By Richard Pagliaro | @TennisNow | Tuesday, January 14, 2025
Picture credit score: Hannah Peters/Getty
The “Q” subsequent to his identify signalled 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.
Putting 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 Enviornment.
“I knew the stress was coming. Like I mentioned, all the things was new for me, however for me, I used to be not the favourite,” Fonseca advised the media in Melbourne. “I used to be making an attempt to, like, enter the court docket with simply, Okay, I am an 18-year-old man, he is a top-10 man. I will do my greatest right here. After all, I am assured.
“I do know I can win, however no stress on myself. That is what I used to be making an attempt to do. However, after all, once I was two units to like, I used to be considering a bit of bit extra, Okay, perhaps I will win this match, and I must focus, must maintain pushing. Yeah, the nerves, after all, 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 once I arrived right here, my first objective was to qualify for the principle draw,” Fonseca mentioned. “After all, my expectations are greater now. I need increasingly. After all, I am very proud of the way in which that I performed in the present day with the win, however I already take into consideration the subsequent match.
“It should be a very good one towards a really nice participant. Yeah, need increasingly. I believe that is the mentality of the champion. So I am simply making an attempt to consider the subsequent 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 recreation’s greatest forehands in Rublev, Fonseca fired 51 winners in three units—18 greater than the highly effective Russian.
Fonseca has a aptitude for the massive 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 keen to reverse instructions of rallies taking part in 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 mentioned. “It was simply wonderful. I like taking part in with the group, so for me it was tremendous, tremendous good.”
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 typically 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 marvel 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 mentioned. “After all, I believe everybody wished to play like him. However I even tried, once 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 will go two-handed once more. However, yeah, [Roger] is an idol for me. He conjures up me. Guga, after all, the Brazilian one, he isn’t solely idol as a participant, however as an individual. He is such a pleasant individual. I might meet him, and yeah, I believe these two are my idols.”
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