideration the following match.
“It should be a great one in opposition to a really nice participant. Yeah, need increasingly. I believe that is the mentality of the champion. So I am simply attempting to consider the following match.”
Although he’s listed at 6’1”, 162-pounds, Fonseca owns elastic explosiveness off each wings and creates off tempo successfully. Dealing with one of many sport’s largest forehands in Rublev, Fonseca fired 51 winners in three units—18 greater than the highly effective Russian.
Fonseca has a aptitude for the large strike as he confirmed smoking an ace down the T to serve out the second set at love. As a result of he’s a shotmaker prepared to reverse instructions of rallies enjoying down the road off each wings, Fonseca is already amassing a following as a crowd-pleasing participant.
Just like the younger Carlos Alcaraz, {the teenager} engages followers naturally. A number of instances, Fonseca waved his arms after winners exhorting Melbourne followers to make extra noise.
“One-third of the group was Brazilian, so it actually felt like I used to be at residence, individuals cheering for me, calling my identify,” Fonseca stated. “It was simply wonderful. I really like enjoying with the group, so for me it was tremendous, tremendous good.”
How excessive is Fonseca’s ceiling?
ESPN analyst Darren Cahill, who has coached Jannik Sinner, Andre Agassi, Lleyton Hewitt and Simona Halep to the world No. 1 rating, stated reigning AO champion Sinner, who has practiced with the Brazilian teenager, suggests Fonseca might be Prime 30 by the top of this season.
Fonseca flipped the usual script of attacking Rublev’s backhand wing in favor of boldly ripping proper on the Russian’s explosive forehand forcing him to defend the backhand on the run. At instances, Fonseca bolted repeated backhands down the road to the Russian’s forehand generally catching Rublev flat-footed.
It was a shrewd tactical plan as Rublev prefers hitting his fierce forehand from his backhand nook. Realizing it, Fonseca battered his backhand down the road to make Rublev transfer.
Versatility is a Fonseca power. He didn’t simply blast backhands tonight, he hit some sharp angles and befuddled Rublev at instances with backhand drop shot winners.
Although his two hander is a surprise weapon, Fonseca grew up wanting as much as a pair of iconic one-handed wizards—Roger Federer and Brazilian legend Gustavo “Guga” Kuerten.
“I imply, my idol all the time was all the time Roger. I grew up watching Roger,” Fonseca stated. “After all, I believe everybody wished to play like him. However I even tried, after I was youthful, the one-handed.
“I attempted for, like, one week, after which I’ve one thing in my elbow, after which I forgot, I’ll go two-handed once more. However, yeah, [Roger] is an idol for me. He conjures up me.
“Guga, in fact, the Brazilian one, he isn’t solely idol as a participant, however as an individual. He is such a pleasant particular person. I may meet him, and yeah, I believe these two are my idols.”